Question: My 3-year-old Maltese barks at anything and anyone. It makes our neighbors crazy, as well as my wife and myself. What shall we do? — Bradford
Answer: Barking can be really annoying. Your dog may be barking just for fun because she is understimulated; because she is scared; or for your attention. Most often, dogs bark at everything in sight because they are scared and defensive.
There are easy solutions regardless of your dog’s motivation for barking.
1. Block off the windows and doors including the back of the sofa where she probably plants herself to look out of the window. This way, she won’t be able to see the stimuli outside.
2. Distract her when she is barking so that she can engage in something else. You can call her to you or send her to her bed. Make sure to reward her for this behavior so that she has a competing motivation.
3. Make it clear that barking is not acceptable by ignoring her when she barks at you for attention. In other words, if you don’t like barking, you shouldn’t reward her with petting, freedom to go outside or a treat when she is barking at you.
4. Keep her busy with puzzle toys, and exercise her well.
A long-term solution would include meeting with a qualified behavior professional to make a plan for your dog so that you can change her emotional state and stop the barking entirely.
Dr. Radosta
Lisa Radosta DVM, Diplomate ACVB
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
PO Box 210636
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33421-0636
561-795-9398
www.flvetbehavior.com
Read more articles by Dr. Radosta | Ask her a question
Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/12/20/maltese-barks-at-everything-can-anything-help/
No comments:
Post a Comment