Deter Dog Barking

Does your dog  bark incessantly   and  at the  wrong times.

Well you are not alone, constant barking is one of the most

registered complaints of dog owners. But there are measures you can take to deter dog barking in your home.
Dog Training

Here are a few remedies you can take to quiet your dog:

     With hold attention from your dog when he's barking.

In essence ignore your dog when he's barking, for as long

as is necessary to get him to stop the unwanted behavior.

Don't talk to him, definitely do not yell at him. He'll think

that you are barking along with him. If it takes an hour for 

him to stop so be it. When he stops the offending behavior

reward him with a treat. You need to be consistent with this

approach, don't look at him or acknowledge him in any way

as long as he continues the noise , if he stops even momentarily reward him with a treat. As he begins to catch

on lengthen the amount of time it takes for him to be rewarded. You can make a game of it , tell him good dog 

when he stops and pet him along with giving him a treat

to reward him for giving you the response you want.

For these techniques to work best everyone in your

household must be in accord with this training approach.

Consistency from family members regarding your dogs unwanted behavior will help your dog receive 

 his lessons in a manner

that will encourage a smooth progression in his learning

process. If your dog is prone to bark at passersby viewed

from your living room window handle this by drawing the

curtains or removing your dog to another room in the house. When you take your dog out for a walk and he barks

at an oncoming stimuli you can manage the situation with

a good supply of doggie treats. When an oncoming pedestrian causes your dog to bark try giving him a treat,

as the person moves out of range stop giving treats. By

doing this you can condition your dog to view oncoming

pedestrians as a pleasant encounter, not a threatening one.

This approach can work equally as well with approaching dogs. As you see a dog approaching you if

your dog begins to bark start feeding him yummy doggie

treats as the dog moves out of sight stop feeding him treats. It will probably take some time for this lesson to take

hold , but again consistency is key.

Get your dog to be quiet on command,paradoxically in

order to teach your dog to be quiet, you first have to get him

to bark. Command your dog to "speak", get a family member to do something you know will get your dog to bark. Perhaps knocking on the door will cause the dog to bark. Allow him to bark a few times then pat him on the head and give him a treat. Repeat as often as it takes for him to bark when you say "speak".

Dog Training

After you've gotten your dog to "speak" on command 

then you can teach him to be "quiet" on command as well.

Place you dog in a quiet setting give him the command to

"speak", when he starts barking give him the command to

be "quiet" place a treat in front of his nose when he quiets

pet and praise him and give him treats. Repeat the process

until he's learned the lesson. As you can see dog ownership is an evolving process , you learn your dog as

he learns you. Make sure you get your dog plenty of out

door exercise, a dog that is bored is more likely to bark

for no obvious reason.A dog that gets sufficient mental

and physical stimulation is a good and happy dog.

             

Why Choosing the Right Dog Breed is Important

Getting a dog is a long term commitment. Depending on the breed, a dog can expect to live between ten and fifteen years, with some making it to even older ages. Imagine how long that time would feel if you are stuck with the wrong type of dog! Even worse, if you do find yourself with a dog that does not fit in with your life, would you take him down to the shelter, knowing that he would probably end up being put to sleep? A dog is just about the only family addition that you can make where you can take some time to truly consider all aspects before leaping in with both feet.

Dog Training

There are several things that you must consider before going out to look for your new pet. First, how much space is in your home? Are you already tripping over each other? If you said yes, then by all means skip the labs, the mastiffs and the Saint Bernard's.  Do you have a big house and a big yard? Then by all means feel free to look at the dogs that could double as ponies.

Next, consider your family makeup. Do you have any young children in your family? If so, then skip the dainty, yappy dogs that tend to be high strung and frankly tend to bite. Any dog that looks like it would need more accessories than your teen daughter to be happy should be a no if there are toddlers or young children around. Also, if you are a fairly busy and active family, these dogs, including the poodle, the Pomeranian and Shih Tzu should be a no, as they require lots of grooming and will need to be clipped frequently. Dogs for families with young children should be sturdy, well mannered or easily trained and less likely to bite. These include the pug or the puggle, the golden retriever, and the cocker spaniel.
Dog Training

Also, consider your family's activity level and favorite hobbies. Do you like to spend the day at the river or lake, fishing and swimming? Consider a water breed that would be happy joining in with your fun. These would include the labs, and spaniel breeds which come in a variety of colors and sizes. With adequate exercise and training, either breed would be a good family addition, but if they are allowed to become bored, might be destructive.

And finally, consider a blend of the best breeds- the mutt. Many of the best dogs are not purebred at all, and rescuing a Heinz 57 from a dog shelter is more rewarding than all of the pedigrees in the world.

What to Know Before Adopting a Pet

Before getting a pet, no matter where you get it from, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, and foremost, make sure that your entire family is ready, willing and able to care for a pet. Make sure that there is total agreement about the type of pet that you will be seeking. And, make sure that everyone knows what type of pet is absolutely not allowable for any reason!

If you are a first time pet owner, make sure that you understand what that means, exactly. Do you know the basic needs of the pet that you have in mind? Do you know the approximate expense involved? Adopting a pet means adopting an entire lifestyle as well, so do some research on the various breeds of pets to make the best choice for you and your family. If there is any possibility of allergies with your family members, then by all means visit shelters and pet shops and watch for reactions before making the leap. Also, consider taking your children to areas where they might interact with different animals and watch how they behave. Some children are just not big animal lovers, and they should never be forced to pet or talk to one, especially if they are afraid. A fearful child may make a dog or cat apprehensive enough to bite.

Where you live will determine the size or type of the pet that you should look at adopting. If you are an apartment dweller, your lease may not allow any pets at all, or may restrict you to certain small, caged pets. Small homes and small yards will rule out larger breed dogs who need lots of room to roam and stretch out their big legs. Some toy breed dogs are not appropriate with younger children- they tend to be hyper, delicate and will nip at the drop of a hat. Make sure that you ask lots of questions during the adoption process- if you do not know what to expect of a certain breed, make sure to do the research, ask the questions or look for another pet option.

Again, before even going to the shelter to adopt a pet, know what you would like to find, and what you do not want to bring home. Make sure that everyone knows from the start of the process what your intentions are- including the shelter staff. Do not let an overzealous worker talk you into a pet that is not really right for you or your family. This is a serious commitment, and not one that should be taken lightly.