Helpline: My Puppy Won't Stop Barking!

 

photo from blurtit.com 

Just like how some human beings cannot stop talking, doggies and puppies use barking as a way of communicating with their human friends and fellow dogs!

However, when barking gets excessive and loud, that when we need to step in to do something! We have to first identify for what reasons do our doggies bark, so that we may work on removing that behavior!

1) Anxiety Barking
Doggies are pack animals, therefore, they become anxious when they're being left alone. To teach the little ones that it is okay with being alone, crate training is said to be one of the best methods.

The puppy could be placed in  his crate with his toy and perhaps a towel. you may then leave the room for a while. It is expected that the puppy will start to cry, bark or bang on the door of his crate. It is very very important that you do not give in and attend to him when he does so. Come back to him in about 5mins, at a moment when he's being calm and quiet. The lesson to be learnt is that being alone is not something bad and he certainly does not get his way with barking.

When you come back in and he is waiting calmly for you, give him praise and attention, and perhaps a reinforcement. Do not look at him in the eye or give him too much attention when you come in, and make sure he doesn't show too much excessive licking or excitement before you open the door. Most important thing to look out for: Calmness.

This exercise should be repeated as frequently as possible, varying the time that you puppy is being left alone, and the doggy could be crated up to three or four times a day.

2) Boredom Barking
Some doggies bark simply because they're bored and they find that when they do so, someone will come and tend to them and give them the attention they want!

So here're somethings you could do to take away that boredom for your furry friend!:
- Keep his mouth really occupied with a really good chew toy! 
especially those with bells (sounds) or those with compartments where you may stuff a treat or some peanut butter! Getting a hard chewtoy would take away the doggy's desire to chew your furniture away and it is also something that takes considerable time and energy! Contact us for recommendations for chewtoys!

- Walks, runs, swims!
exercises always take away or exhaust the doggy's energy away! suitable amount of exercise usually takes the doggy's mind off barking. and be sure to check out the breed before you get your doggy as some breeds do require much more exercise than others!


Apart from boredom and anxiety issues, one other very important thing is to socialize the doggy from young! If the puppy is isolated from company, he will grow up to be more timid and jumpy (thus, bark easily when startled).

Here are some places that we suggest bringing your furry friends to one of these weekends!

1) Swimming pools for dogs (the one at Upetgamart, Pasir Ris Farmway 1 is great for east-siders); apart from some splashing good time, there are plenty of doggies to interact with as well!

2) Dogs Parks/Runs ; These are places you can safely let your dogs off leash and don't have to worry about them running away! It's also great that dogs spend some time off leash and out having a good time with other playful doggies! Doggies and owners may have some kind of workout together while getting to know other like-minded doggy lovers and their furry friends too!
[Do leave a comment if you know of any other places to bring your furry kid ! (; ]

Having a furry bestfriend isn't the most fun activity one can ask for, especially in the initial stages. Please be patient with your little one, and give it proper guidance and training. A great deal of reading up on our part is also extremely necessary. It takes a great amount of affinity for this little one to land up in your cosy home, so hang in there, they'll give you much more in return! (:

Stay tuned for part II where we're share more about excessive barking and introduce an exercise that can help refocus you dog!