here are my ideas on how to stop your dog’s barking in the yard.
It’s so frustrating!
You let your pet dog out and he will not stop barking at God knows what … neighbor dogs, passing traffic … the wind?
There’s no easy fix to this problem, but last week we focused on stopping a dog’s indoor barking when the pet dog is home alone.
Today we’ll focus on outdoor barking when the pet dog is in the yard by himself or with you.
The following are some ideas you can try to stop your dog’s barking in the yard. just realize it takes time.
As always, please share your questions or ideas in the comments.
How to stop your dog’s barking in the yard
1. first step – identify “triggers”
What’s causing the barking?
Your dog’s “triggers” could be ANYTHING from squirrels to neighbor dogs to runners to even just being outside without a leash! Like, “Woo! Hoo! complimentary for all!”
Some triggers are not visual but could be things the pet dog hears or smells from a distance such as raccoons, machinery down the road, distant truck traffic, ice breaking on the lake, snowmobilers, etc.
Your dog’s triggers could also be things that have passed through your yard previously such as the scent left behind from cats, deer or coyotes the night before.
Also, lots of dogs have multiple triggers and some just bark out of routine or because they’re bored or have been bored in the past.
To them, being outside equals “Bark! Bark! Bark! because it’s fun and it’s what I’ve done in the past and I’m a creature of habit.”
Your pet dog could be barking because of:
Fear of the activate (Think concern of fireworks, snowmobiles, other dogs, unfamiliar people)
Alerting you to the activate (“potential threat”)
Trying to scare the activate away or announce “I’m here!”
Boredom, because barking is fun or something to do (other problems might be digging or chewing)
Here’s a short video I made going over the ideas provided in this post:
2. find a way to block your pet dog from the triggers
This probably indicates minimizing your dog’s freedom (for now) by taking her out on a leash.
For the time being, you just have to get control of the barking. That indicates avoiding your dog’s triggers or managing her around the triggers if they’re unavoidable.
For example, if your dog’s activate is seeing people walk by on the road, you’d have to let her out at quieter times or take her out on a leash.
By using a leash for now, you’re removing your dog’s option of barking so you can begin teaching her a better response.
3. start your training …
Du vil trenge:
A long lead (15 feet or more)
Highly valued treats
Once you know your dog’s triggers, work with him on a long lead around mild distractions. A treat pouch is also helpful.
With a long leash, you can give him a little a lot more freedom while still being able to catch him and get his attention as needed.
The basic steps:
– Let him wander around on the long lead around a mild activate (if that’s possible). So, if his activate is people walking by on the road, choose a time when there might be one or two people vs. dozens.
– Before he has a chance to bark, calmly but firmly tell him “no” or “hey” and step on the leash. put yourself between the activate and your pet dog and step forward (gently bumping into your dog) so your pet dog has to take a step back. He’ll be less alert and a lot more focused on you. tell him to sit or lie down and reward him with the food.
– Hold the food right up to his nose to get his attention if you have to. Reward him for being quiet and checking out you. keep a foot on the cause stop bolting.
– You can even add a “watch me” command if you’d like. Or “quiet.”
– If he ignores you and takes off barking like a maniac, just stay calm, step on the leash and then calmly walk over and get between him and the trigger. This works better than trying to pull him towards you.
‘But my pet dog doesn’t care about treats when he’s in that state’
To ting:
1. find highly valued food (Wellness Well Bites, real chicken, pieces of hamburger)
2. You’re challenging him too much. minimize the intensity of your distractions.
Remember, all of this takes time!
I’m talking two or three 5- to 10-minute sessions each day for a month. only then will some dogs be ready for off-leash challenges. You’re creating a new habit. That takes time and patience.
Don’t have that kind of time?
Well, a lot of of us don’t!
But, you either make the time or stop complaining about your dog’s barking!
Other ideas on how to stop a dog’s barking in the yard
1. work on general obedience training every day.
Most dogs with severe barking issues don’t respond to the basics like stay, down or come. If he doesn’t listen to you in normal circumstances, why would he listen to you when he’s ecstatic and barking at something?
2. Exercise.
No, this isn’t going to fix your dog’s issue on its own. but it helps. have you walked him each day this week? Does he need a pet dog backpack? Do you need a midday pet dog walker? Does he need pet dog daycare once a week?
3. Why not hire a professional trainer?
If the issue is causing you frustration, don’t put up with it. get some help. Det er verdt det.
4. get your pet dog some puzzle toys. Puzzle toys will give him something to do other than bark! You can also create games for him such as hiding treats in the yard for him to find.
‘But my pet dog only barks when I’m not in the yard’
This comes back to minimizing his freedom (for now). I suggest keeping him indoors when you’re not home or when you can’t be in the yard with him. Then, work with him as provided above.
Also ask yourself, does he really only bark when you’re not home or when you’re not in the yard? Or would he bark if you happened to be in the yard too, but it’s just that you rarely are?
What about anti-bark collars?
Yes, an anti-bark “shock” collar can be one option to the problem if you’re comfortable with that route. I do not hesitate to recommend anti-bark collars assuming the dog’s needs are being met – plenty of exercise, training and interaction.
Sometimes you just have to stop a dog’s barking for legal reasons or for your own sanity. often all the positive reinforcement and patience in the world isn’t enough. So yes, go ahead and use an anti-bark “shock” collar if necessary.
OK, so those are my tips. I’ll link to some related articles below. let me know your ideas in the comments.
Does your pet dog have a barking issue? What seems to help?
Let me know!
Relaterte innlegg:
Stop your dog’s barking at the door
Keep your pet dog calm when people visit
Stop your dog’s barking in the house
Stop dog’s barking on walks
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