Dear Curtis

My puppy, Skipper, is 11-months and full of pep. The only problem I have with him is his barking. I guess he hears things and can't help but bark. How can I get him to stop barking so much? When I show him the paper he will stop but only after barking for a while. Thank you for any information that will be helpful.

Bev

Dear Bev,

Wow! Or is it Bow Wow! Second letter in a week about a barking dog! At least Skipper doesn’t howl at the sound of sirens like Tibet does (see Marilyn’s letter at http://www.dogwalkpress.com/curtis/letters/marilyn.htm).

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING ME?

The following list provides some of the main reasons why dogs bark:
• Lack of exercise
• Inadequate yard space
• Boredom
• Not enough human companionship/loneliness
• Inadequate shelter from weather conditions
• Hungry or thirsty
• Medical condition
• Provocation
• Disturbances
• Change to family structure
• Change of territory
• Anxiety
• Alerting owners of potential trouble

As I replied to her, barking is a form of canine communication along with howls, growls, grunts and whines, with each class-of-sound used in a different situation.

While Skipper’s barking can be for a number of reasons (I’ve included a list with this response), the reality is that you find the behavior to be a problem. So, what to do?

Well, you can try putting cotton balls in your ears! It may not stop the barking but it will make it less of a nuisance! Or, you can work with Skipper to break him of this behavior.

Some animal behaviorists suggest teaching a “quiet command” like “sssh” while waving a doggy-treat when the dog starts to bark in your presence. And when the barking stops, to give the treat while praising the dog for being quiet. It’s further suggested that you make the dog be quiet for longer and longer periods of time from when you “sssh” before giving the treat and the praise to it.

Bev, the bottom line is that Skipper could be barking for a number of reasons and that there are different approaches to stop the barking depending on the reason. While there are products that are aimed at stopping or inhibiting dogs from barking (again see my response to Marilyn), I recommend speaking to your vet or an animal behaviorist to explore what the best approach might be for Skipper.

You could also try waiting it out. After all, Skipper’s an exuberant 11-month old and his barking could just be a puppy’s way of getting your attention to play with him. Meanwhile…gotta run. I hear my humans at the door and I just can’t wait to bark how my day was to them!

Curtis the Dog