It is important to manage your dog's barking. Dogs can become nuisance barkers if they are not trained. Uncontrolled barking can cause stress and disturbance for you and your neighbours.
Me pēhea te aukati kurī tautau noa How to control barking
Why dogs bark
Dogs may bark because they:
- feel anxious when left alone
- sense a threat
- are bored
- react to movement or sounds
- are stressed due to hormonal changes.
Train your dog not to bark
If your dog barks at everything that moves, use short, firm words to stop the behaviour.
Be consistent, your dog will learn what is expected. Praise your dog as soon as it stops barking.
Do not console a barking dog. This will reward or reinforce barking.
Barking is part of normal puppy development, but consistent training helps prevent nuisance barking later on.
Training advice on getting your dog to stop barking is available in this guide.
Talk to your vet or an animal behaviour specialist if you are having trouble training your dog not to bark.
Minimise sight stimulus
Avoid leaving your dog where it can see footpaths or passing people.
Confine your dog to an area of your property where it cannot see or react to movement.
You can use materials such as shade cloth or brush stick fencing to block visual triggers.
Keep your dog occupied
Giving your dog something to do prevents boredom and barking at everything it sees.
- Exercise your dog regularly.
- Rotate and restrict toys your dog can play with at one time. Easy access to all toys will easily lead to boredom.
- Place treats in different locations such as:
- around the lawn so your dog can sniff it out
- in a sandpit, if you have one, so your dog can dig the treats out
- hanging on a rope's end so your dog must jump and work for it
- in a treat ball.
- Allow your dog to play with other dogs. This will help your dog learn the difference between safe and threatening situations (when barking is helpful).
- Ask a friend or a dog sitter to look after your dog.
Reduce loneliness or separation anxiety
Your dog may show behavioural problems, like persistent barking, if they feel isolated or rejected from a pack or family.
Dogs can also suffer from anxiety and stress if left alone.
Some possible solutions are:
- daily exercise including play and grooming
- including your dog in the family’s daily activities
- keeping arriving and leaving home low-key
- using a doggy day care
- de-sexing your dog to reduce stress levels.
If you plan to be away for more than 24 hours, arrange suitable dog care or put your dog in a boarding facility.