Old Dog, New Trick: Teaching Your Older Dog Not to Bark

by Amy Nutt

Many people believe the old saying “You can`t teach an old new tricks. Fortunately, when it comes to old that bark, you CAN teach them new tricks. Obviously, it is easier to train a not to bark than it is an elderly , but this doesn't mean it's impossible.

Whether you have raised your dog from a and missed teaching him to be quiet along the way or are getting an older dog from a friend or even the local pound, it`s important to teach your canine friend some dog obedience and not to bark needlessly.

Why Bark

There are several reasons why your dog is barking and not all of them are bad. While you don't want the steady barking of a nervous animal, you certainly will want your pet to let you know if there is an intruder or if someone needs help. Understanding the method behind the madness will give you a far better chance of training your dog the right way.

Fear: Is your dog afraid of thunder? Perhaps he barks only around strange men, like the mail carrier. This is quite common, but it doesn't need to be permanent. Letting dogs have a safe place to retreat to can really help with this type of barking issue. A safe spot to curl up with a favorite toy and a will help your dog relax and keep busy for a bit.

Lack of attention: Dogs are social creatures and they often live to please their humans. If you are out of the house for long periods of time, you dog is probably suffering from separation anxiety. To help him get over this, be sure to take him with you sometimes and to take it slowly. For example, just go outside the door for five or ten minutes while leaving some treats and new toys for your dog.

Boredom: Your dog could be barking simply for something to do. If you notice that your canine pal is extra active, scratching at the door or chasing silly things, chances are he needs something better to do. Giving your dog a chore will help him feel happy and useful and will get rid of that bark. Teach him a new trick or play fetch in order to keep him busy. New toys can also be used.

Change: Some dogs are more sensitive to change than others and if there has been a recent move, death in the family or other drastic change, your older dog may be barking for this reason. In this case, it is often a matter of letting your pet become accustomed to the new situation. If there is someone missing, it can be helpful to give your dog a piece of their clothing.

Teaching an Older Dog Not to Bark

Dogs that are over five years may be a little more difficult to train not to bark, especially if this is not a recent development. Many pet owners have unintentionally taught their dogs to bark by responding to them when they make noise, often from the time they are puppies. This just lets the dog know that if he wants attention, he only needs to start barking.

Patience will go a long way in teaching your older dog not to bark. Since this is an ingrained response, the longer your dog has been barking, the longer it will take for him to unlearn the behavior. Rewarding good behavior and teaching the command, ?Quiet? will help you get your dog to understand that barking isn't a good thing to do. Over time this dog training will improve your relationship with your dog. Most dogs are happy to please their humans and once they realize that you want the behavior to stop, they will usually attempt to comply. Again, patience is key.

About the Author:

Bestsellers and Hot Products


You May Also Like These Topics...

How to find the perfect dog trainer?

You love your dog and you have decided that you need a little professional help with training. Don't worry all relationships need some support at one point or another. But with all the recommendations from family, friends and your local dog community, how do you find the RIGHT dog trainer? Who knows what they are […]

The “No-Choke” Collar

Puppies are so adorable, the look that they have on their face when they look at you is heartwarming. Whenever a puppy is adopted, it becomes a family member forever. dogs or puppies are known as “man's best friend” because of their loyalty, companionship and the affection they have towards their owner. Those puppy dog […]

What You Need to Know Before You Get a Puppy

A puppy can come to be your best buddy as well as a devoted companion. However, you have to learn what you are getting into before you go out and purchase a puppy from a dog breeder. I have been working with dogs for quite a while now and feel capable of sharing a couple […]

Everything You Should Know About Dogs & Puppies Before You Get Them

If you are an animal lover, you probably adore seeing puppies. The main reasons for that are due to their playfulness, adorability, and affection that will drive happiness towards your life. Therefore, we can say that everything we adore in puppies is something that gives us a boost to buy a new one. However, that […]

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Previous Post
file000188823032.jpg
Rottweiler

Rottweiler Breeders And How To Find Them

Next Post
dogs2028.jpg
Dog Health

Dog Health Diagnosis and Holistic Dog Health

Leave a Reply

0 Shares
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Available for Amazon Prime