Remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine is at her wits end because she is awakened each night by her neighbor’s barking dog? After shouting out the window to no avail, she resorts to “removing” the dog in order to get a good night’s sleep.
We have all had the unpleasant experience of listening to nuisance barking. Whether in the middle of the night or during the day, the question — what can we do about it— still remains. If you are the dog owner, there are several options to remedy the situation; however, they are not without controversy.
Since nuisance barking is the number one problem behavior for dogs, there is plenty of information about how to stop it, but just like raising kids, people are divided on which techniques work. Most people will agree that nuisance barking can be curbed by proper training but not everyone agrees on the best method.
Bark Collars are touted by some as the cheapest, easiest, and quickest way to put an end to nuisance barking. An anti-bark collar may prevent your dog from creating noise all of the time and you from resorting to less effective methods of training such as hitting the dog. However, some believe that they are ineffective, cruel, and inhumane. Since dog shock collars are meant to be a training device, advocates of the collar feel that problems occur when owners do not use the collar correctly. Braxton’s sells citronella collars as well as dogtra collars. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask the helpful staff at Braxton’s Animal Works.
If you are opposed to the bark collar, then perhaps hiring a professional dog trainer is the answer for you. Click here for a list of professional trainers recommended by Braxton’s. If this is not possible, then check out training tips from Ceaser Millan, the renowned Dog Whisperer. Click here to read his “Best Tips to Stop Barking.”
After reading the research I have come to the conclusion that in order to stop an annoying behavior you need to be patient, to be committed, and to follow through with consequences. Keep in mind that the longer your dog has been practicing the barking behavior, the longer it will take him to change his ways. It’s a lot like raising children; set the expectations high and be sure to follow through.
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