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Puppy Help: My Dog Barks At People In Uniform
Anytime your animal is encountering a uniformed individual it is because they are intruding into your property (from your dog's perspective). But why just people in uniform, you might ask; when...
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My Dog Barks At People In Uniform!
We've all heard the cliche about the disgruntled mail man with the throbbing dog bite from his route. Or the meter reader being chased out of the yard by a particularly upset canine. From UPS guy to door to door salesmen, our pets seem to bark at them all. But why do dogs always seem to get disturbed by those who wear uniforms and bark at them?
First of all, you have to consider who these people are that your dog is barking at. Anytime your animal is encountering a uniformed individual it is because they are intruding into your property (from your dog's perspective).
Be it entering the yard to read your kilowatts consumed, dropping a letter into your mail slot or knocking on the door, this stranger is encroaching on your family's property and space to your dog. Your dog does not know who this person is, they are coming onto his territory and they are doing it for reasons beyond your dog's comprehension. To your dog, they are a potential threat to your safety and a nuisance on his turf. This, of course, upsets and angers your dog enough to bark at him.
But why just people in uniform, you might ask; when the neighbors ring the doorbell, the pooch is as cool as a cucumber. Perhaps it is because most anyone that would come to your home without a uniform on is not a stranger, but is someone that you have specifically introduced him to in a friendly manner. Conversely, anyone in a uniform that would approach your home is not someone you've been able to introduce your pup to, mostly because they are probably someone you would've introduced yourself to, let alone your doggie.
Your dog is barking from the fear and nervousness of a situation they are not familiar with. This sort of anxiety is usually easily aided by training. One thing you can do to get your dog more comfortable with strangers is something called gradual desensitization. What that means is that you are placing him in these unfamiliar situations at a slowly increasing intensity until he is comfortable with even the most intense of these situations. If you don't already walk your dog around the neighborhood, do so and see how he reacts to strangers across the street, strangers approaching on the sidewalk, mail men out in someone else's yard.
You could also take your dog to a busy park with plenty of strangers and engage him in training exercises there. As he gets more and more comfortable as time goes by, be willing to move your training sessions closer and closer to groups of strangers.
Another tip is to distract your dog when he is being approached by strangers or finds himself in a situation that makes him nervous. If the UPS guy knocks on the door and your dog starts to bark, grab a treat and make him sit. Getting him distracted and also obeying is a great way to show him that there is nothing to be afraid of and you have the situation under control.
How to Train Your Dog Not To Bark.
So you've adopted a dog. He loves you, he keeps you company, he runs with you on evenings. The only problem is that he seemingly loves you too much. He barks when you put him to bed or you aren't home. Is there a way to fix this problem or will you forever be plagued by angry notes from your neighbors?
Dogs usually bark for one of two reasons: they are scared or (more likely) they want attention. Habitual barking will always be a desire to get attention as there should be no reason that your dog is perpetually scared.
Oftentimes, without knowing it, we are training our dogs to bark. We shower them with affection and attention, spoiling them right to the second we have to go to bed or leave for work and then they are left with nothing to do. They get bored and want us to entertain them, so they bark. And then, as soon as they start barking, what is our automatic response? "Quiet!" or "Shut up, I'm trying to sleep!" We yell at them, but all this really does is says "If you bark, I will eventually have to give you verbal attention." This trains them that barking will get them what they want, which just feeds the bad habit.
In order to get them out of the habit of barking, we have to stop reinforcing this behavior and treat the actual problem. The problem is that they are spoiled and bored. A good pet owner can fix both of those things.
First of all, your dog doesn't need your attention all of the time. Practice a more distanced relationship with your pet so that he isn't totally reliant on you for entertainment. Sit on a different side of the room from him from time to time and make a habit of devoting a specific chunk of time for snuggling on the couch or petting your pup, do not continue to have physical affection permeate your relationship when you are home. Just because you and your animal are in the same house or room does not mean you should be being affectionate all of the time. Save praise for when your dog does something good or right, not because he is just there.
Another tip is to keep him entertained. Purchase some chew toys or a Kong ball so that he has something to do that is not related with you and so that he will not rely on you for entertainment. Chews and toys should keep him busy while you aren't home and stop him from finding the need to bark.
If things get really bad, desperate measures can and should be taken. Bark collars can be purchased at any local pet store and electrically stimulate a dog when they bark. You can even purchase ones that increase in intensity if your dog continues to bark or if they bark louder. Contrary to popular belief, electronic bark collars do not harm or traumatize your dog. Mostly, they just frighten your dog and get your dog to associate that confusion and shock with barking, encouraging him to no longer do so.
Be a good pet owner and take the time to train your dog that barking isn't accepted. Your sleep schedule and your neighbors will thank you.
- Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about dog training - at http://www.i-love-dogs.com/dog-training.html - and dog supplies.
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