Barking

Definition of Barkeology:  Study of Canine Communications

WHY DO DOGS BARK?  WHY DO PEOPLE TALK?

Dogs bark (or vocalize) to communicate a message.  They bark for a variety of other reasons: to alert, out of boredom, to get attention or for the shear enjoyment of expressing themselves. 

Barking is kindred to a human talking.  As humans we can express ourselves in a variety of different ways with our voice:  we laugh, whisper, talk, cry, shout, babble, nag, sing and whistle.  We can do this in a tangential, offensive or boring manner, or we can be receptive, reasonable and responsive (listening, as well as talking and being in the moment while doing it, not planning the grocery list). 

 COMMUNICATION IS A TWO WAY CONNECTION

When humans communicate, they usually expect some kind of response.  Barking dogs do too!  If they don't get it, they will resoundingly bark even more.  With this, most dogs are met with a reprimand and/or forced somehow to stop barking (confinement in a faraway place, verbal or physical reprimand).  This is counterproductive and abusive.

Metaphorically, it would be like a human having a strong piece of duct tape put over their mouth, then placed in a dark room for a few days.  If you couldn’t speak, how would you communicate your emotions, wants, needs, desires and frustrations?  How would you engage someone in conversation, activities or play?  How would you develop your social skills?  Perhaps, you would use improvisation by miming, jumping, drawing, and making frantic bodily gestures.  One way or another, we all need some sort of interaction with another living being or risk suffering severe deprivation and possibly insanity (aka the Wackadoodle Sanitarium).

SHAPE THE BARKING

Dogs already know how to eat, sit, stand, lie down, jump, paw, lick, play and roll over when they join our human family.  They are extraordinarily adept at developing survival and defense mechanisms to cope.  They know instinctively how to bark, whine, yodel or “gurgle bark” (like our deaf American Bulldog).  As human companions, we are not teaching them how to do what comes naturally!  We are shaping when, where and how we expect them to do it, in a savvy manner, among the human population.

As with any other behavior, barking can be put on cue for most dogs.  Dogs are social animals.  They usually won’t bark unless they are left in a position that incites them to bark:  alone on a cable run, loose in the yard, chained to a dog house, in a basement, in a kennel or crate for an interminable length of time, or out on a walk in different locations that they have never been assertively and positively introduced to before.  They need to be socialized and associated with a broad range of circumstances including sights, sounds and smells. 

BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU SHAPE!

Human-imposed situations create a monotonous barking dog.  It becomes a losing battle between owner and dog.  Barking becomes an insidious habit.  For example:  a dog left on a cable run, where s/he can view but not interact freely with children and other dogs playing, will become a barking dog!  Children romping back and forth along the side of the dog, giggling & wiggling (on or off of a cable run) will create a jumping, barking dog!  Plus, the dog will immediately be praised (giggling) and saitisfed (having the children there), thus, the behavior of the barking, jumping dog is automatically shaped.    Essentially, the dog is set up for failure when they are allowed into the home to see if they can behave.  The outcome is a jumping, barking dog in the home:  exactly the way they were taught outside!  Who is responsible?  Pick up a mirror, you are!  These are difficult behaviors to re-shape, but it can be done with diligence and commitment to change and love for the dog.  An easier way:  be pro-active!  Supervise children around dogs.  Supervise children around dogs.  Do not leave dogs in a position to pick up behaviors that will ultimately be blamed for later on.  Taking the dog for a walk a few times a day with the children (or without) makes more sense and is better training.

 PUT THE BARKING ON CUE!

Pretend you are the Maestro of a symphony orchestra.  Remember that dogs have to bark, so eliminating barking isn’t the objective here.  The goal is to orchestrate where, how long, at whom and when you want your dog to perform their “barking symphony”.  As with any behavior shaping, focus on rewarding the behavior you desire tout-suite.  When your dog doesn’t bark for as little as 3 seconds, expediently praise and reward.  Timing is imperative.  If you wait, you have forfeited the opportunity to capture a “magical” moment in directing the musical agenda (barking).  

Begin by snap-shooting silences (ecstasy).  CEASE any tactile contact with your dog like petting when your dog barks. Touching exacerbates barking.  Contrary to popular belief, this does not calm a ”habitually” barking dog.  It may calm a nervous, frightened dog. Essentially, you are giving carte blanche approval to “please bark some more”.  It is contradictory to your goal and a confusing message to the dog!

Get motivated!  Consider shaping barking as a challenge. The game is to strategize what, when, where and how long you want your dog to bark.  Be flexible because this will never be perfect.  It will be a perfect “whatever it is”.  Dogs will inevitably bark at chipmunks, squirrels and other stimuli in “new” environmental locations.  Integrate this into your lifestyle with the dog with socialization.  It takes courage to change and practice to get it right!  

To get dogs to stop barking, if they don’t on their own, is more complicated.  Humans generally get into a “barking chorus” with their dog.  You yell and they bark louder (a barkathon).  The dog is thrilled that you are joining in to serenade the neighborhood!  The neighbors may have a different viewpoint. 

Redirect the barking.  “Listen”, “watch” or “what’s that” are excellent ways to do this.  Change the dog’s mind without setting yourself up to become a “barking butler” (dog barks, you pet and throw a ball).  Don’t throw the ball until you hear silence.  At that moment, just throw it!  Later on add a “shush” at an opportune time so that you make the connection between quiet and bark.