Yorkshire Terrier Dog

Barking Problem

One of the most frequent complaints about canine behavior is barking. Aside from a biting dog, the barking dog is probably the biggest nuisance for pet owners.

Barking is a natural response to many dogs. They have an inherited predisposition to bark as an alarm when other dogs or people approach their territory. Alarm barking makes many dogs valuable as household watchdogs and is not necessarily undesireable behavior. With a different vocal tone and pattern dogs bark when they play with each other. On occasion dogs bark back at other dogs or join in with other barking dogs.

In addition to inherited tendencies, dogs can also learn to bark if the barking is followed by reward. For example, the dog that barks upon hearing the word "speak" and is periodically rewarded with food and praise. If a dog is never, ever given food or praise again, when it barks after being told "speak", it will eventually stop this type of barking.

Another example is dealing with a dog that apparently barks because, at least occasionally, it is allowed in the house after barking becomes very loud and frequent. If the dog is never allowed in the house when barking, the barking should stop. Sometimes, this doesn't work and it brings up the necessity of punishment. Shouting at the dog or throwing something at it is ineffective.

Sometimes, you can eliminate barking by changing the circumstances which lead to barking. For example, if a dog barks continuously in the backyard when the owners are away, it may not bark while in the house. More on digging, barking, chewing and other undesireable dog behavior can be found on other web sites.

Aggressive Behavior

Aggressiveness can have many causes. One of the most frequent cause of aggression is dominance. Dogs, which are social animals, have a hierarchical system of dominance within their pack. This predisposition to take a dominant or submissive position towards a fellow canine also occurs in relationship to people. The dominant dog frequently threatens submissive individuals to maintain its position and when the object of threats backs off, the dog's position is reassured. An attempt to physically take control of the dog in such situation will likely result to biting.

First, you should try and avoid all situations which might evoke any aggressive signs from your dog. All other family members should totally ignore the dog during the treatment interim. The person most dominated by the dog should take take over complete care of the dog in addition to spending 5-10 minutes a day teaching the dog tricks or simple obedience commands (sit-stay is a useful one to gain control of the dog). These should be fun-and-games situations. Food rewards are highly recommended in addition to simple praise.

The person submissive to the dog should take the opportunity to give the dog a command, which must be obeyed, before doing anything pleasant for the dog.