If your dog is barking a lot, you’re not alone!
Whether purchased from a breeder or rescued from a shelter, Americans have been bringing companion animals into their homes at an unprecedented rate since the global coronavirus pandemic and accompanying shutdowns started over a year ago. Unfortunately, a significant number of these dogs have been deprived of a proper socialization experience, and now they (and their humans) are suffering the consequences.
Trainers have been inundated with inquiries from folks whose dogs are triggered by the sight and sound of people and dogs not living in the home. A large percentage of the “pandemic puppies” I’ve met become hyperaroused and explode in a frenzy of growling, barking, lunging, charging, and jumping when they hear sounds coming from outside the home like other neighborhood dogs barking and neighbors talking in an outdoor voice, or (heaven forbid!), the sight of someone in their own yard.
So, what’s a concerned pet parent to do?
Identify Barking Triggers
First, figure out why your dog is barking, because they’re trying to communicate something to you! Use their body language and context cues to help clarify this. If you suspect they’re frequently engaging in defensive alarm barking at home, use effective management strategies to prevent your dog from “practicing” the unwanted behavior by identifying common triggers.
If your dog plays self-appointed sentry at the front door, close the door or use a visual barrier like window privacy film placed far enough up the glass to block their view. If external sounds are setting them off, use a sound buffer such as a white noise machine played at low volume, along with Through a Dog’s Ear or iCalm Dog (calming music for pets).
Training Tips for Barking
Next, implement ways to help your dog settle down in general, such as by providing adequate daily mental enrichment opportunities to tire them out in a way that promotes relaxation. A great resource for inspiration is Shay Kelly’s book Canine Enrichment, along with her Facebook group page of the same name. Calming supplements like Composure from VetriScience Laboratories or NutriCalm by Rx Vitamins for Pets can be very helpful, too. You may also want to speak with your pupper’s veterinarian to get their recommendations.
Last but not least, work with a qualified, certified positive reinforcement trainer. Modern trainers use current behavioral science and fear-free methods to help dogs learn calm, thoughtful behaviors to replace knee-jerk stress reactions by changing the dog’s emotional response to anxiety-inducing triggers.
If you’re in the Kansas City area, or are interested in virtual training, learn more about my services here.
You can also find certified modern trainers through the Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners (KPA CTP) directory, The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) directory, the Fear Free Certified Professional directory, and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) directory.