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What To Do About A Dog Who Barks Constantly
All dogs bark for a variety of reason and some can include attempting to warn their owner of trouble, or to express some sort of pain or fright. Other times, constant barking can be considered negative behavior as far as we humans are concerned. Dogs in this category are trying to be menacing or simply trying to gain attention.
Whatever the reason may be for a dog's barking, it can often be considered a nuisance by the dog's owners and their neighbors alike. Because of this there are several methods employed to control a barking dog.
The most humane method for controlling a constantly barking dog is to train the dog NOT to bark, or specifically to bark only at the appropriate times. There are many ways to do this, but professional trainers usually recommend a traditional reward/reprimand system and consider these to be the most effective to use.
Still another method to control constant dog barking is to opt for an electronic "bark collar". These collars contain an electric device that delivers a small shock to the dog when it attempts to bark. This shock will not harm the dog but merely startles the dog. The idea is that eventually the dog will associate the shock with his barking and will stop.
The problems with these systems are many, however. Some dogs simply don't learn that the barking is the cause of the negative stimulus, and they will continue to bark despite the discomfort it causes. Particularly furry dogs may not even feel the shock or activate the device because its metal points must contact the skin directly in order to deliver the shock. More often then not, the collar itself is not enough and must be backed up with training anyway.
It is a bad idea to use the bark collars for an extended period of time.
Some owners find the idea of delivering an electric shock to the dog to be "cruel". While that may be a matter of opinion, the collars provide only minor discomfort for a short time and will not actually cause harm the dog.
Yet another type of collar that operates on the same principle will deliver a mist of citronella in front of the dog's nose. Dogs hate the smell of citronella and will soon realize that it is caused by the barking. Success rates for citronella collars are comparable to those of the electronic collars.
Another method of controlling constant dog barking and by far the most inhumane is to have the dog undergo de-barking surgery. This procedure involves removing a bit a tissue around the larynx of the dog, rendering it unable to bark. The surgery doesn't always work and most vets will not recommend this extreme measure.
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