Why does my dog bark?

Barking is a form of communication and is a normal behaviour for dogs. It is unrealistic to expect a dog never to bark, however there are some dogs bark inappropriately or excessively.

Dogs can bark for a number of reasons:

• Some dogs will bark for protective or territorial reasons
• They can even just bark as a greeting or invitation to play. 
• Dogs can also bark if they are bored
• They can bark if they want attention.

Why does my dog bark when it is home alone?

Separation anxiety is a common behavioural problem. Affected dogs will bark excessively when their owners are away. This is often accompanied by other behaviours such as pacing, other obsessive behaviours, destructiveness (often extreme) and inappropriate toileting. These behaviours can often lead to self harm and injury, as well as causing distress to both dog and owner.

Dogs do not act like this to punish you. They are distressed and experiencing intense anxiety and in some cases have panic attacks. 

Treating Separation Anxiety

Treatment for separation anxiety will vary according to the severity of the condition and may involve behavioural modification training, changes in the dogs routine and environment and in some cases medications may be necessary.

• The goal of behavioural modification training is to help the dog become more independent and less anxious. Rewarding for calm behaviour, not making a fuss about departures and return, providing the dog with more physical and mental stimulation will help gradually teach the dog to accept being alone.
• Synthetic pheromone sprays or collars (such as Adaptil collars and DAP spray) may help reduce anxiety in some dogs. These pheromones are released by lactating mothers when they feed their puppies and have a calming effect.
• Some dogs have separation anxiety due to a chemical imbalance in the brain and will require medication to enable them to succeed with behavioral modification training.

Does your dog have an excessive barking problem?

If you are having a problem with barking in your dog we can help you to determine the underlying cause of the barking, such as separation anxiety. We can then help you to determine the underlying cause. Request an appointment online or call us on 4261 9838 to book a consultation.