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What About Separation Anxiety?Ī recent study confirmed what many dog behaviorists and owners already know: separation anxiety in dogs is a complex problem. Once you identify what triggers his barking, you can go about reducing or eliminating that trigger. Keep in mind that as the dog’s trainer (or animal behaviorist), finding the function of the behavior is important. But if his barking continues, you might need to play detective and explore beyond the simplest solutions. If your dog is barking because he’s bored, providing a distraction to keep him busy - e.g., a Kong filled with treats or a “brain puzzle” to keep him entertained - may solve the problem. These devices detect barks and sends a high-pitched sound that only dogs can hear. There are several anti-barking devices that do not involve collars.
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Online reviewers report that some dogs learn to bark in tones and frequencies the collar does not detect. This collar is seen as a humane alternative to shock bark collars. There can be a problem when more than one dog is barking and the collar is sometimes hard to fit on very small dogs. Citronella is made from the oils of lemongrass, and it is often used in perfumes, candles, and incense. Citronella collarsĬitronella collars spray a burst of citronella when the dog barks. The idea is that these approximate the household sounds when the owner is present. Familiar soundsĪ common suggestion by trainers for dogs who bark when owners are gone is to leave the dog with some familiar sounds such as a radio or television. This is a behavior that is incompatible with barking. Treats can be placed inside a Kong toy, and the dog will work to get the treats out. There are a number of commercial and homemade products that give your dog something to do while you’re gone. If possible, have a dog walker come mid-day.
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Tired dogs are more likely to want a quiet rest time. Make sure your dogs have an adequate amount of exercise before you leave in the morning. Instead of being ousted from the neighborhood, try these tricks to distract or redirect his behavior from barking, courtesy of Mary Burch, Ph.D., Director of AKC Family Dog and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Boredom, restlessness, fear, and separation anxiety are all common reasons that your dog might bark and whine while you’re gone. The barking and whining is driving your neighbors nuts. But as soon as you leave, he can’t keep his mouth shut. It’s a common problem, but an annoying one: Your dog is well-behaved when you’re home.
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