Quieting a Noisy, Barking Dog

Dogs bark for several reasons. It could either be a warning against a coming intrusion or they could be an expression of either pain or fear. These are valid reasons for barking but sometimes, they only want to appear fierce or simply, they want to attract attention. This could be quite a nuisance to their owner or to anybody else who happen to be near and hear their barking. So, to prevent this, some ways have been made to prevent them from happening.

As of now, training has been the most effective way of controlling dogs from barking. They train dogs when to bark, and when not to. You can accomplish this through several ways, but most trainers agree that the usual reward and punishment would work as the best motivator for this aside from being the least hurtful.

Other people choose the electronic "bark collar," to help stop their dogs from barking. This collar has a device which is triggered when your dog barks. It releases a very small electronic shock which will startle the dog and will eventually keep him from barking after he learns that it is his barking that stimulates the shock.

This method may not work sometimes specially if the dog has a lot of fur or is hairy, because the metal points may not be able to touch their skin. If this is the case, the dog will not stop barking. Still, other dogs, may not stop barking despite the electronic shock. And aside from that, it is not good to expose dogs to these shocks for a long period of time. So, you may need to put them under training, too.

For dog owners who find the thought of their dogs being shocked as cruel, they may find the citronella collar to their liking. Although, the shock does not really impose a serious harm for dogs, as they are only mild enough and of a very short duration, this alternative will suit them best. When the device is triggered by the dog's incessant barking, it will release a fog of citronella, which dogs really hate. It is as successful as the electronic variety.

The most extreme method, however, is for the dog to undergo a surgery that will render disable it from barking. This involves the removal of a tissue in the dog's larynx, thereby removing its ability to produce a barking sound. Some people may find this procedure as something "inhumane" so some stay away from this option. But, since the dog will be able to regain that ability after a few months anyway, this may not seem to the best option for eliminating that incessant barking.

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