It is a paradox. The biggest suburban dog problem usually causes the owners of the dog no problem at all. At least, such is the case until this particular problem is reported to the local council. Then the dog owner has a big problem.

The problem is that of the barking dog. Many dogs bark incessantly in their owners absence, much to the annoyance of the next door neighbours who are left to battle with a constant barrage of barks blasting across the fence at all hours of the day and night. In many cases, the owners are not even aware of the problem until they are visited by a stern faced council official or they find the dog has been baited by an irate neighbour.

Perhaps your dog also barks at night when you lock it in the back garden or when you chain it up for the night. It may not cause you to loose sleep because, if you chain the dog at the bottom of the garden, you may not even hear it, but you will be sure it will keep the neighbours awake.

To prevent or solve the problem we must concentrate on the origin of the behaviour rather than the bark itself, which is only a manifestation of a deeper behavioural problem.

Dogs have three different types of bark, namely the play bark, the alarm bark and the frustration or attention-seeking bark. It is the frustration or attention-seeking bark that is the biggest problem. It is found in cases where the dog is isolated from the family such as when the family has visitors or has gone out. The basic problem is boredom. As dogs are by nature social or pack animals, they are not happy when isolated from other members of the pack, which in this case is the dog’s human family. When isolated, it is natural for them to bark to gain attention. If nobody is home, then the bark serves only to annoy neighbours.

To overcome the attention-seeking bark, we need to confine the dog in its own pen or den. This is a very useful procedure as it stimulates the natural place in which a pack dog would sleep. Wild dogs choose to sleep and rest in dens generally consisting of a hollowed out log or cave in an embankment. When inside these dens, they are safe from other marauding dogs and they are warm, dry and comfortable. The wild dog never barks inside its den as this would advertise its location. When in its den, the dog is serene and relaxed, and certainly not anxious. 

Thus to sidestep separation anxiety problems, which include hole digging and ripping clothes off the line as well as barking, you should create a den for your dog to sleep in and lock it in the den when you leave for work.

To create a den, select or make a small room about six feet by eight feet. A laundry, tool room or bathroom is often ideal. Put a comfortable bed in that room for the dog to sleep on and put the dog’s water bowl in the room. Leave it there at all times so that, even if the dog is free in the garden, it has to go into the room voluntarily to get a drink. Most importantly, whenever the dog is fed, give the food in the den.

While feeding the dog, make a big fuss and elicit as much tailwagging happiness in it as possible. Then command the dog to sit and make it stay for several seconds before commanding it to eat its food. When the dog is eating, leave immediately and lock the door of the den behind you. Return in 15 minutes, release the dog and play with it.

In this manner, the dog associates happiness with being locked in his den and with being released from it. Happiness is the direct opposite to anxiety, thus this procedure will dispel every trace of anxiety and the dog will enjoy its period of confinement.

You will like to rekindle the dog’s happiness by giving it a small food reward when you confine it in the morning before leaving for work. I would recommend feeding meaty bones in the morning. In the afternoon feed table scraps and/or more meaty bones.

Boredom can also be avoided by using a ‘Buster Cube’. This is basically a cube made out of very strong indestructible plastic in which you put some dry food. The dog will smell it and try all day to get at it ….. in vain!

For the more problematic dog you may have to resort to other training devices which discourage nuisance barking. These include ultrasonic collars (The Silencer), low voltage dog collars, and the Citronella dog collar.  

Professional trainers such as Barkbusters, will also be successful in giving you techniques to control the nuisance barking.

Surgical debarking is regarded by most Veterinary bodies as unethical and is not done by most veterinarians. In any case the animal still attempts to bark and emits a noise like a muted goose honk.

Do not allow your dog to bark incessantly. Always chastise it and command it verbally to stop. Start early and continue to reinforce the training. Prevention of this all-too-common problem is best before you get a knock on the door from a council officer, or a justifiably irate neighbour.