Talking Vs. Barking

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

You may have noticed by now that people walk on their hind legs, and some are pretty awkward doing it. Be careful not to get in the way of their feet. You are also expected to watch your person’s hands. Hands can tell you things to do, or not to do. (They also give you dinner and goodies.) In addition you are expected to listen when your people talk and, what’s more, they think you should be able to do all these things by the time you’re a few months old. Of course, none of these rules apply to their own babies.                        

Here are some tips. Listen when they talk, but do not listen if they shout at you. Until they have stopped barking you may “sit” and watch them, or cover your ears, hide under the nearest bed, or spread yourself against the back of your crate. Do not, whatever you do, bark back.            

Barking is one of the things you probably do (or will do) best, and we could discuss it for hours, but hours of barking can get on everyone’s nerves. Your natural voice (the bark) affects people in strange ways. Sometimes they’ll scold you because you are barking, and other times because you aren’t. Generally speaking, you can answer the doorbell but not the telephone. Bark whenever you feel like it, and pay no attention to “shut up” or “knock it off” which are rude. However, stop immediately if your person says, “No bark.” That has simplicity. It shows good manners on their part.                               

Never bark when you’re alone, unless there’s a fire. The other exception is a burglar. (If the burglar turns out to be Uncle Harry, you’ll look like a jerk, so hide!)  What is called “idiot barking” will bring in the Canine Control Officer summoned by the neighbors, so shape up or you’ll be shipped out. Growls at people, even little ones, are strictly forbidden. “Good dogs” do not growl except sometimes at their toys.

A Word to the Good Dog’s Owner:

Chewing, digging, barking – are all things dogs do naturally, yet each one becomes a no-no when done at the wrong time in the wrong place as humans see it. So we’re back to square one, better known as One-Word Prevention. Teach Rufus how, when and where these normal canine instincts meet with your approval, and also how, when and where they do not.  We’ve gone over the problem of undesirable chewing and how to prevent it – with “Leave it,” or end it with “Drop it” both said as one word – and we covered digging last week. 

That brings us to barking and the biggest mistake made by new puppy owners that turns barking into a problem.  The dear little puppy barks for the first time and everyone smiles and tells him how cute he is. He yaps some more and his people chat back at him still telling him what fun it is to hear him talk.  Well, friends, do that a couple of times and you have no one to blame but yourself for future unwanted, nuisance barking.  A few barks during play is okay, but if you make a verbal reply to each and every bark, you are merely keeping up this form of canine conversation. Rufus will love it, but your neighbors won’t!               

What is referred to as “idiot barking” is that pointless, incessant barking at a falling leaf or at nothing at all. It is invariably the result of boredom. Give the dog one sharp “No bark” (one word) and immediately go to distractions – toys, games, or even a bit of obedience work. A few commands to “Come” or “Sit,” etc. followed by lots of big smiling praise will work wonders to take his mind off barking.                

Teach Rufus to do something acceptable in place of the barking. If, for example, he barks excessively when someone comes to the door, keep a large soft toy in easy reach and toss it a few feet from the door. Then as he picks it up, tell him what a good dog he is. At first you may need to use one hand to keep the toy in his mouth as you open the door, but he can’t bark if his mouth is full. (That’s just another example of doggone good manners.)              

There are numerous cures today for excessive barking, but the best one by far is prevention, and teaching Rufus that it is unacceptable.                      

Until next time,  BE GOOD!

- Bardi 

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award this year.