Mary Allen
Your dog barks at you when you’re actually a great team?
This is not a nice feeling because it makes you question your relationship. So that it doesn’t get any further and your dog might even start snapping, you should fix the problem as soon as possible.
In order to figure out how to stop your dog from barking, you first need to find out what is causing it. So that this does not become too stressful for you, we have provided you with the most important information.
In a nutshell: My dog is barking at me – what should I do?
You need to figure out why your dog is barking at you. There are a variety of solutions that build on the causes of barking. By ignoring your dog when he barks at you, you are showing him that you are not rewarding his behavior. A reaction such as scolding or calming down can result in your dog feeling confirmed in his behavior.
In general, it is important that you have a good basis of trust. Make it clear to your dog that you are the leader without any violence, set clear rules, and establish a firm structure for everyday life. Of course, respectful and loving interaction is also required. This gives your furry friend security and trust.
Dog barks at me – that’s it
Dogs draw attention to themselves by barking. Of course you already knew that, but do you also know what exactly your dog wants to draw your attention to?
To prevent your dog from barking at you, let’s get to the bottom of the causes. You will then find the solutions to the individual causes afterwards.
Hey you, I like you!
Joy – probably the best reason why a dog barks. This is also the reason why your dog barks at other dogs. Of course you want a particularly happy dog…but then the barking increases. Therefore, you should still wean your dog from barking happily.
Your dog usually barks because he is happy when you come home again or because he would like to go for a walk with you. Some dogs also bark when you play with them and want to show that they are having a great time.
Dominant Behavior – Dog or Master?
Your dog should stop barking to demonstrate dominance as soon as possible. You love your dog, but you are still the master (or mistress).
At worst, barking is only a small part of this dominant behavior.
Dogs that perceive themselves as more dominant can also become dangerous. Dominance determines the ranking of the pack and sometimes leads to fights among dogs, in which they are bitten and attacked.
So that your dog doesn’t become dangerous, you have to set clear rules: You’re the boss here.
You’re scaring me…
Dogs that have had bad experiences or are naturally fearful will sometimes bark. This barking should tell you: “I don’t like that, don’t do that, otherwise I’ll fight back.”
Rescued dogs often show this behavior.
When breaking this habit, you should be careful and patient so the situation doesn’t escalate. Like other animals, any dog will eventually fight back if they feel cornered by you.
I heard something there – need for notification
From my own experience, I can advise you to immediately check why your dog is barking at you every now and then. Dogs often hear and recognize significantly more than we do:
In our case, the reason was our elderly neighbor who fell on the stairs.
Thanks to the warning from my Jack Russell male, I was able to help. Therefore, if your dog hardly ever barks, you should quickly check your surroundings.
Deal with me!
Does your dog bark at you when he wants to play? Did you leave him alone for a long time today or didn’t have time? Make up for it with a short walk or your favorite toy.
Solutions – You can do that
If your dog is barking at you, it will take some time and effort to change it. Don’t worry – everything has one or more solutions.
To ignore
It may be difficult, but it is necessary. If your dog barks for joy, ignoring it until it calms down will help. On the other hand, if you scold your dog, he may take your reaction to the barking as a success.
Your dog wants to go out and is barking? Ignore him and go about your business comfortably.
You come home and get jumped on barking? Ignore the greeting and don’t answer your dog until it stops barking.
As a little encouragement, once things have calmed down, you can cuddle your dog and calmly tell him not to bark at you.
Establish clear rules
Getting rid of dominance barking takes time and absolute discipline. Fixed everyday structures, clear communication and unambiguous rules are the be-all and end-all here. Until the problem is solved, you have to make it clear to your dog non-violently that you are the boss. Respectful interaction is the top priority here.
In this way you show your dog clear boundaries that he must not cross and at the same time you give him security and trust.
The same goes if your puppy barks at you. Everyone who takes care of your dog should treat them equally. So your puppy quickly learns: “If I ask out loud, I will be ignored. If I ask quietly, I get what I want.”
Danger!
If your dog is barking at you, snapping at you, or has even started attacking you, you need professional help. No matter how small your dog is: he is a predator and can be really dangerous! In this case, contact a dog trainer or animal psychologist.
In lighter cases, it is often enough if you take more control.
Do not let yourself be intimidated, seduced, and certainly not pushed. Therefore, build in clear rules: You decide when you go for a walk, where you go, when there is food, when you play and, above all, when it ends.
Then, over time, see if there is any improvement as you make more decisions. The conscious decision when going for a walk is very effective – is your dog pulling to the left? Then you go to the right.
Build up trust
To take away your dog’s fear, you should deal with him calmly and lovingly. Playing together and being cuddled regularly brings you closer together and strengthens your relationship.
Under no circumstances should you scold if your dog barks at you. If this happens, don’t move your hand further towards him. Once he calms down, you can praise him and carefully work your way forward.
Above all, you should offer your dog protection to increase trust and bond with your dog. In stressful situations, you should show him that you are protective and that you take responsibility.
It is also important that your body language and tone of voice always match. Mixed signals will only confuse your dog.
Another tip that is worth its weight in gold: learn to understand dog language. Dogs speak a different language than we do, and learning what your dog is trying to tell you with their behavior and body language can help you tremendously.
Important!
Don’t put yourself in danger. Sometimes fear turns into defense in a flash. Therefore, you have to be very careful and, if in doubt, accept defeat without harassing your dog.
Conclusion
To stop your dog from barking at you, you need to address the source of the problem and eliminate it. However, if your dog’s barking is already associated with aggression and attacks, you need to consult an expert.