I was out on a walk with my dogs the other day when we passed a young woman walking her dog as well. The second we came into sight her dog started barking and pulling on the leash trying to reach us, even though we were a good 50 feet away.
Glad for my two obedient dogs, I gave this lady some space by crossing the street and heading a different direction. As I looked back I cringed at what she was doing…
I see MOST people do this with their barking dogs when I am in public. And I did it with my dogs before I had the right information.
…she was crouched down by the dog’s side petting them in a loving way while crooning “Shh, it’s okay…it’s okay.” Now, if you don’t do anything else with your barking dog, at least don’t do that.
This young lady is not a bad dog owner, and her dog is not a bad dog. She loves her dog and WANTS her dog to stop barking. For whatever reason, at the moment…she does not have the correct information.
So what ARE you supposed to do to stop your dog from barking at another dog?
Giving the dog a treat to get their attention back on you is not going to stop the barking. This is called re-direction and it only works as long as the dog is willing to play this game. The next time it sees a dog/person/cat that it REALLY wants to bark at, it will do so regardless of what you have in your hand.
To stop the barking you need to correct the behavior. Give a leash pop, shake a can of pennies, squirt the dog in the face with water, use a prong collar, remote collar or a bonker. Whatever works and stops the behavior so you never see it again…do it!
Walking your dog should be a pleasant experience for BOTH of you. Your dog’s energy is better spent by focusing on you, or playing Chuck-It or fetch. Nothing good will ever come of your dog’s energy focused on barking at another dog.
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