Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: How To Stop Springer Spaniel Barking - Is Your Dog Becoming A Nuisance?

Does your springer spaniel bark excessively?
Springer spaniels are not noted for barking
excessively like some small pooches do, though
they can be excitable at times. You do want your
dog to bark when there's an intruder, or with
excitement when the kids get in from school, and
of course, when nature calls! But annoying you?
No, you really don't need that.

The good news is that there are answers to the
problem, depending on what the reason for the
barking is. Knowing why might lead you to the
best answer. Do remember, though, that dogs need
to bark to communicate, for better or for worse.
I bet that even you talk to yourself when you are
sometimes alone! I do, anyway.

Reasons

Besides communication with other dogs (and you),
other reasons are::

- hunger

- loneliness

- fear

- boredom

- defence

- offence

- warning

The key thing is that you want them to bark in
particular circumstances only, and you want them
to be quiet when told.

Let's assume that

1. Your dog is checked at least monthly when you
groom her (or him).

2. That he/she gets checked annually by the vet.

3. That the dog's basket/sleeping area is not too
hot or too cold.

4. That he gets enough exercise to keep him
relatively healthy and tired and enough 'relief'
opportunities (or has a litter tray in the house
when you are at work).

5. That in fact you do not have many strangers
calling at the door, and that there are not a lot
of foxes or badgers visiting your yard at night
(get the idea)?

Does your springer only bark when he's alone and
you are in work, and your neighbours complain
about it? If he's not messing in the house then
the reason could be loneliness.

Dogs do suffer from poor hearing (especially
older ones) even deafness , and it's essential to
check regularly that your springer's ears are
clean and healthy. He might not hear you telling
him to stop barking.

Recent?

If your dog was ok before, but is now a problem,
then may be a signal that something has changed -
it could be his age or health, it could be that
your daughter (he's been her favourite) now has
her boyfriend visit and he's jealous.

Have you changed her diet? Moved house? Bought
him a new dog basket?

So, does he have anything to complain about -
because they are smart dogs and they complain if
they are not happy. One of my springers didn't
bark when he was unhappy or I scolded him - he
grunted like an old man.

What's the Answer?

OK, so you've looked at all the obvious
possibilities. Maybe your pup is now 9 months old
and the barking problem still persists. Training
is going well, he is now following the basic
commands and walking to heel, you have maybe
started retrieve training, yet the excessive
barking persists.

Maybe you've got a rescue dog and not a pup. He
might have had a tough life so far. Did you check
with the staff at the rescue centre if he barked
excessively? It's not always a sure guide, as
there's often a lot of barking at these centres
anyway - the staff have no choice over dogs
arriving at their gates.

There are always solutions to the barking problem
(depending on the reason), but first of all,
don't reinforce the bad behaviour. If your dog
barks, then don't give her a cuddle - it doesn't
work with kids and will not work with her.

Some people favour electric collars - that's an
old Pavlovian approach and not in keeping with
best practice. The key to curing is
understanding, and if you've looked at the
problem from all angles, then you probably need
professional advice.

----------------------------------------------------
The author has kept Springer Spaniels for many
years. Find out more about springer spaniel
barking problems at ==>
http://www.springerspanieladvice.com/springer-span
iel-barking-and-how-you-can-control-it/ and lots
more about springer spaniel training in general
at ==>
http://www.springerspanieladvice.com/training-an-e
nglish-springer-spaniel/

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