Some people don’t seem to hear it, or they don’t care, or they have just given up. Excessive kennel barking has ruined many a Huntaway’s noise.
I tolerate the odd woof and I encourage my dogs to bark at strangers or something out of the ordinary. But non-stop barking is not tolerated here.
What causes it? Boredom, pent up energy, frustration, keenness, bad manners, along with cold and hunger – all contribute. Solving the problem is often easier said than done.
Young energetic pups are often left at home, and there are times when not much is happening and fit dogs are bored. Discomfort can usually be rectified.
Manners need to be taught. If I’m angry and walk towards my kennels the guilty party shoots inside and cringes – they know. Most of the time that is all it takes, but for that to happen there were consequences prior.
What are my consequences? Sometimes I will squirt offenders with the hose – but not a full pressure drench. I will hit the iron on top of the run or kennel with alkathene pipe; for those of you who don’t want to damage anything, wire on an old piece of corrugated iron and hit that (dogs hate the loud bang) and always shout or whistle your ‘stop barking’ command.
There are devices on the market that you attach above the kennel to distract barking; they often do the trick but don’t work on every dog, but they are relatively cheap and well worth trying. Check my website for information about them.
There are electric ‘no bark’ collars. Some people swear by them. However, I am not a fan. I’ve found them to be inconsistent – not working because they have slipped off-centre therefore the vibration isn’t enough to trigger them, or they shock the dog for no reason.
I prefer to use an ordinary electric collar; the dog gets more than a tickle; it needs to be uncomfortable, but not barbaric.
Consistency is vital for learning especially when it involves annoying barking: there must be consequences every time, for as long as it takes; don’t start if you can’t be bothered. There is a very fine line between solving the problem and ruining a dog. Be warned.
Donkeys years ago I was visiting a large Wairarapa sheep station and noticed the runs on the kennels were all boarded up between each dog, each end of the line of kennels and the doors. The only thing the dogs could see was their own kennel, run and the sky – no sheep, horses, other dogs, nothing. When I asked why, the shepherd replied it was to stop barking. It worked.
I had a partner whose dogs drove me mad: they used to stand roaring their heads off at each other, and not stop. I suggested he get some ply, cut it perfectly to size and wire it up between every other run.
By placing young dogs next to quiet calm dogs, and trouble makers not being able to see each other, the problem was solved immediately.
The peace and quiet was glorious. Something so simple was incredibly effective.
It is rare for a tired, comfortable, well fed dog to bark in its kennel for no reason, but there will be times when bored or enthusiastic dogs bark. If you don’t deal with it, it will make your life and those within earshot miserable.
• Anna Holland is teaching people dog training. For more information www.annaholland.co.nz or Ph. 027 28 44 639 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
