“Live” Dog Training – Attention and Control First (Part 1)

Dog Training Tutorial: Building Eye Contact & Attention!

Dog Training – Attention – (amazingdogtrainingman.com)

Dog Training : How to Get Your Dog’s Attention

Does Your Dog Bark a Lot for Attention? Learn to Tackle It

To keep hearing the continuous and loud barking of the new puppy or dog can be nerve-wracking and bothersome for any new owner. As soon the puppies or dogs reach their new homes, they start their never ending loud barking which leaves the owner exasperated as they did not expect this. This is only natural for the puppies and dogs but some of them do not seem to calm down especially in the evening which is really unpleasant for many.

The biggest fear of the puppy is to be left all alone. “Left alone” is not simply being left alone at home, but can be even if you go out of the room for just sometime. They are not able to adjust to being left alone as they are accustomed having their mothers around them always.

This is a “catch-22″ situation. On one hand, if you pamper and comfort the puppy or dog every time it barks for attention; you are inadvertently creating a signal to bark for pampering; hence it shall spoil the puppy or dog. On the other hand, if you ignore the barking, it will continue irritating all around within and outside the house like your family members and neighbors around.

It is a “no-win” situation as you are “caught between the devil and the deep sea” which are both undesirable situations. However, there is hope and you may try out the following guidelines to tackle this irritating barking issue:

Try to ignore the barking without screaming at the barking puppy or dog. As screaming or shouting shall frighten it from going near you. However, it will increase its nervousness and make it bark all the more.

There is “teaching lead” method where, you have a leash tied around the puppy or dog. It is recommended as the dog or puppy can have you around always and learns to be independent simultaneously.

Try to minimize the petting, caressing and sweet talks with the dog or puppy when you leave home as the puppy or dog associates the pampering session as a sign of leaving it which can be stressful for it. The same holds when you return home. Try to minimize the loud boisterous welcomes of the puppy or dog by the door side.

Use simple training ploys to calm down the barking puppy or dog quickly. A good idea is the “water spray bottle” by which you can spray a quick spray of water on the unsuspecting barking puppy or dog. The sudden falling water will scare it and it will stop barking. You can also use a small sized tin and fill it with a few pebbles. The moment the puppy or dog barks when you leave it, you can quickly throw the can in its direction. The sudden noise will startle the puppy or dog and simultaneously divert its attention. While using these ploys, try not to hurt the puppy or dog. Also, do not overdo them, as it might develop an anxious personality which is not good.

Got Barking Problems? How to Handle a Dog That Barks for Attention

For any new dog owner, handling all of the incessant and noisy barking of a new pup can be extremely annoying to no end. Most new dog owners are not prepared for the amount of loud barking that young puppies start doing the as soon as they arrive in their new home. Although it is very natural, some dogs do not give their owners the luxury of calming down, especially during the evening.
One of the largest phases that a dog will go through is the fear of being alone. I’m not talking about being alone in the sense of you leaving your home. Some dogs will go crazy even when you only leave the room for a just a moment. They just can’t stand to be left alone because they are used to having their mommy around non-stop.
When faced with this type of situation, what can a dog owner do? If you run to your dog to sooth and caress him each time he cries, then you are only encouraging the behavior and creating a spoiled dog. Then again, if you ignore him and let him bark his mouth out, the rest of the family (especially your spouse) will become very irritated with you for letting the barking go on.
It’s like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, literally. I do have a few tips to help you deal with your dog barking issue:
1. Number one, try ignoring your dog’s barking if at all possible without yelling at him. Yelling and screaming your voice box out will either scare him from wanting to come near you or will further add to his anxiety levels that and he will continue barking.
2. There is a product known as a “teaching lead” which will help your dog to be around you at all times in the home. I recommend that dog owners use these types of tools so that he can be around you while he is getting used to being independent.
3. When you leave your home, try to avoid long and drawn out departures if you can help it. Although it’s understandable to want to pet your dog and talk sweet to him before leaving the home, it only causes more stress because she will start to associate your behavior with you leaving her side. The same goes for when you arrive home. Try avoiding huge and exciting welcomes after walking through the door.
4. Just use a simple training aid to get your dog to quiet down quickly when he is barking. A water spritz (bottle) that sends a quick burst of streaming spray is a Heaven sent idea. Or you could use a small tin can filled with a few nickels in it. When you go to leave his side and he starts barking, simply throw that can in her area. It will cause a startling sound while at the same time redirect his attention.

How to Stop the Attention Seeking Barking

Some, or maybe most dogs will at an early age start to bark at their owners for attention. Most owners, through a lack of knowledge or out of frustration and impatience, would then respond by either calling the dog to them and trying to calm it, or by yelling at the dog to stop barking. This is exactly what the dog wanted. It does not take long for the dog to realise that if he barks, he receives attention. If this attention-barking is not stopped within the first couple of days, the dog may develop a habit of bark-for-attention. This unwanted behaviour can even develop to such a degree that it can be classified as a compulsive disorder. The best way to stop this from happening is to prevent it to become a habit in the first place. This should be done within the first day or two. If this barking behaviour is a mild attention-seeking activity, just avoiding reinforcement may be enough to stop it. In other words it may be enough for the owner to just ignore the dog. The dog will realise that no attention is given and will stop his barking. If, on the other hand, his barking has been rewarded a few times even by yelling at him, he might be more persistent. It might then be necessary to reward alternate behaviours. The owner could use a clicker and click for every period of silence, even if it is only a second or two. He can later demand a longer period of silence before clicking and add a cue to the silent behaviour. Some dogs do not only bark for attention. Especially dogs that are left alone for hours at a time, will start barking out of boredom. With breeds like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds an increase in mental and physical exercise might be enough to stop the barking. Other bark-stoppers that professional trainers use are:A shaker can. You can fill a can with pebbles or coins and when the dog starts barking, you shake the can. The noise will startle the dog and he will stop barking. At that very moment, click and treat the dog. Spray bottleThe concept works exactly the same as the shaker can. Fill the bottle with water and when the dog barks, spray him with water. He will stop barking for a moment and then you must click and treat the dog. To be successful at training your dog not to bark, you must be very consistent. Use positive reinforcement methods when you train the dog. The best is to stop the unwanted behaviour before it becomes a habit.