FINAL CONSIDERATIONS ON THE OVERZEALOUS BARKER

Over the past few weeks, we have, in detail, been addressing the very disturbing issue of incessant and uncontrollable barking of a companion animal, which is frustratingly disturbing to one’s own family and those persons living in the immediate environment – one’s neighbours.
We have cited the probable causes for this continuous barking condition. We have also answered questions pertaining to those possibilities that might be associated with age, gender, and breed; and we have discussed the treatment possibilities in depth.
Today we will look at possible complications, and the prognosis which may be very positive or may end up as a failure.
It should be noted that the suggested may result in a complete remedy of the condition associated with frequent, inconvenient, and even perpetual barking if the caregivers, together with the animal’s veterinarian, have diagnosed and understood the problem correctly. If not, the removal of the disorder may range from fair to good, depending on the severity and the chronicity of the barking episodes. Of course, the willingness of the caregiver to follow the vet’s advice plays a crucial role in complete healing. So also do environmental circumstances surrounding the dog’s life.
It is important for you to understand that certain psychotropic medications may not bring about the success anticipated. Again, without getting too involved in the actual chemistry of the drugs which are prescribed (and their interaction with each other), it is imperative to keep your vet constantly – daily, or at least weekly – informed about the progress being made. Most vets would not immediately cease the medication if the barking is not appreciably reduced. They may consider the introduction of sedatives. The literature advises that one could lower the dosage rate and further observe the patient. I, personally, prefer to go this route, rather than introduce chemical sedation to keep the dog quiet.
Caregivers might wish to attempt behaviour modification techniques too quickly, and without veterinary advice and/or supervision, because they would have heard or read somewhere that certain psychological treatment regimes could be successful. I understand this caregiver’s reaction. Such is the frustration produced by an incessant barker. The patience shown by the caregiver is, however, especially important. The dog would quickly notice the owner’s disappointment, dissatisfaction, and disenchantment, and would itself become distressed. Any therapy, especially one that involves rewards, must be conducted in a relaxed atmosphere, and must be consistent. This is not easy to achieve when there are many persons (especially caring children) observing the dilemma of slothful success and deciding to take inappropriate remedies in their own hands. Suddenly, everyone has a solution.
I insist that the caregiver must not undertake “corrective” methodologies without first receiving tested and proven solutions.
Very often, force is applied. Leashes, choke chains or pinch collars, or any such radical interventions are contraindicated – not lastly because they can produce further mechanical trauma to the dog’s windpipe and adjacent structures in the neck.
Similarly, shock collars have no place in the treatment of any behavioural condition. These instruments of torture almost always increase anxiety – although the caregiver and other non-schooled helpers might see some small and temporary signs of success. Our experience is that dogs “trained” with shock collars always display signs of exaggerated nervousness and neuroses towards the home family and visitors/ strangers. Actually, my own conviction is that the use of any such supposed healing instrument represents companion animal abuse.
Just as patience in treating the incessant barker is very important, so is early intervention when the episodes begin. As soon as the puppies and/or the new adult dogs join the family, education must commence. This takes the form of training, which focuses on a level of acceptable barking, and which is instituted at the first sign of undesirable barking.
Of course, shouting at the dog to be quiet would only arouse and increase nervousness. Let us face it: verbal reprimands seem not to serve any useful purpose. Just calmly take the barking dog away from the stimulus which precipitated the barking; sit with him/her in a relaxed way, and then reward the pet for discontinuing the barking exhibition. Petting and calmly speaking to the animal are consistent with good TLC for your forever pet in its forever home.
Now that the Festive Season is about to begin, it is apposite for this column to address those things which we – as serious and caring owners – must and must not do to and for our wards during Christmas. This advice will begin next week.