Last week we established the possible causes for the incessant barking of dogs. We shall now explore possible regimens that may assist in curbing this disturbing feature in canine behaviour.
One may think that it should be a relatively simple matter to arrive at a solution. If chaining the dog for long periods of time (even for the entire day) precipitates the continuous barking, then the solution should be simple: untie the dog from time to time.
Similarly, if we have established that leaving the dog unattended and alone in the house creates fear, loneliness, anxiety and boredom, then it should be easy to apply interventions which would remove the causative factors.
But what if the “caregiver” is intransigent and uncaring, and is not even mindful that the continuous barking is affecting his/her neighbours? Are the neighbours prepared to sully the otherwise good relationship with the dog’s owner by alerting him/her to the discomfiture the incessant barking of the dog creates? Will one continue to suffer in silence, even if the barking disturbs a student preparing for an important exam, or exacerbates the suffering of an ailing elderly patient?
Is one prepared to introduce the Police to the dilemma – consequently and almost assuredly creating “bad blood” between oneself and the indifferent caregiver?
I know of a case in which the complainant was hounded out of a village because she (a physically-challenged elderly person) dared to seek Police intervention in a serious breach of the law. The poisoning of her dog was the repercussive effect. Interestingly enough (definitely in this mentioned case), the Police did not exhibit sympathy towards the complainant, nor did they try to understand the issue involved.
Let us now address the actual treatment possibilities. The objective is obviously to accurately identify, and subsequently remove, the causative agents, which may be associated with loneliness, anxiety, boredom, alerting the caregiver to what the dog perceives as ominous threats and predators, chaining of the dog for long periods, etc., – (see above and also last week’s column). In addition, and of great concern, are causes associated with (i) separation anxiety (ii) genetically-based aggressive and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). We will deal specifically with OCD on another occasion.
N.B.
(i) Please keep in mind that we are discussing the incessant/overzealous barker.
(ii) Reactions to noise, weather-related discomforting stressors (e.g., storms, lightning, thunder, explosive devices, etc.)
(iii) Excessive barking may lead to an inflammation of the vocal cords and surrounding tissues, a condition which is different from a laryngitis; a condition which one’s veterinarian would diagnose.
Let it be clear that if the overzealous barking is not so continuous and is not considered to be outside of a relatively normal behavioural repertoire based on triggers (e.g., storms, firecrackers, etc.) and context (e.g., loneliness, boredom, etc.), the offending animal can be taught when to bark (using rewards and verbal praise when cessation has been achieved) and when not to bark.
When the dog barks in such a way as to annoy the caregiver and/or the neighbours, one can – as a simple curative undertaking – teach the dog to interact with a toy. Dogs tend to enjoy squeaky toys. In fact, the caregiver can have a tug-o-war interaction with the companion animal and toy. In this way, one would be establishing bonding, reinforcing TLC and removing anxiety.
The more I consider the methodologies used to combat this incessant barking, the more I am reminded how complex the treatment procedures actually are. If the barking is pathological, the anxiety state that leads to the abnormal vocalisation (incessant barking) has to be treated.
We will continue with the discussion on further treatment regimens next week.
