Your irate neighbor has just told you that your dog barks for hours after you leave the house. You apologize profusely, but have no idea what you can do to stop this behavior from happening again when you aren´t even around. Here´s some advice on dealing with this problem.
Young dogs can get separation anxiety when their owners leave, especially if you are their only social contact. Also, if you have been unwittingly encouraging him to bark when you are home, "Who is at the door, boy? Get em! ", he may have positive feelings associated with barking because he is getting positive reinforcement for the behavior. He knows if he barks at the door, you will appear. So he may be trying to see if you re–appear when he keeps barking after you have left for work. It is best to discourage barking in the home. Be assured, if you have someone trying to enter your house unannounced, your dog will still bark.
Such as the dog barking in the back yard whose owner goes out and yells at the dog. The dog quiets down for a few minutes, and then starts barking again. The dog got the attention he wanted from the owner. It didn´t particularly matter if it was negative attention, so the behavior is reinforced. Next, when he keeps barking, the owner may let the dog into the house because he is afraid the neighbors will get irate. Now the dog´s barking behavior has gotten him a positive reward and he will most likely continue the unwanted behavior.
Moreover, he could be a fearful dog, who when left alone, barks when he hears any little noise. You can easily recognize a bark if it is being fearful.
If you have the time, a long morning walk or run will tire him out enough and he will probably nap after you leave. Your goal is to take his focus off you walking out the door, and have him focused on something else. Provide him with a variety of toys to occupy his time. Toys you can stuff with treats or kibble can occupy him for a long time and make him forget that you have left. Also, other chews, especially the ones that have tartar preventives are good for occupying time.
Music or television left playing can also be helpful. Soothing music CDs for fearful pets are also available. Pheromone "plug–ins" may help calm anxious pets, as well. If he is getting destructive out of boredom, you will have to crate him and give him toys in the crate. As dogs get older, they generally become accustomed to being left alone and confident you will return.
Dogs´ quirky, unexplainable repetitive behaviors can be part of an anxiety condition known as canine compulsive disorder. Dogs with the disease often display compulsive behaviors such as tail chasing, snapping the air, licking excessively, chewing with an empty mouth and barking monotonously without any change in volume or intonation.
If you are providing stimulation for your dog and he still continues this behavior, find a pet sitter who can come and walk your dog at midday, breaking up his monotony. Some pet sitters even take a small group of dogs to play together in a yard or dog park.
Another great alternative is doggy day care, which is becoming very popular. Check out local kennels that offer day care. You can drop him off in the morning and pick him up in the evening. Make sure that the day care services you choose for your pet have small dogs grouped apart from large dogs. Take a look at the facility, and ask lots of questions and get some references. Keep your dog updated on his vaccines and flea preventives when he goes to daycare. Some doggy day care facilities provide playtime in outdoor yards with kiddie pools or shallow ponds, indoor quiet time and air conditioning during the heat of the day. If they have played in water, they will often get a bath before they leave day care.
Of course, make time for play when you get home. A good long walk, a visit to the dog park, or a frisbee or flying squirrel outside when you get home is appreciated.
With some changes and confidence, he should grow out of the barking problem. What other roommate have you ever had that was SO happy to see you, even if you just went out to get the mail? Got to love ´em!
Sharon E. Anderson, DVM
