Prevent Your Dog From Barking When You’re Not at Home With a Little Treat Training
It takes a lot to find the right dog for you , but even more needs to be spent on training it. If your dog enjoys barking and annoying neighbors while you are away, this little training trick can help them cope better.
There are many things that can make a dog bark: the view from the window (if it is inside), strange sounds, and just the thought that you are away from you. When you leave, your dog wants to know that everything is okay. This is why Apartment Therapy commenter HannaBear51 recommends an easy way to let them do well:
Give your dog something positive right before you leave the house. The key here is immediacy – give good and then walk out the door immediately. This is a treat for my dogs and I go out while they are distracted by chewing. After about a week, they got into the habit of associating the treat with my departure, and they actually began to look forward to it (they took me away at the appointed time, etc.).
As HannaBear51 points out, it may seem a little offensive when your dog is excited about your leaving, but it’s better than the alternative when they bark in a storm. So the next time you are about to leave, give your dog some positive reinforcement and leave. Other things, such as chewing on toys and turning on the TV due to background noise, can also help. Obviously, your experience can vary from dog to dog, but if you can keep the habit, it can make life easier for both of you.
Neighborhood Services: Tips To Keep Your Dog From Barking When You Are Out | Apartment therapy