It isn't hard to curb a dogs barking. All it is basic training. Pick up any book and it'll tell you how. Our dog barked quite a bit when we first picked him up from the pound (beagle husky cross) but with just some basic training over the past few months (after he got confortable in the house and calmed down after 3 months) the only time he barks is 1) when he's stuck on something outside on his lead (he barks once and waits for 10 minutes or so before doing so again) ; 2) when someone rings the doorbell he'll bark a bit; 3) when he gets a little excited in play or is hyper (which is of course our fault for not exercising him properly for a day or two); and 4) when something looks odd...every dog I have gets vocal over "floating heads" as people walk by a fence and bicycle riders. Very rarely does he bark constantly for even a few minutes. None of my dogs have after a wee bit of training. We tend to use clicker training/reward system but many trainers will tell you a firm but not loud "No" can be very worthwhile in addition to the reward system. Dogs learn very quickly that "No" means stop whatever you are doing immediately and don't do it again. Do not yell the word it just makes them defensive but firmly spoken in a normal tone the dog knows to stop and when he does so you'll be very happy with him. You can't use it all the time or for everything but it works well with some behaviours that are hard to break such as barking or in our dogs case his jumping up on people.
I agree that those people who allow the dogs to bark and bark and bark are inconsiderate because it really isn't that hard to curb the behaviour. A few barks here and there no one cares about. It's the constant bark bark bark people hate including most dog owners.
Oh he does bark for a 5th reason as well...when he wants attention from the cat. But then again the cat doesn't shut up when she wants attention from the dog!
My advice...get a clicker and a clicker training book. If you start off with the basic exercises such as getting the dog to target your eyes and face instead of the treat and moving on from there you'll have a very well behaved dog in a matter of weeks. Just remember to carry the clicker and treat pouch with you at all times with the dog and reward him for good behaviour (not pulling on the leash, sitting at crosswalks, sitting and ignoring people/pets etc etc etc)....even if the dog is simply just lying in the corner quietly by himself (not on your command but just being a good dog). Remember the dog simply wants to please you and only you. Everything else is secondary in the dogs eyes if you are happy with them.
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