Expert: Have4Paws - 8/18/2009

Question
We just got a 3 year old Bengal named snoopy, He is a GREAT dog but we have noticed since we got him 4 days ago, when we go outside with out him he starts whining and then howling. His old neighbors said he never barked or howled when he was home alone, and that was 8 hours a day ( he had a doggie door he could go in and out). I know were still new to him , do you think he will get over this or any suggestions on how to deal with it.Could it be separation anxiety because its a new home and family members?

Answer
Congrats on getting Snoopy..... here is some info I pass out re: barking. I think that it might be normal for him to be a bit out of sorts in the first week or so but you do want to get a handle on the barking so it doesnt become a problem.



HOW TO CURTAIL BARKING

In order to curtail barking it is helpful to first ascertain why your dog is barking. Like most dog behavior, it is usually a symptom of an unsatisfied need. This can be a difficult task trying to sort out but if you are able to do so it can make fixing the problem much easier and faster. Sometimes it is right under our noses but we just missed it.

Barking is a dog’s way of communicating. It doesn’t matter whether it is directed at another dog, a human, or the world at large. It may be an attempt to warn owners of intruders, stake out territory, a symptom of loneliness (because dogs are very social animals), a symptom of being in pain, or an attempt to get attention. Lack of exercise and boredom will often produce barking. Last but definitely not least, separation anxiety may be at the root of the barking.

So all that being said, the first considerations need to be to determine if your dog’s needs are being met. Does he have a proper diet? Is he hungry? Does he have water? Is there something that continuously grabs his attention (people or other animals)? Is he lonely? Is he in pain? Is he bored or needs exercise? And most importantly is he experiencing separation anxiety whenever you leave him?

It has been proven that yelling at your dog to stop barking is ineffective. In fact, they may perceive it as you joining in! Your best solutions are to IGNORE the behavior so it does not become reinforced. Provide whatever your dog is missing so he does not have a need to continually bark.

Teaching your dog the sit, down, and stay commands are also effective. If your dog is taught to be an “expert” at these he will stop what he is doing to comply. It is also very difficult for a lying dog to bark so putting him in a down stay works very well to curb barking. These act as good distractions and if done repeatedly may help to interrupt the cycle of barking.

As far as when you are not home and cannot redirect the behavior you must provide lots of activities for your dog in the form of chew toys, stuffed Kong’s or Bustercube's etc. These will occupy your dog for hours. Remember also, a dog who has been exercised vigorously will also be too tired to bark! Lastly, using treat rewards when you are present for QUIET time is a good method. Each time your dog barks for longer than is necessary to alert you to an intruder, put him in a sit or down. THEN reward him for his silence with a treat and lavish praise (saying GOOD QUIET! ).

If your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, you will require the assistance of a personal trainer for a few sessions. This is not something that I can address via email, as it requires one on one, in person help. Your trainer will most likely use some combined form or desensitization and reward training.
I hope this has been helpful…  Good luck!
Have4Paws