![]() ![]() To find a certified professional near you, visit the CCPDT or the IAABC.Įditor's Note: This story has been edited from the original version, to include quotes from Myko's owner. To get started, consult with a certified pet behavior professional who focuses on positive reinforcement. Eventually, you'll hopefully reach full exposure with your dog, who will ideally be less afraid or stressed.īoth strategies, which you can learn more about here, require time and commitment, and aren't guaranteed to work. ![]() For example, you could play low-volume thunder noises when your dog is around, slowly increasing the volume as she gets used to it. Over time, she'll theoretically associate feeling good-dogs usually enjoy yummy treats-with the thunder.ĭesensitization entails exposing your dog to the stressor over a long period of time, while increasing the level of the stressor slowly. For example, if your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, you can give her a treat when she hears a thunderclap. ![]() Counterconditioning is a way to work towards replacing the fear or anxiety your dog is feeling. You can also try some counterconditioning and desensitization, Bergeland says. You can maybe even equip the room with a white noise machine, drowning out the stressful noises while still allowing your dog to hear (which might be harder for your dog under quiet ears or a hood). If the thunderstorm or fireworks outside are giving your dog anxiety, you can fashion your dog a safe space somewhere in your house, Bergeland says. It's a natural thing for her.įor all you need to know about your dog's barking-and how to sometimes prevent it- read our guide here. She doesn't know she's done anything wrong by barking. That's when you can distract your dog or teach them a new behavior-using positive reinforcement methods, naturally. (You'll want to make sure you're not the one who's reinforcing the behavior.) If you know what's behind it, you'll know when to step in. The key is to identify why your dog is barking. Does she bark out the window? Close the blinds or curtains or block off the area so she can't get there, Bergeland says. ![]() So, if your dog is barking, the first thing to try is to keep your dog away from whatever they are barking at. The solutions for helping your dog stay calm range from extremely simple ones to strategies that will take a little time and training. Plus, it probably won't stop them from barking in the future.īergeland suggests alternatives dog owners can try-whether you're looking to stop your dogs' barking or calm them down during a thunderstorm, fireworks display, or other stressful situation. Covering dogs' ears may stop them from barking, but it's likely because they're stressed-rather than the covering relaxing them. "There is no data to support covering a dog's head or ears to make them calmer," she says. She believes her dog associates the ears with being calm.Ĭould this strategy work for other dogs? Bergeland is skeptical. This absolutely created an association between the ears, being quiet, and getting rewarded."Įach time he wears the ears, he gets a treat when he calms down, which usually only takes 1 or 2 minutes, Elena says. "We instantly marked that behavior with a high-value reward and he stayed quiet. "We put them on him and he became very quiet and calm," Elena says. So they decided to turn to an old Halloween costume and placed the Eeyore ears on Myko's head. Then, one night when Myko was particularly upset-he had barked for 30 minutes nonstop at a reflection in a window-his family remembered reading how compression clothes like thundershirts can help a dog's anxiety. Myko would respond well to training, but when his fear response took over, the barking would start, she says. Dog barking at windows, needing a set of quiet earsĮlena says she consulted with her veterinarian and trainers, she tried CBD products, distraction, and other strategies. ![]()
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