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Don’t expect your dog to stop barking
completely: dogs bark the way we talk – to communicate, to express
themselves. Barking is an evolutionarily valuable
response to territorial threats, and as such, your dog’s
barking may serve to deter potential threats to your
security. Barking scares away other animals and lets
scary people know that someone with teeth has noticed
their presence. A well-timed bark can be very useful.
But if your dog doesn’t know when to stop, it’s a
problem for you and for your neighbors. Most towns have
ordinances against excessive barking, deeming it a noise
nuisance. Different towns and cities have different
specific remedies, and they all suggest contacting the
owner before filing a formal complaint. As a dog owner,
it is to your benefit to listen when neighbors contact
you about your dog’s excessive barking. It’s much better
to prevent the situation from escalating than to face
repeated complaints, Animal Control or police
investigations, or even fines and jail time. In general,
people are encouraged to report nuisance barking to
Animal Control, Public Health or the Police Department,
by telephone, letter and by completing a form. In some
cases, complaints are investigated the first time;
oftentimes it takes three or more complaints before they
send an officer around. Continued offenses are
considered misdemeanors and may be prosecuted by the
local District Attorney. In Foster City, California for
example, offenders may face a fine of $1,000 or a year
in jail. Aside from legal remedies, hostile neighbors
may take the situation into their own hands, poisoning
or shooting noisy dogs.
It’s frustrating to be responsible for someone who
doesn’t even speak your language, but since you are the
human, you have to go the extra mile in helping your dog
to stop barking. The first step in quieting your dog is
discovering what is making him bark. Once you have an
idea of what your dog is barking at (or barking for),
you have a much better chance of teaching him to stop.
Article
Summary
1. Barking is normal canine behavior.
2. Dogs bark when they’re lonely, anxious, bored or
frightened.
3. Dogs bark to protect their territory.
4. Excessive barking can cause dog-owners legal and
social problems.
5. You can teach your dog to stop barking!
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