The dog which barks unnecessarily is a pain to live with and agony to live next door to. Some dogs bark because their guarding instinct is very strong and they feel it necessary to alert you to every little noise. Some dogs bark because they are nervous and the sound of their own barking gives them confidence . Some bark because they like the reaction it provokes in you and some bark because they have not been taught not to. It is quite normal for a dog to bark if he hears a strong noise during the night. Continuing to bark after an acceptable time is what you want to deter.

In most cases the way to stop a dog barking is to teach him to bark on command.! This may sound very strange but it does work. At the same time as teaching him to bark you are also teaching him when not to bark.

For the dog to learn this exercise you need to enlist the help of a friend, so that you can set up the situation. You should be sitting and relaxing and then your helper comes to the door and rings the doorbell.. your dog will naturally bark and when he does give him the command speak. Allow him to bark for five seconds and then give him the command quiet,giving him lots of fuss when he does what he is told. Do not attempt to open the door until the dog is quiet . then go to the door open it and speak to your friend on the doorstep as you would a casual caller and then close the door.. go back and sit down and after an interval of 10 mins repeat the whole exercise.. Alternate between speaking to your friend on the doorstep and inviting him in to simulate what would sometimes happen.

Try to repeat this process over a few days ,building up the association with the dog that he is allowed to bark for five seconds when the doorbell rings but he must stop when you say so and the door must not be opened until he is quiet. You are also getting him to associate the word Speak with barking.

Why must the door never be opened until he is silent?

If you allow him to bark as you open the door then he will associate that his barking is what gets the door open, resulting in future problems.

If he is the type of dog who imagines there is someone at the door and barks often unnecessarily the only way you will get him to be quiet is to go and open it. You may even end up in a situation of the dog training you- every time he wants attention he will bark to provoke you into getting up to answer the door to an imaginary caller.

Having taught him to bark on the command speak,you will then be able to get him to bark if you ever feel in a threatening situation-when you are out for a walk and are approached by a suspicious character,or should you hear a strange noise in the middle of the night. You can also apply the same training if your dog barks every time the telephone rings. Arrange for a friend to call you and don t answer until the dog is quiet. On these occasions do not practice giving him the speak command as you do not want him barking every time the phone rings. Simply correct him for barking unnecessarily at the telephone.

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Are you aware of the wide range of common household items and products that can be hazardous to your dog’s health? Although it is not all-inclusive, this article is intended to help you recognize some of the common hazards found in the home.

Household Cleaning Products

Although many household cleaning products can be used safely around dogs, it is important that they are properly stored and used responsibly. Product labels normally include appropriate warnings when their use presents a potential hazard. Review product labels for statements such as “keep children and pets away from area until completely dry”. While cleaners containing chlorine bleach can safely disinfect household surfaces when used safely, they can also cause severe chemical burns when skin contact is made and are potentially lethal if swallowed. Diarrhea, excessive drooling, vomiting and stomach pain are typical symptoms of ingestion of these products.

To avoid accidents with cleaning products be sure to keep them in their original packaging if they can be tightly sealed. Packages that cannot be re-sealed should be stored in a properly labeled sealed container.

Insecticides and Herbicides

Keep flea and tick control products, intended for external use only, well out of your dog’s reach to avoid over exposure or ingestion. These products contain poisonous chemicals that can be very harmful to your pet if applied improperly.

Mouse and rat poisons when ingested can result in a life-threatening situation. It is critical to keep these products well sealed and in a location that is completely inaccessible to your dog.

Other insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and similar gardening products may also be hazardous to your dog if ingested. When these substances are applied to lawns and pets are exposed to wet or granular chemicals, severe skin reactions may occur. Should the chemicals stick to your dog’s paws, he may lick them and be sickened. Be sure to keep pets away from any treated area for at least the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.

Human Foods Dogs Should Avoid

Some foods that are perfectly fine for human consumption can be dangerous – even deadly – to dogs. No matter how much he begs, these foods should never be given to your pooch:

Alcohol, Yeast Dough, Chewing Gum, Persimmons, Raw Eggs or Fish, Nutmeg, Mushrooms, Grapes/Raisins, Chocolate, Onions, Coffee & Grounds, Tea, Garlic, Avocados, Nuts, Salt, Potato Peelings, Most Bones, Baking Soda/Powder, and Sugar Free Foods Containing Xylitol.

Rotting food found in garbage may contain bacteria that could produce food poisoning. Be sure to keep garbage in securely closed trash cans. Dogs find garbage in plastic trash bags particularly tempting and they can easily tear open the bags looking for “goodies”.

Bathroom Hazards

Unless your veterinarian specifically instructs you to do so, never give your dog medications that are used to treat humans. To avoid accidental poisoning, keep all medicine in tightly closed, secured containers well away from your pooch. Particularly hazardous over-the-counter medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, antihistamines, cold medicines, vitamins, diet pills, and topical creams/ointments.

Other health and beauty products such as skin lotions, toothpaste, nail care products and even some soaps can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain so keep them secured and out of reach. Also remember to keep toilet lids closed. Dogs seem to love drinking from toilet bowls but if they do so it can be risky due to chemicals in toilet bowl cleaning products.

Household Plants

Some plants typically found in homes and in the yard can be hazardous to a dog’s health. A few of the common plants that may be dangerous include:

Chrysanthemum, Schefflera, Lilies, Tulip and Narcissus Bulbs, Oleander, Azalea, Rhododendron, English Ivy, Sago Palm, Cyclamen, Yew, Amaryllis, Autumn Crocus, Pothos, Hibiscus, and Hydrangea

The ASPCA website has a very useful searchable data base of both non-toxic and toxic plants for dogs, cats, and horses. Visit http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ to access their system.

Miscellaneous Household Hazards

– Ethylene glycol antifreeze and coolants can be fatal, even is very small quantities. Although less toxic, propylene glycol antifreeze can still be dangerous.

– Mothballs can be toxic to dogs particularly those containing naphthalene. They can result in blood cell damage, swelling of brain tissue, seizures, coma, and even death.

– Tobacco products

– Mothballs can be toxic to dogs particularly those containing naphthalene. They can result in blood cell damage, swelling of brain tissue, seizures, coma, and even death.

– Electrical cords should be covered and blocked to prevent access. Chewing on a live wire could prove deadly.

– Tobacco products

– Strings, ribbons, and similar items can damage your dog’s intestines and could be fatal if not surgically removed.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS POISONED

Do Not Delay! Quick action is essential for successful treatment of accidental poisoning. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-425-4435. Be ready to provide your dog’s age, weight, breed, and any symptoms observed. Have the product container or a sample of the plant with you so that the poison can be properly identified and an appropriate treatment can be prescribed.

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