If you’re a Newfoundland owner, you know how much they love to bark! But sometimes, their barking can become excessive, especially when they start reacting to strangers or other dogs. In this article, we’ll discuss ten strategies to help your Newfoundland stop reactive barking. Reactive barking is a common problem for many dog owners, and it can be frustrating to deal with. We’ll provide some tips and tricks to help you train your dog to stop barking when they become reactive, so you can enjoy a peaceful and quiet home with your furry companion.
⚠️ Note: While the tips below should get you started, its important to realize that your Newfoundland’s excessive barking is symptom of reactivity. Consider looking into an online training course that specifically addresses reactivity (we like SpiritDog’s “Tackling Reactivity course or K9 Institute’s Dog Masterclass)
1. Identify and Understand Your Newfoundland’s Triggers:
The first step to addressing reactive barking is to identify the specific triggers that cause your Newfoundland to bark. Observe your dog closely to determine what situations or stimuli provoke their barking, such as encountering other dogs, strangers approaching, or loud noises. Once you understand the triggers, you can develop a targeted plan to address the issue.
2. Desensitize Your Newfoundland to Triggers:
Desensitization is a gradual process that involves exposing your Newfoundland to its triggers at a comfortable distance, allowing them to become more accustomed to the stimulus without reacting. Over time, you can slowly decrease the distance between your dog and the trigger, always rewarding calm behavior. This process helps your dog become less reactive to the trigger, ultimately reducing their barking.
3. Use Counter-Conditioning with Your Newfoundland:
Counter-conditioning is another technique that can help change your Newfoundland’s emotional response to a trigger. By pairing the trigger with something positive, such as treats or toys, your dog can begin to associate the stimulus with a positive experience rather than fear or anxiety. Over time, this can reduce your dog’s reactive barking.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement with Your Newfoundland:
Reward your Newfoundland for remaining calm and quiet in situations where they would typically react with barking. Consistently offer praise, treats, or affection when your dog displays appropriate behavior in response to their triggers. This positive reinforcement helps your dog learn that there are better ways to cope with their triggers than barking.
5. Teach Your Newfoundland the “Quiet” Command:
Train your Newfoundland to understand and respond to the “quiet” command. When your dog starts barking in response to a trigger, calmly say “quiet” and wait for them to stop. As soon as they are silent, immediately praise and reward them. Repeat this process consistently until your dog associates the command with the desired behavior.
Related: What online dog training program does iHeartDogs recommend for reactive barking?
6. Redirect Your Newfoundland’s Attention:
When your Newfoundland begins to bark reactively, try redirecting their attention to more productive activity. Offer a favorite toy, initiate a training session, or engage in play to refocus their energy. This helps your dog learn that there are alternative ways to react to stimuli, rather than barking.
7. Provide Adequate Exercise and Mental Stimulation for Your Newfoundland:
A well-exercised and mentally stimulated Newfoundland is less likely to engage in reactive barking. Ensure your dog receives enough physical activity and mental stimulation daily through walks, play sessions, and interactive toys. This can help reduce pent-up energy and frustration, which can contribute to reactive barking.
8. Create a Calm Environment for Your Newfoundland:
A chaotic or noisy environment can exacerbate your Newfoundland’s reactive barking. Create a calm and quiet space for your pet, with a comfortable bed and designated area for their toys. Use calming scents, like lavender or chamomile, and soothing sounds, such as classical music or white noise, to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
9. Manage Your Newfoundland’s Environment:
While you work on addressing your Newfoundland’s reactive barking, consider managing your environment to limit exposure to triggers. This may involve using window films to obscure your dog’s view of passersby, creating a designated “safe space” for your dog to retreat to, or using baby gates to restrict access to areas with high trigger exposure. Managing your dog’s environment can help reduce its reactive barking while you work on implementing other strategies.
10. Try an Online Dog Reactivity Training Course
If your Newfoundland’s reactive barking continues despite your efforts, consider consulting with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.
2 online dog training programs we like are:
1. SpiritDog’s “Tacking Reactivity” Course
The SpiritDog Tackling Reactivity Course is an online training program designed to help dog owners address their dog’s reactive barking without the need for expensive in-person training. The course aims to help owners understand their dog’s triggers and teaches techniques to calm and accommodate reactive dogs. Developed by experienced dog trainer Steffi Trott, the program offers video lessons, instructional PDFs, quizzes, and access to trainers for support.
2. K9 Training Institute’s “Dog Masterclass”
More than just an obedience course, this more comprehensive training course tackles any behavior problem you might face with your dog.
10 Reasons Why a Newfoundland Might Be Reactive Barking
- Territorial behavior: Newfoundlands are known to be protective of their home and family, which can lead to barking at strangers.
- Fear or anxiety: If a Newfoundland has experienced a traumatic event or is generally anxious, they may bark in response to certain triggers.
- Playfulness: Some Newfoundlands may bark when they want to play or interact with other dogs or humans.
- Separation anxiety: If a Newfoundland is prone to separation anxiety, it may bark excessively when left alone.
- Boredom: Newfoundlands are intelligent and active dogs that need plenty of mental and physical stimulation. If they don’t get enough exercise and playtime, they may bark out of boredom.
- Lack of socialization: If a Newfoundland hasn’t been properly socialized, it may bark out of fear or discomfort around other dogs or strangers.
- Attention seeking: Some Newfoundlands may bark to get attention from their owners, especially if they’ve learned that barking gets them what they want.
- Medical issues: Pain or discomfort can cause a Newfoundland to bark excessively.
- Prey drive: Newfoundlands are natural hunters and may bark at small animals or birds they perceive as prey.
- Genetics: Some Newfoundlands may have a genetic predisposition to reactive barking, which can make it more difficult to train them to stop.
In conclusion, reactive barking in Newfoundlands can be challenging for dog owners to manage, especially when it is directed towards strangers or other dogs. However, there are various strategies that can help alleviate this behavior and create a calmer and more peaceful living environment for both the dog and its owners. With consistent training, positive reinforcement, and patience, dog owners can help their Newfoundlands overcome their reactive barking tendencies and lead happier, healthier lives. It is important to remember that each dog is unique and may respond differently to various strategies, so it may take some trial and error to find the most effective approach.
NEXT UP: Can an Online Training Course Help Stop My Newfoundland’s Barking?
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