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Barking problems what can we do?
Barking is only one of the many vocalizations
a dog uses, namely, growling, howling, the sharp cry, whining, meowing,
barking, and coughing. Besides these signals, other sounds can be emitted
such as the chattering of teeth and panting.
Like all behaviours, barking is a motor act. Although the
capacity to vocalize is of genetic origin, these vocalizations are learned
while the dog develops (from howling to barking). It is important to note
that howling is a vocalization of juvenile nature in occidental races who
have a larger range of vocalizations, whereas in the Nordic and Asiatic
races, it constitutes the only vocalization.
Barking usually corresponds to a state of excitement which
varies according to race, as well as age. It is reinforced by the master who
communicates via language and sees an analogical pattern in the
vocalizations. Thus, the dog imitates his master, and uses and abuses
vocalization patterns learned from the latter. It is important to note that
this is not a language, but rather the only way he has to signal his
presence over long distances. For example, in a hunting situation, the dog's
vocalizations are indispensable to their cooperation, as well as to defend
the territory of the pack. On the other hand, in the presence of their
master, it is used as a call to play, or as a threatening stance.
Excessive vocalization other than for territorial
considerations are the most frequent, and they can be attributed to
behaviour problems such as separation anxiety (from puppy to adolescence),
the Hypersensitivity-Hyperactivity Syndrome (from birth to adulthood),
posttraumatic and social phobias (at any age), restraint stereotypes, or
rhythmic barking coupled with on-ground receptions, along with stationary
jumping (specific to working dogs who have been retired, and dogs tied up or
kept in restricted spaces), ritualistic anxiety, where the barking is
sustained by jumps from the front paws, the syndrome of hyper-attachment to
the adult, which signals chronic depression, as well as involution
depression in an old dog, in which case howling and sharp cries can be heard
upon awakening. These barks can occur either during the presence or the
absence of the master, and their occurrence can be minor, as they constitute
only 10% of behaviour problems, excluding separation anxiety. Separation
anxiety represents 25% of all euthanasia cases in puppies, or abandonment;
but in the case of behaviour problems, the occurrence is lower, at 20%.
Between 10% and 20% of barking is caused by behaviour problems related to
the dog's stage of development, and 80% are attributed to territorial
barking. Such behaviour problems are treated by way of adequate
chemotherapy, which is the responsibility of the veterinarian, followed by
behaviour therapy which behoves the owners, either assisted by canine
educators or behaviour specialists.
Excessive vocalizing in dogs constitutes auditory
contamination for which there exists no costumbrism, but rather a decrease
in auditory capacity, nervousness, head pains, neuralgia, neurosis, sleep
disorders, as well as excitation of the neurovegetative system which
translates into nausea, digestion problems, as well as an increase in the
heart rate. Decibels produced by barking can vary between 60 and 110
decibels, whereas in a dwelling or an apartment, the human tolerance level
is at 45 decibels. Excessive vocalization therefore represents a
contamination problem, and consequently, a social problem which affects the
owner and his neighbours. It is not rare to have neighbours complain about
the noise, and they will do anything to make sure the owner finds a quick
solution to the problem.
When a dog owner uses the ABS Anti-Barking Collar device to train a dog
not to bark excessively, a disruptive stimulus is triggered by way of
surprise or opposite direction in the stimulus, whereby the animal's four
senses (sight, smell, touch and hearing) are affected, thus redirecting the
dog towards another behaviour pattern as his attention shifts. As many
authors have reported, the ABS Anti-Barking Collar device holds many advantages in that the
device causes no anxiety for the animal. As it is not a punitive device,
relapses are rated at 3.8% after three months of treatment, thus proving its
durability and efficiency after said period, first by wearing the collar
with no citronella inside, then by removing the collar altogether (we
recommend, however, that the collar be used at regular intervals in order to
reinforce the training of a barking dog). Its innocuousness is a sure sign
of effectiveness, as no side effects occur, and more particularly, no signs
of aggressiveness occur.
The device is especially recommended for territorial
barking (that is, threatening vocalizing from dogs placed in closed spaces,
where they are restricted in their movements, isolated...). It is also used
to treat simple or social phobias. Using the device to treat behaviour
problems where barking is only a symptom can significantly reduce excessive
vocalization during the first few weeks. However, it is vital that each case
be treated according to an established diagnosis by conducting adequate
chemotherapy, as well as behavioural or cognitive therapies which are
incumbent on the veterinarian who prescribes them. The molecules used to
treat behaviour problems require on average from four to six weeks before a
significant decrease in neurovegetative symptoms is detected, in order for
behaviour therapy to begin. Using ABS Anti-Barking Collar during the first few weeks is an
interesting way to counter barking and avoid nuisance.
Using ABS Anti-Barking Collar either on its own or combined with
chemotherapy calls upon cognitive behavioural therapies in which the dog's
attention is caught when he has stopped barking (either by playing with him
or taking him outside for a stroll), and by showing indifference when he
barks, or by rewarding silence.
References:
Dehasse, Joel (1998) "L'éducation du chien". Quebec, Canada
: Le Jour Éditeur p.287
Dramard, V. (May 2000) " Conduite à tenir devant un chien
fugueur " Le Point Vétérinaire, Vol. 31, no. 207 pp 247-254.
Juarbe-Diaz, S, Houpt, K. (May-June 1996) "Comparison of
two antibarking collars for treatment of nuisance barking. J. Animal
Hospital Association, vol. 32, no 3 pp.231-235.
Pageat, P. (1998) "Pathologie du comportement du chien".
France : Maisons-Alfort, Éditions du Point Vétérinaire (382 p.)
Pageat, P., Tessier, Y. (1997) " Disruptive stimulus :
definition and application in behaviour therapy ". Birmingham, U.K. :
Proceedings of the first International Conference on Veterinary Behavioural
Medicine, p. 187
Note: please do not hesitate to contact us at
MULTIVET if you have any questions concerning the ABS Anti-Barking Collar device. We also
encourage you to give our toll-free number
Victoria: 03 9360 9382, Queensland: 07 54 28
3666 to any owners at
grips with barking dogs, so that we may assist them with any technical
problems which could arise after purchasing ABS Anti-Barking Collar.
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