While dogs may be genetically wired to bark there are things you can do to teach your Bulldog only to bark at appropriate times and refrain when you expect it not to bark. Barking cannot be bred out of the Bulldog breed. They will never be the barkless Basenji. But barking can be brought under control. Let’s take a look at why Bulldogs bark and then you’ll know what barking can be controlled and how to do it.
Your Bulldog will express itself through barking for a variety of reasons. Barking may show excitement, anger, anxiety, aggression, or fear. Experts have identified a list of barking types:
Just as humans use speech to communicate many things, dogs bark for the same purpose. Don’t expect your Bulldog never to bark. That is unrealistic. They will use barking to express themselves at certain times, regardless of training.
For controlling barking determine when the dog barks excessively, what it is barking at, and if a trigger is present that consistently causes the dog to bark. The key to preventing your Bulldog’s inappropriate barking is to seek to understand what it is communicating in that instance.
For example, if it is barking to mark its territory when the neighbor strolls by with her dog, yelling at the Bulldog to stop probably won’t get long-term good results. Instead, go back to basics. In all your dealings with your pet assert your dominant role as the alpha-leader of the household. Gradually the dog will understand that you are responsible for protecting the territory/yard from that big bad poodle next door and it will relax when Fi Fi is paraded by.
If your Bulldog is barking because it feels threatened, remove the cause of its concern if possible. If the dog on the other side of you is an aggressive German Shepherd that snarls and growls, ask the neighbor to control his animal, or perhaps you’ll have to put up a privacy fence.
In either of these instances simply yelling at your dog in an angry manner without resolving the issue may create continued bad, even aggressive actions. Other helpful hints might be to close your curtains when the dog is indoors so it isn’t inclined to bark at passersby and continue to be a strong, gentle and encouraging leader so your pet feels safe with you in charge.
In some instances a Bulldog may have a problem with anxiety. Barking is one symptom of this, and with time you might even be able to discern the anxious tone in your dog’s specific bark. This type of barking often occurs when you leave your home, even for a few minutes in the garage or yard. If you rush back in to calm your dog during this time it will only reinforce its behavior.
The same goes for heaping attention on your pooch when you come home from being gone for an extended period of time. Instead, let the dog bark when you are outside. If it is annoying anyone step inside only long enough to give the dog a stern word to quiet itself. Anytime you enter the house, try ignoring your Bulldog for 10-15 minutes so that it won’t associate attention with your return home. That association will cause it to bark as soon as it hears your car on the road or your footsteps in the hall.
When you are home, practice leaving the dog inside at longer intervals as you go out. Don’t signal your departure. Simply leave without a work, using different entrances. In time it will become much more relaxed about your coming and going.
Many dog experts suggest you not attempt to eliminate barking altogether. It is too stressful on the dog. Due to some circumstances it may need to blow off a bit of steam just as a person does from time to time. Rather, help the dog know when to speak and when to hush. You don’t want to dull your dog’s instincts for barking when an intruder or other real threat is present.
Uncontrolled dark barking can cause stress in a family, among neighbors, and cause alarm to guests or service people who enter your home. Help your dog learn to control its barking with strong leadership and clear direction and you’ll enjoy better relationships with everyone around you.
Jill B