In this episode, Aria, Dr. Glenn, and guest dog trainer Anne from Positive Connection explore the final part of their series on barking — how to actually reduce and manage excessive barking in dogs. They discuss practical steps including identifying triggers, changing the environment, managing arousal, and using positive training techniques to build calm behaviour. The conversation covers real-life examples, enrichment strategies, and when to seek veterinary help for anxiety-based barking.
Listener Highlights
- Start by identifying the cause of barking — use cameras if needed to understand what triggers your dog when you’re away.
- Environmental changes can drastically help: limit access to triggers, use visual barriers, bring dogs indoors at night, and create calm, safe spaces.
- Reduce arousal by balancing physical and mental exercise; enrichment activities like scent work and slow feeding can be more effective than long runs.
- Avoid overstimulation — high-energy play or excessive exercise can increase adrenaline and worsen barking behaviour.
- Teach dogs to settle, rest, and “switch off” to lower overall stress and improve responsiveness to training.
- Training approaches depend on the barking type: use “home alone” training for separation anxiety and desensitisation for fear-based barking (e.g., postmen, garbage trucks).
- For territorial or alert barking, teach alternative behaviours like returning to a mat and cue words such as “quiet” or “thank you.”
- Never yell at barking dogs — they interpret it as joining in. Stay calm and redirect instead.
- For anxiety-related barking, combine behaviour modification with aids such as Zylkene, Adaptil pheromone collars, and ThunderShirts under veterinary guidance.
- Address the issue holistically — a mix of training, environmental control, enrichment, and sometimes short-term medication gives the best long-term results.
Jump to a Section
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 – 01:34 | Introduction — Aria, Dr. Glenn, and Anne discuss the goal of reducing barking rather than eliminating it completely. |
| 01:35 – 3:16 | First steps: identify causes of barking using observation and neighbour communication. |
| 3:18 – 6:56 | Changing the environment — visual barriers, moving dogs away from triggers, and limiting exposure to stimulating areas. |
| 6:56 – 10:09 | Managing arousal: balancing excitement, physical and mental stimulation, and promoting calmness. |
| 10:10 – 14:56 | Using enrichment, mental stimulation, and feeding toys to reduce boredom-related barking. |
| 15:10 – 17:24 | Training techniques for anxiety and fear-based barking — desensitisation, counter-conditioning, and “home alone” exercises. |
| 17:25 – 20:39 | Teaching alternative behaviours — redirecting alert barking, “quiet” cue, and positive reinforcement. |
| 20:40 – 24:30 | Managing barking when owners aren’t home, creating indoor calm spaces, and using doggy daycare where appropriate. |
| 24:30 – 29:59 | Addressing anxiety-based barking: supplements, pheromones, medication, and the importance of veterinary input. |
General advice only. Always consult your veterinarian or a qualified trainer for guidance specific to your pet.