How to Stop a Doberman Pinscher Barking
Dobermans are known to be intelligent, protective and loyal guard dogs, thus, their suitability as family pets once properly trained. But as with all things related to the relationship between dogs and humans, there is a downside to these positive traits – excessive barking.
Since dogs have a keener sense of hearing than humans, they tend to bark at distant sounds deemed to be a threat to their pack – the family who owns them. Thus, families with Dobermans will complain of excessive barking in the middle of the night, among other inappropriate times. Luckily, barking is one of the problems related with Doberman ownership that can be solved with practical tips along with patience, understanding and love.
Dobermans are very energetic dogs that require daily exercises. When it barks excessively, it may be a symptom of boredom from the lack of physical exercises and mental stimulation. Keep in mind, too, that Dobermans are among the most intelligent dog breeds, thus, the need for mental stimulation in the form of games and social interaction with both other humans and other dogs.
A Doberman will bark when faced with threats to protect itself and its family. So it is not advisable either to stop it from barking since it is a form of communication and protection amongst dogs, not to mention the foremost way to communicate with humans. Instead, you should teach your Doberman to speak, in a manner of speaking. Training is essential, which can involve teaching the dog to bark twice when a guest is at the door. Teach him to stay while you open the door to let the guest into the house.
It is also necessary to understand dog language. If your dog appears anxious about something and will not stop barking even after being commanded to keep quiet, then you must check out the cause of the commotion. Dobermans are guard dogs and may be telling you about a potential threat so take heed.
However, it is a different story when you are crate training the Doberman. You must ignore his barking since it is a way to get your attention. Just make sure that your pet has clean water and food as well as a few chew toys in his spacious crate so that he can be comfortable. If you must check in on the dog, do so when he has stopped barking and then praise him for his good behavior. Otherwise, he will associate barking with getting your attention, which cannot be good in the future.
It is important to train regularly and consistently. The Doberman may be an intelligent breed but it will take more than a few sessions and a few praises to let the message sink in. Just practice the commands consistently and you should see the results sooner than later.
It is important to achieve the right mix between barking and not barking in Dobermans. After all, it is their way of communicating with dogs and humans alike, which is necessary for their survival and well-being.