What to do if your dog barks?

A dog may bark from excitement, frustration, fear or to ask for attention. The sound alone does not tell you why: also watch its posture and what is going on around it.

Beginner — Reacting on the spot

1. Keep your voice calm. Avoid shouting “Quiet!” or jerking the lead. The RSPCA recommends encouraging the behaviours you want with rewards and not shouting at or punishing the dog.
2. Create space. If it barks as dogs go past, leave the busy walkway and find a quieter spot. Keep it on the lead, without pushing it to meet the dog that sets it off. Dogs Trust advises increasing the distance when faced with a worrying or over-stimulating situation.
3. Reward a simple behaviour. When it can look at you again or walk calmly beside you, praise it and reward it. Ask for an exercise it knows rather than a string of commands. Reward-based learning helps develop the behaviours you want to see again.

The useful phrase: “He needs a bit of space, I’m going to move over.”

Intermediate — Adapting the wait and your turn

1. Spot the trigger. Does it bark when a dog approaches, when you walk away or after a long wait? Note these circumstances: they guide your response. For example, barking while you are away can signal separation distress.
2. Step in before it gets carried away. If it notices a dog but is still responsive, invite it to follow you or do an easy exercise, then reward it. The RSPCA advises distracting the dog before the barking starts when possible.
3. Tell the ring steward if it disrupts your turn. If your dog can no longer concentrate, ask where to wait. In the ring, follow the judge’s instructions. If the barking comes with persistent fear or attempts to escape, stop the presentation rather than prolong the difficulty.

Advanced — Preparing for the next show

1. Work on an achievable difficulty. Train a useful behaviour — looking at you, walking with you or settling on a mat — in a quiet place. Then add distractions gradually, with short sessions. This suggestion applies the learning principles recommended by the RSPCA.
2. Prepare a waiting routine. Find a spot away from the traffic, plan breaks and a suitable familiar activity. Avoid letting your dog watch the ring entrance non-stop. Rest in a quiet space is part of Dogs Trust’s recommendations for dogs overwhelmed by their surroundings.
3. Ask for help if the problem changes or persists. Barking that suddenly becomes more frequent warrants a vet’s opinion to look for a possible health problem. For a recurring difficulty, a behaviour professional using reward-based methods can build a suitable programme.

Does barking lead to disqualification?

A single bark is not, on its own, an automatic reason for disqualification under the FCI criteria consulted. The judge assesses behaviour as a whole, notably against the breed standard.

The regulations provide for disqualification for aggressive behaviour and for “Cannot be judged” when the movement or examination cannot be assessed. Barking, being aggressive and preventing the examination are therefore situations to be told apart.

The memory aid: “I look for the cause, I create space and I reward calm behaviour.”

Sources

• RSPCA: How to help your dog behave well
• Dogs Trust: Help for reactive dogs
• RSPCA: Dog barking
• FCI: Regulations for FCI Dog Shows (PDF)