The Barking Dog

A dog behavior that can affect a whole neighborhood is barking.

Fulton Heights has a very large dog population and that means that there is a pretty good chance that we will hear some barking.

Dogs bark for many reasons, among them to warn of danger or an intruder on their territory, or to sound an alarm that something is not right.  Our dog Levon barks at the neighbor’s cat when he comes up on our porch (sometimes in the early morning hours).  Virgil barks at our mail carrier (unless she gives him dog biscuits).   Their barking is normal, that is what dogs do – and sometimes it’s exactly what we expect of them and why we appreciate them.  But the other bark,and you can tell the difference if you listen closely, could mean something else – the dog could be hungry or cold, but most of the time it is because the dog is either bored or lonely.

This is where exercise is so important.  Tired dogs sleep and sleeping dogs do not bark.  One form of exercise which is the very best thing you can do with your dog is the walk.  Dogs need to get out of their backyards and houses to spend some good quality time with their owners.  Our neighborhood and great city has wonderful sidewalks just for that reason.  The controlled “roam” is the best way for your dog to sniff and explore his world and burn up energy.

When you get home that tired dog typically won’t become a barking problem.