How Do I Stop Dogs From Coming Into My Yard and Barking

By Barbara Haynes

Before I became a dog owner, I always noticed barking dogs, or even dogs coming into my yard. I still notice dogs barking in the neighbor hood, but get a little cross because they are disturbing my dogs. It is a natural behavior for all dogs to bark, they are protecting their territory, and their leaders because you are their leader of the pack. When your dog senses fear or danger they want too warn you, this gives you the ability to identify the trigger that starts your dogs barking.

One special time my dogs bark is when people and their dogs walk past the house the barking starts. Tibby and Charlie have a special window where they sit and watch the world go by. We all tell Tibby and Charlie "Be Quiet", or "No Barking", they are not yelled at, or scolded. A friend of mine told me many years ago, "You raised two daughters, and you can raise two dogs". This is how I have treated my dogs, and when they obeyed, they are rewarded with treats when they obey.

There are dogs all around us in suburban South Australia, when they hear dogs barking over the back fence, Tibby and Charlie are like kids, they want to go outside and talk too their friends. I have too go outside and call them inside, I talk too them like human beings as they are part of the family, usually there is no problem getting them inside and quieting down. Roaring at them does not do any good, just remember, "If you roared at your kids, did they do as they are told?" I will bet they did not! "Remember reward them if they come inside straight away!"

Depending on your property, you need a good fence and gates to keep your dogs in your yard and too stop other dogs getting in your yard. Many Hardware stores can help you before you get a dog or dogs, either to keep your dogs in their own yard, or prevent dogs or cats from venturing onto your property.

There is a lot of work to do, finding the best fence for your property and training your dogs not too bark. The attitude I took when we took on the responsibility of becoming a dog owner, was that of a leader, the same as we are the leader of our families. If you are prepared to do the work, your dogs will respect you, the same way your children respect you.