by KYW's Nan Tallena
Barking is a perfectly natural form of communication for your dog. But excessive barking may be a sign of a problem that you need to address.
There are many types of barks: warning, greeting, excitement, fear, frustration, loneliness, and boredom.
First, you must determine why your dog is barking excessively. Does he have enough food and fresh water? Is there adequate shelter provided? Does he have the proper chew toys to keep him occupied? Is he deprived of socialization? How does he react to people and other dogs?
Most importantly, is he getting enough daily exercise -- meaning a good structured walk that provides mental stimulation as well as physical exercise for at least 30 minutes a day?
Remember, never punish a dog for what comes naturally, just step back and try to determine the reason why. Your dog can then be redirected to the appropriate behavior.
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