A pup less yappy keeps nem happy!

A young pup that barks at people or noises is more likely to develop into a nuisance barker. If you have a pup that is starting to bark at everything that moves, check out our list of tips and tools to break the habit before it forms. Additionally, socialising your pup has been proven to help mature him or her into a well-adjusted dog.

If your dogos barking is becoming a nuisance, consider the following tips:

Do not console a barking dog; this will reward or reinforce barking.

Immediately discourage undesirable behaviour and praise good behaviour (this applies to fearful and aggressive behaviour as well).

Teach your dog that it is allowed to bark to alert you and it should then stop barking.

Seek professional help if your dog is too difficult for you to handle, and do not feel you have failed - it takes special skills to be able to train dogs successfully.

Ensure your dog has daily exercise - you should exercise your dog at least once a day so that you tire your dog out.

Ensure your dog is occupied - provide bones for chewing and/ or balls and toys for playing.

Ensure your dog is confined in a way that it is unable to see things to bark at.

Arrange with another dog owner for your dogs to play together.

Council is happy to answer any questions you may have regarding Animal Control. You can get in touch with the Council team by emailing to info@tararuadc.govt.nz or phoning 06 374 4080 or 06 376 0110.