ATTENTION BARKING
If you find it bothersome when your dog barks at you or others, the best reaction is no reaction. The more you respond to your dog’s barking with eye contact and verbal response, the more you engage them in a conversation. Leaving the room, however, removes the opportunity for your dog to communicate with you in an uninvited manner. If you interpret your dog’s barking to mean, “I want a treat,” “I want to play,” or, “aren’t you going to share that pizza?”, ignore your dog until he or she stops, reestablish yourself as leader by making them sit or lie down—and only if they’re being quiet—then reward them with either love and praise or if appropriate, give them what you think they’re asking for. Be consistent about responding in this way, and they will soon learn to find more appropriate and quiet ways of getting your attention.