How to stop a dog from barking at strangers ?

Many of the dog owners must be having this question on why do dog barks when the door is knocked or when a guest visits the house. A dog barking when a door is knocked or when some one is at the door is absolutely normal. However excessive barking is not normal. A dog may bark due to several reasons it can be Anxiety, Excitement, Aggression, Fear. The best way to stop a dog from barking execissively or without any reason is to first condition the dog. This might take a lot of time of yours. As well as a lot of patience is required. You might have to practice this technique over and over again to get the best results from your dog. Now lets learn on how can a dog be stopped from barking excessively at strangers or guest visiting your house.

Firstly, as said you need to condition the dog. Initially keep your dog on a leash, take your dog towards the door. Yourself, start knocking the door with dog on the leash. Once the dog barks take him away from the door. Once the dog is away from the door make him sit and praise his calm behaviour. Try to keep your pocket full with some yummy treats that the dog loves. Repeat the same thing again, once again take the dog close to the dog, knock the door. Once the dog barks take him away by showing him treats make him sit and praise the behaviour. Now try the same thing without the leash and instead of you knocking the door tell someone in your family or friends to knock the door from out. Once the dog runs towards the door and starts barking. Don't open the door. Take the dog away from the door make him sit and at the same time command him to stay as well. Don't open the door fully as it will make the dog more anxious to run towards the door. Just open the door slightly and close it. If the dog doesn't move from his place, praise him and repeat the same this over and over again.

Now, once the dog learns to stay and doesn't move when you partially open the door. Try opening the door completely and you can tell your family and friend to enter the house with a calm and stable energy. If the dog moves repeat the process once again. If the dog stays when you command him to sit and stay, reward his behaviour. Start it off with known people and later you can take help of unknown people whom the dog doesn't know.

Lastly, try to be patient as the dog will tend to run multiple times towards the door as he listens to any noise or when some one is at the door. Repeat the process again and be consistent. Eventually the dog will get an idea on what he has to do and will get use to the noise of the door and when someone is at the door. Now if you have a dog, who is calm and just barks at times when he sees some one at the door, don't try to stop that. As its natural for all the dogs to bark as thats how they communicate. Don't expect them to stop barking completely. If its an aggressive dog, consult your dog trainer before you training him and demonstrating the following techniques. Now the important thing to note, this all are just tips as this is a major issue in some dogs and needs a lot of practice and this technique might not even work with all the dogs. So its better to know your dog first and work with your dog trainer. Try not to yell and shout at your dog, when your dog barks as it will make the situation more worse.

Train your dog to bow !

Well yes, train your dog to do the cute trick of bowing by following this simple technique. Once your dog is familiar with Sit and Lie down, then it wont be a trouble to teach your dog to bow. Start on with some treats in your hand. Its better to keep the dog standing. Once the dog stands in front of you and is fully focused on the treat, take the treat close to his nose and lure the treat down towards the ground. Your hand should stay close to your dogs nose. If you take your hand back while on the ground the dog will eventually lie down. Just lure your dog keeping your hand close to his nose, hold on that position for few second and move the hand upward keeping in mind that your hand is still close to his nose. Once the dog stands praise him with treat and affection.

Follow this training every alternate days or every day for 15 - 20 mins. By the time the dog understands he has to go down and he has to hold him self, start praising him verbally as in 'Good Boy, Good Job' in an excited tone. Once the dog stands after listening to your excited tone praise him with treat. Also increase the bow time from few second to a minute as some dogs might take time to adjust their body to the bow position. Once the dog masters the trick, start using hand signals and praise him with affection and toy rather then treat.

Never force any dog to get to the bow position as its a natural tendency for all dogs to bow down while stretching, people facing difficulty to get the dog to the bow position can take the advantage of their natural tendency. Yes, when the dog wakes up and stretches say "Good Bow" and praise the dog with love and affection. Repeat it every time you see your dog stretching and then later try treats and the dog will get an idea on what he needs to do in order to get affection and treat. You can also make the dog bow while the dog is playing with any toy or ball. Most of the dog do learn with treat, but few don't get in to that position even after giving treat. So better start off with "rough - housing". Once the dog goes in to that position while playing or streching, praise him with some jackpot. Be consistent, praise each and every steps he takes and your dog will eventually master the bow command.

Why do dog eats grass ?

There are several pet parents coming up with the same issue that they face with their dog. Now dogs are not cow to graze on a grass. But still most of the dogs are seen doing this activity and its not just domesticated dogs, this behaviour is also seen in most wild dogs as well. It's a common problem which is seen in all dogs and it is also a natural behaviour. Now the main question arrives that why do dog eats grass?. Is it because dogs that eats grass are sick. Well, lets find the reason on why do dogs eats grass and ways to prevent them from doing so.

There are several reasons on why a dog is eating grass, it can be because the dog is sick. Yes, many dog owner claims that when their dog is sick they tend to eat grass in order to get nutrients and vitamins. Other pet parents claim that its because the dog has an upset stomach and after eating grass the dog might vomit, which makes them feel better. Now in most of the dogs its observed that dogs throws up after grazing on the grass. Then why do dog eat grass if they have throw up what they have eaten. Well, not all dog throws up after eating grass. It can be either case i.e the dog is not getting proper nutrition through its food or the dog is having an upset stomach because of which he tends to graze on the grass. 

Now is that healthy and should a dog be allowed to eat grass ? Well, if the dog is eating the grass just because of the boredom, its better to indulge the dog in playing and walking which will divert its attention. Most of the plants and grass have certain bacteria, parasite and most of them have pesticides on them as well. Which may not be healthy for the dogs. Hence considering these point before letting the dog free to eat grass is very important. Grass eating is not at all harmful however if it increases over time medical attention is must. You can find several alternatives by taking advice from vets such as buying a small tray of grass just for the dog, or starting an herbal home garden. 

If the behaviour persist its better to consult a vet, certain modification can be done in the dogs diet. Wherein certain nutrients and fibre can be increased. which will avoid the dog from grazing on the grass. Also a routine check up to the vet is must in order to avoid upset stomach and other medical issue.