My pet is perfect, but ...
Why is my pet so noisy?
Woof, meow, bark! Whatever the noise, too much of it may drive you, and the neighbours, crazy. So how to get it under control? Pets can make excessive noise for several obvious reasons.
Noisy pets
Here are five of the most common reasons for a noisy pet:
- Are they where they want to be? Often pets want to go outside, come inside, and go outside again, all day. A dog or cat door that gives pets the freedom to come and go means they won’t need to get your attention to open the door.
- Irregular feeding times can make pets nervous and vocally demanding. They may start to fret in case they are never fed again. Standard feeding times establish a habit so they are not worried about where their next meal is coming from.
- Do they just want some attention? Regular pats and cuddles help pets feel more comfortable and less inclined to be noisy.
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- Are they bored? Dogs, especially, need lots of walks and stimuli, but cats can also benefit from a few toys to distract them. In particular, if you are away during the day, provide lots of toys to keep pets entertained.
- Often, outside and distant noises can set dogs off. Even some cats will go into ‘guard’ mode. You will probably have to check out what they are barking or meowing at, to reassure them it is okay. Stick your head out the door, look around, and then give them a pat for being so good at letting you know there’s a problem. If there is a real distraction, such as another animal, you may ultimately have to remove it.
Discipline if necessary
If you’ve satisfied these basic needs, and there is still excessive barking and meowing, then it is time for some discipline.
If a dog still just barks for attention, you need to change its behaviour by totally ignoring it when it is barking inappropriately. When it stops barking, encourage it to do something acceptable like go to its bed where you might provide a treat. This will help your dog learn better ways to get attention.
Another technique is to choose a command and use it every time you want the dog to be quiet. Work out what sets the pet off and, if necessary, replicate the situation. Put the dog on a lead and as soon as the dog goes to bark, use the lead to force the dog to the floor while firmly stating the command. When the dog obeys, give them a treat. Eventually the dog should recognise the command without the need for the lead.
By nature, some breeds tend to bark more than others. Beagles and kelpies, for example, like to bark, and Siamese cats are more inclined to meow.
As always it pays to go to the vet if the noise represents a change in behaviour or no other methods work.
| Sound familiar? Well, we are here to help. We are going to try to answer your questions, give you some tips for reducing the 'annoying' behaviour and sometimes just give you some understanding. A wise person once said, understanding is the booby prize because sometimes you just can't do anything about it ... but we can try. So if you have a question click here and let us know. |
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