Pug Barking
What You Should Know about Pug Barking
Pug barking can be incessant and excessive. For the owner of the Pug, it can be frustrating and confusing when it comes to trying to control the barking, which can be enough to give anyone a headache. So what does all of that barking mean and what can you do about it?
To your Pug, the Pug barking is important. He's not doing it to get a rise out of you or to annoy you, although for the most part that is what seems to happen. The fact is, Pugs can bark for many reasons and figuring out why your Pug is barking is the first step in controlling it.
Basically, Pugs use barking to communicate with us. Unfortunately, they don't have the vocal cards to tell us that they don't feel well, that they're hungry or thirsty, that something is wrong, or that there's an intruder in the house. What they can do, however, is bark. And boy can they bark well!
Sometimes, Pug barking is the result of your Pug trying to protect you. You might not see or hear a threat, but that doesn’t mean that your Pug doesn’t. For one thing, your dog has better ears than you. For another, your dog might sense things that you don't. Lastly, your dog might not always be able to differentiate between what is a threat and what isn't. He might not know that the pest people come by every Tuesday to spray your house for spiders. What he might know, however, is that there are two strange men standing outside your door with strange looking equipment.
If you think that this might be the cause of your Pug barking, then stay calm and let him know that everything is okay. Speak in a soft, but firm, voice. Pat him gently and try to calm him down. Don't raise your voice or yell, or else this might make him even more excited because he might interpret that as your being frightened.
Once your Pug calms down, reward him and let him know that he did a good job. It's important that even when he is quiet, you give him positive reinforcement.
Sometimes, a Pug might bark just because he is bored. Dogs need to be active and stimulated and if they're not, they might find other ways to amuse themselves. Barking is one way to stave off boredom. Try to make sure that your Pug has interesting and varied toys to play with. They need toys that are interactive and keep them occupied, not just something that they can chew on.
It's also important that your Pug get plenty of exercise. Take him for a walk, let him run around your yard, and play with him. This helps keep him healthy and entertained at the same time.
Pugs need interaction with you, too. They like to learn new tricks, to cuddle, to play games, and to feel included in your life. Much like a child, they need attention from their owners. If your Pug feels neglected or ignored, it might lead to more barking.
Understanding why Pugs bark can help you control the barking in the future. Above all, it's important not to use physical threats to your Pug or to punish him for the barking. Instead, using a calm voice, letting him know that everything is okay, and providing some stimulating attention to him if he is bored can all go a long way in curbing the barking that can sometimes drive you over the edge. Your Pug wants to please you and the barking can oftentimes be their way of letting you know they care.