Show 68: Stop Barking By Acknowledging Danger: Doggy Dan Golden Rule #4

Dogs do not bark just because. Anyone who wants to know how to stop dog barking should understand behind any excessive barking is a real, serious trigger… at least in our dog’s eyes. Indeed, barking is a big behavioral issue! But it is often misunderstood. Most dog owners and even dog trainers treat barking at face value, as if there’s nothing more to it. This is where most solutions get it wrong — they focus on stopping dog barking without addressing the root cause of the problem. Dog owners get frustrated because even if they do get some success, after a few days of silence, the barking resumes! This is what I aim to change with Rule #4 of the Doggy Dan Five Golden Rules. As a top dog trainer who has seen the most notorious of barkers switch off after just a few tries, I have proven that the best way to solve a barking issue is to be the leader WHO DEALS WITH DANGER. A leader who can tell a dog “You can hand over the protecting to me. I deal with danger. I've got you covered. You can relax.” What does this mean and how can you be this kind of leader? Read on to learn more about Doggy Dan’s Golden Rule #4. Key Takeaways: Dogs are naturally protective because for them, all that matters is their survival and the pack’s. Rule #4 focuses on helping dog owners communicate to their dogs “I am in charge, I will decide how to react, I deal with danger, you can relax.” Saying “Thank You!” is one of the ways to make dogs understand that YOU are in charge with danger, not them. LEARN HOW TO STOP DOG BARKING WITH THE DOGGY DAN GOLDEN RULE #4! Table of Contents Recap: Rules #1, #2, #3 of the Doggy Dan Five Golden Rules Rule #4 is Dealing with Danger: Dear Dog, I am in Charge of Danger, Not You How Rule #4 of the Doggy Dan Five Golden Rules Help You React Like a Leader In Charge of Danger What Your Dogs Will Learn From the Rule #4 The Five Most Common Mistakes Dog Owners Do to Stop Dog Barking How to Stop Dog Barking: Calmer Dogs Have Owners Who Understand Rule #4 By Heart Dog Calming Code: Helping Dogs Stop Barking and Live the “Switched Off” Life   How to Stop Dog Barking: Rules #1, #2, #3 of the Doggy Dan Five Golden Rules Recap Important Note: Before you implement Doggy Dan Golden Rule #4 — Dealing with Danger — with your dog training, it’s imperative that you are already following Rules #1, #2, and #3. Unless these rules are in place, you and your dog won’t be able to make Rule #4 work as effectively. To recap, the first three rules focus on winning your dog’s mind by showing them you’re the pack leader, not them: Rule #1 talks about controlling the food and understanding why being in control of the food communicates that you are in charge. (You can check Rule #1 here.). Rule #2 is about the importance of ignoring your dog after separation and why it’s crucial in establishing leadership in the home. (Learn about Rule #2 here.) Rule#3 is about helping your dogs pass on the leadership hat to you through showing them that you and not them call the shots. (Learn about Rule #3 here.) These rules are important prerequisites to make sure Rule #4 really does its magic on your dogs. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DOGGY DAN FIVE GOLDEN RULES WITH THE DOG CALMING CODE Rule #4 is Dealing with Danger: Dear Dog, I am in Charge of Danger, Not You Dogs are naturally very protective of us. Why? As established in the first three blogs for this series, nothing matters more to our dogs than their survival, and the pack’s. (Watch the full video below for Rule #4)   This protectiveness comes from their wolf ancestry as wolves are stalwart in protecting the pack from potential threats. Therefore, anything they think poses any danger to the pack are dealt with VERY SERIOUSLY Strangers walking past the property? Dog will bark. Motorcycle zooms by? Dog barks. Birds swooping through the garden? Dog goes nuts. I often say this: unless trained, dogs are instinctive—they DO what’s natural for them. And what’s natural is to ensure the pack a