Dog behaviourist shares ‘worst thing’ to do when dog barks

A dog behaviourist has shared the ‘worst thing’ you can do when your dog is showing signs of distress that will only upset you both further.

Will Atherton, who is known as @iamwillatherton on social media, has taken to TikTok to share what owners should do when your dog is crying or barking.

He says many owners make a ‘common mistake’ when trying to prevent this behaviour – instead explaining how their actions actually worsen it.

He said in his clip: “What is the worst thing that you can do with a crying dog? Now, as a canine behaviourist, I help people with a whole range of different problem behaviours that they’re’ dealing with their dogs.

“One of them the single most annoying is dogs that cry and bark excessively. The mistake that I see so many owners make time and time again is when their dog starts crying or barking, they then give them attention.”

Mocking owners, he added: “Oh what’s the matter, oh you don’t have to worry, mummy’s here”.

While owners think they’re reassuring their pet, he says they’re actually reinforcing the behaviour, meaning the dog will cry or bark when they next want some attention.

“When they want to be let out of their crate, they’ll cry and bark to be left out. They learn that crying and barking gets them what they want,” he added.

“You have to flip the script when they’re being calm and quiet, you give them attention, praise and reinforce that behaviour and find loving ways to be able to challenge the behaviours of crying and barking.”

Commenting on his post, one user said: “Golden advice. New lab puppy won’t stop screaming when she’s in the crate for the night.”

Another user added: “My dog sometimes cries in his sleep so we pet him a bit.” Meanwhile, a third user asked: “What if they’re crying because they’re scared.”

One more user added: “My dog whines when I get home from work I’ve learnt to ignore it until he stops then I give him attention today was the first time he learnt it.”

Another user said: “If they bark or wine constantly, I shut the door and if they still don’t shut up after like 10 minutes we go in there and yell ‘SHUT UP!’ Then they stop.”