Dogs bark - it's their way of communicating with each other and with us - and no owner should expect to have a completely silent dog. It's unreasonable to expect dogs to be quiet if there is a knock at the door, for example: it's their duty to tell us that there's someone there! However, problems can arise when a dog barks excessively.

Why is your dog barking?
If your dog barks more than is usual, the first step is to consider why he or she is barking. Also, make a note of when your dog barks and the type of sound it is, so you can address the underlying emotional cause better.

• Is your dog uncomfortable, or in pain? Take your dog to the vet for a check-up.
• Is your dog bored? Make sure you set more quality time aside for training, playing stimulating games such as 'find the treat', and general exercise. Ask a trainer for help and advice - you can find information about qualified trainers by visiting www.apdt.co.uk or www.coape.org.
• Is your dog barking because it's been left alone and is trying to call you back? Are you in fact leaving your dog alone for too long? If so, you might need to find a dog-sitter or walker who can provide company while you're away. Or, if your dog is actually only left for short periods, is he or she becoming over-dependent on you? You may need the help of a behaviourist, on referral from your vet, to teach your dog to feel secure with his or her own company. Again, try www.apdt.co.uk or www.coape.org for local sources of help.

Think of barking as a symptom - simply stopping your dog barking doesn't resolve the real problem. That's why 'automatic' anti-bark collars of any sort, but especially electric or unpleasant scent firing ones should not be used. You may simply turn the barking into even more disturbing behaviour.

Obsessive barking
Some dogs get into a 'bark loop' and find it difficult to stop barking once they start. Again, look at the situation from your dog's point of view. What do you do when your dog barks? Most owners start shouting at their pets to quieten down, which often as not will be interpreted by the dog as a sign of agitation but rather as you joining in with the barking. The dog then think it's justified in its actions and barks all the more.

Instead, try and be patient. Call the dog to you in a calm, controlled way, diverting attention with some basic training exercises and rewarding the animal for stopping. This may be all that's needed. If the problem is more deep-rooted, however, seek help from either a trainer for noisy puppies and young dogs, or a behaviourist who can help with persistent barking or howling problems in older dogs. Your vet will be able to provide you with some reliable names.