In Vol. 5 of the Mastering Leadership DVD series, Common Canine Misbehaviors, Cesar goes in-depth on the issue of barking.

Hello Cesar,

After 40 years as a dog owner, someone finally said, "Your dog is SO well-behaved." This is after only three weeks of religiously following the plan: exercise, discipline, and affection

Dogs bark as a form of communication. If your dog barks, there is a reason why. It may be simply a response to a stimulus, like a jogger running by the house—or it may be your dog's way of asking for help.

Remember, barking is natural! It's an important means of communication for dogs. But sometimes problems can develop. As the pack leader, it's your job to step in and control excessive barking.

Many early humans brought canines into their settlements to take advantage of one key trait: their bark! They alerted humans to potential dangers and helped keep the camp safe.

Dear Cesar,

I have an American Staffordshire named Coach who is almost 4 years old. We have an extreme problem with Coach barking through the fence at our surrounding neighbors and their dogs.

Dear Cesar,

My parents and I have a thirteen-year-old Standard Poodle named Shadow. She's always been very well behaved and went through training classes as a puppy. She walks well with all of us, and listened attentively to commands (such as "sit" or "quiet"). Unfortunately, she's lost her hearing with age, so verbal commands no longer have the same effect.