How to Stop a Dog from Barking? Barking is a natural form of communication for dogs, but too much barking can be annoying for you and your neighbors. If your dog’s barking is causing tension at home or complaints from disgruntled neighbors, you should take heart in knowing that you’re not alone — and that there are well-proven, humane methods of teaching your dog when to keep his beautiful muzzle closed. Here is a practical, comprehensive guide on how to prevent a dog from barking, created both out of expert advice and dog training that has been proven to work.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
Before you can tackle barking, it’s important to figure out why your dog is making noise in the first place. Dogs bark for all sorts of reasons, to alert you to strangers, let off a little steam, to get a pat on the head or even just to get some other dogs to stop barking. Much like in real estate, the location of the barking is the first clue to diagnosing its cause and finding the solution.
Step 1: Identify the Triggers
Watch your dog and take note of when and where they’re barking. When added pressure is there — by the window, by itself, or when the door bell rings? It may be useful to keep a diary for a few days to identify patterns and triggers.
Step 2: No Punishing—Stay Calm and Be Consistent
Yelling at your dog, or punishing him for barking is not only ineffective, but may actually make things worse, increasing your dog’s stress or anxiety. How to Stop a Dog from Barking. Instead, aim to make your training sessions positive and fun. It makes consistency crucial–try to get everyone in your house on the same page so your dog isn’t receiving mixed messages.
Step 3: Understand the Environment
Typically you can decrease barking by changing the environment of your dog:
- Block visual triggers: Use curtains, blinds or privacy film to block what your dog sees, so he can’t get worked up at people or animals outside.
- Minimize noise: Play background music or leave the TV on to drown out stimuli that could prompt barking.
- Stimulate mentally: Provide puzzle toys, treat-dispensing toys or interactive games to keep your pooch occupied and prevent boredom barking.
- Fulfill their needs: Make sure your dog is getting sufficient exercise, playtime and attention. A tired, happy dog is less likely to bark because he’s bored or upset.
Step 4: Build a Culture of Responding to Quiet, Not to Barking
If your dog barks to demand food, leave the room or put the dog in the crate at mealtime and only release them when the barking has stopped. Wait for a lull, then give them what they want. This trains your dog that quite gets them what they want, not barking.
For instance, if your dog barks in his crate, or behind a dog gate, only open them, or reward them with a treat, when they are quiet — even if it’s just for a moment. How to Stop a Dog from Barking. Once there, slowly add time to the amount of time they need to keep quiet to receive their reward.
Step 5: Teach the “Quiet” Command To do this, wait until your dog barks, ring the doorbell or knock, and give your dog the command “Quiet.”
Teaching your dog to stop barking on command is one of the easiest ways to control excessive barking. Here’s how:
- Initiate the barking (such as ringing the doorbell).
- Let your dog bark a couple of times, then wave a treat in front of his nose. When they are quiet and focused on the treat, say “quiet” in a level, firm voice.
- The minute your dog goes silent, praise and reward.
- Do this multiple times in brief sessions per day.
- Test the cue: After a while, just say “quiet” and don’t show her the treat first at all. And when your dog stops barking, reward them. If not, return to pairing the treat with the word.
- Practice in a variety of settings and in response to other triggers so your dog can generalize the command.
- Raise the threshold of how long your dog has to be quiet before she gets a treat and then switch entirely to random treats or even just praise.
Step 6: Train Your Dog to be Less Reactive Towards Triggers
If your dog barks at something (like people walking by or other dogs), slowly acclimate them to the trigger from far enough away that they don’t bark. Reward relaxed behavior and gradually reduce the distance a little each time. If your dog begins to bark, you’re too close—back up and try again.
For instance, with a dog who barks at other dogs on walks, have a friend with a dog stand at the distance at which your dog does not get aroused. Reward your dog for remaining calm, and then gradually over several sessions decrease the distance.
Step 7: Train Incompatible Behaviors A dental chew not only helps teething puppies, but also gives them a proper place to chew, offering a way to redirect the unwanted biting.
When a trigger happens, ask your dog to do something that’s incompatible with barking, such as going to their bed or sitting quietly. For instance, throw a treat on their bed and tell them to “go to your bed” when the doorbell rings. Introduce the distraction (e.g., person outside your front door) in small steps, starting with the least-distracting level of that distraction (e.g., have someone stand 10 feet away from your front door). Coroutine Narrowly Increase the level of distraction or proximity.USE Meet the distraction for a small greeting.Then immediately go back to easy for your dog.
Step 8: Stay Away From Scary or Stressful Triggers
RIGLEY DENTAL “If your dog is a fearful barker, do your best to limit exposure to the thing that your dog is barking at. For example, cover windows if they bark at passersby, or get a pet sitter if they are afraid to be alone. For some, the fears are so deep-seated that they may benefit from help from a behaviorist.
Step 9: Increase Exercise and Mental Stimulation
A bored or poorly exercised dog will bark to excess. Ensure your dog receives vigorous physical activity and mental stimulation daily. This might be walks, play, training games, or interactive toys.
Step 10: Get Professional Help if Necessary
And if you’re unable to stop their barking with your best efforts, or if it’s based in anxiety or fear, seek advice from a certified dog trainer or behaviorist who works with positive reinforcement methods. They can customize a plan to suit your dog’s medical and practical requirements.
What Not to Do
- Do not use shock collars or punitive methods. These can produce even more anxiety and fear, and even induce aggression, which is likely to make barking worse in the long run.
- Don’t yell at your dog. This translates into sounding like you are barking along and will only serve to reinforce the barking.
- Don’t expect instant results. It takes time, patience, and consistency, to change barking behavior.
Final Thoughts
Like all unwanted behaviors, ending excessive barking in any dog is about identifying the root cause, controlling the environment and training using positive, repetitious methods. Reward quiet, teach clear commands, and make sure your dog’s needs are met. With time and good technique, you can teach your dog when and when not to bark.
