How to Train a Dog to Stop Barking
You can’t make a dog stop barking entirely (barking is a dog’s natural method of communicating, after all). The point is to train your dog when is the right time to bark and more importantly, when to be quiet. By being patient, consistent and using positive reinforcement, you can train your dog to break these undesirable habits and bring peace back to your home. So, here’s an in-depth, practical guide to help you train a dog to stop barking.
Understanding Why Dogs Bark
Before you can actually train your dog to stop barking, you need to comprehensively grasp why they’re barking. Dogs bark for all kinds of reasons: to alert you to strangers, to express their boredom or excitement, to get your attention, in response to other dogs and sometimes when they are anxious or scared. The first and most crucial step is to identify what is causing your dog to bark.
Step 1. Find and Eliminate Triggers
Step 2. Establish the Emotional Sanctuary: …
Watch your dog and figure out when and where the barking occurs. Does it happen at the window when left unsupervised, or when someone rings the doorbell? If you keep a diary for a few days, you may find patterns and triggers.
And as soon as you get a sense of what triggers your dog, take measures to control its environment:
Block out visual triggers: Draw curtains, use blinds, or affix privacy film to a window to stop your dog seeing people or animals6 outside.
Reduce barking triggers: Play calming music through a white noise machine to block out the noises that lead him to bark5.
Meet their needs: Your dog needs exercise, playtime and attention, not to mention water, food and bathroom breaks. A dog that is tuckered out and happy from a good day at play is less likely to bark due to boredom or frustration.
Step 2: Don’t punish, use positive reinforcement who can understand who knows best est: Positive Reinforcement
Shouting at your dog or punishing them for barking rarely works and can even make matters worse by escalating fear or uncertainty. Instead, try to keep your training sessions positive and fun. YOU NEED TO BE CONSISTENT! Make sure everyone living in your house is aware of your training methods, and follows the same rules with your dog.
Step 3: Train the “Quiet” Command
One of the best methods for controlling barking with a dog is to teach him a “quiet” cue. Here’s how:
Get Practice Sessions in Place: Use a trigger (such as the doorbell) that can prompt the barking.
Let Your Dog Bark a Couple of Times, Then Say “Quiet”: Wait for a lull in the barking, and then calmly say “quiet.” Reward the pause with a treat.
Mark and Reward: Wait until you hear the silence, then use a marker word like “yes” or a clicker and a treat.
Slowly Lengthen Time: Initially correct for short amounts of quit, then lengthen the time a dog is quit before commanding silent and rewarwarding.
Cue the Command: Once your dog is going quiet for several second stretches, begin saying “quiet” as it is (about to) start barking so they pair the command with the desired action.
Training in Multiple Contexts: Practice the training in different contexts with other distractions.
How to Train a Dog to Stop Barking
Step 4: Teaching Your Dog to Be Less Reactive to Triggers
If your dog has specific triggers that lead it to bark (someone walking by the window, a neighbor dog, anything unfamiliar), work on desensitizing it to that trigger at a safe distance from which your pet doesn’t bark. Reward the good behavior with calm pups, and slowly decrease the distance over time. If your dog begins barking, you’re too close-step back and try again.
For example, if your dog barks at dogs while being walked, ask a friend with a dog to stand at a distance where your dog notices the other, but does not react. Reward your dog for remaining calm, and then gradually close the distance during several training sessions.
Step 5: Train Incompatible Behaviors
Give your dog or puppy a different, alternative behavior that he can do instead of yawning or smiling.
When a trigger happens, cue your dog to perform a replacement behavior, such as going to their bed or sitting quietly. Try throwing a treat on their bed and saying “go to your bed” when the doorbell sounds, for instance. Slowly make it harder by having someone ring the bell or open the door and have your dog remain where they are with their rewards for being calm.
Step 6: Do Not Reward Barking – Reward Quietly
If your dog barks for attention or food or to be let out, don’t give in and react when they bark. Wiate for a lull, then give them what they want. This tells your dog that being silent gained him what he asked for, not barking.
For instance, when you are training your dog not to bark while crated, they should only be rewarded with an open door or treat when they are quiet, at first, for even only a few seconds. Start by gradually building up the period they need to be quiet before being rewarded.
Step 7: Keep Your Dog Busy
Adistracted or underworked dog tend to bark too much. Have your dog engage in plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation daily. This might be walks, play sessions, training games, or interactive toys.
Step 8 : Steer Clear of Scary or Stressful Trigger or Stressing
If your dog barks cheap nfl jerseys because he’s afraid, try to insulate him from the scary thing. For instance, cover windows if they bark when people pass by, even if you have to hire a pet sitter if they are fearful of being alone. “The most fearful dogs might need some more intervention from a behaviorist,” she said.
Step 9: Be Patient and Keep Trying
Changing a dogs barking behavior requires time, patience, and consistency. The more your dog has been rehearsing the barking behavior, the longer it will take for him to learn a new behavior. Reward small victories and maintain training sessions brief and fun.
Step 10: Professional Assistance If all else fails, professional help is sometimes needed.
If your dog’s barking isn’t improving with these training techniques, or is based on anxiety, fear or aggression, consider contacting a certified dog trainer or behaviorist who uses positive reinforcement methods. They have the flexibility to personalize a program for your individual dog.
Final Thoughts
How To Train A Dog To Stop Nuisance Barking The key to stopping your dog’s nuisance barking is to first understand the reason why he’s doing so, then manage the environment that helps trigger it and behave in a way that helps him feel safe. I refer to it this way as well : Reward quiet, teach clear and meet needs. With some patience and the correct approach, you can teach your dog when to speak up — and when they should take a break.
