Stop Your Barking Dog

Barking dogs are often a nuisance but it helps to understand why your dog is barking. Remember, there are many different reasons why dogs bark excessively. Oftentimes some people use a dog barking collar to control the barking, but this is not necessary.

A dog will often bark to attract attention when they are lonely or bored, or sometimes they are simply overly sensitive to every movement or sound. It is possible that your dog has learned to bark as a means to get your attention. If he or she has been barking and you’re yelling “Stop Barking!”, he learns it’s an easy way to garner attention.

It is necessary to keep three objectives in mind when attempting to correct inappropriate or excessive barking. First, avoid the situations that tend to provoke the barking; secondly, reduce the number of barks when they do begin barking; and finally, increase the duration of the quiet times between barking sessions. It is usually very difficult to eliminate barking altogether. Remember, it is okay for a dog to briefly bark a happy greeting when you return home or “sound the alarm” when he sees something out of the usual.

There are also some basic training techniques that can be done to reduce excessive barking. First of all, do yourself and your dog a favor by learning some basic dog training. You will be able to establish yourself as the leader, so that when you give the command "No Bark!" he will instantly obey. And please, do not physically punish your dog for barking. It is very hard for dogs to understand, after the fact, what they being rebuked for.

It is also a good idea to praise your dog when he is not barking. This might seem silly, but it usually works. As your dog is lying around quietly, say, "Good Dog!" After the third or fourth alarm bark, say, "NO BARK!" When he stops his barking, ask him to "Sit," followed with praise and a "Good Dog!" You have then given a verbal reprimand for excessive barking and followed it up with a command and praise which indicates what you would like him to do after he barks an alarm. Try to use a quiet, soft voice which will force him to listen to you.

If your dog barks immediately after you leave your home, you might want to change the way you leave. Try to act unemotional, simply saying “Bye-bye, Rover” and then walking out. Practice this when you are not really leaving your house for good. Do so by leaving your house for a short while and then quietly returning. If he is not barking, go into the house and give him lots of praise. If he is barking, verbally reprimand him and leave again. Be consistent and persistent with your training and your dog will stop barking in no time.