Stop Dog Barking
Posted on September 1st, 2010 Written by +Brian Benson Email Author
Discover How To Stop Your Dog From Barking
Barking is a natural behavior exhibited by dogs. This is their method of communicating with other dogs or people. However, excessive barking is not good as it may also disturb your neighbors. In fact, experts see this as a behavior problem that must be curbed down. As a dog owner, it is indeed essential for you to know how to stop dog barking.
You need to understand why excessive barking happens in the first place and how you can properly train your dog to stop this behavior. First, you will learn about the various causes and then you can look into the various methods suggested for you to use.
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Understanding Why Dogs Bark Excessively
Training your pet to stop dog barking excessively is easier said than done. The most puzzling thing about trying to get your dog to stop barking is the cause of this behavior. It is therefore important to begin by looking at the possible causes that is making them behave the way they do.
Since barking is their most basic method of communicating with humans and their master, there has to be a reason why they are barking. Experts cite a variety of reasons for dogs to exhibit this particular behavior. Unlike common misconceptions, they do not bark just for the sake of it. Nor do they bark for revenge or just because they can, despite the fact that it seems that way to dog owners at times.
Dog owners must know that certain breeds have the tendency to bark more than others. There are breeds that are known to be barkers. Hence, you need to look into your dog’s breed and see if you have one as it can help your effort to stop barking dogs. But despite of the breed, all dogs are bound to bark at one point or another. Understanding the causes for their excessive barking is the first step towards controlling this behavior. There are a few common reasons that dog experts have identified and each cause has their own respective methods for addressing.
Presence of Threat or Anxiety
One reason why most individuals choose dogs as their pet is that they can also double as guards for your home. Dogs have highly sensitive sense of smell and hearing that enable them to identify danger when it arises. It is therefore a natural response or behavior for dogs to bark when they see strangers enter your home or when they hear suspicious sounds. They will therefore bark to send out a message against the potential source of threat. If you have noticed, the sound of a dog’s barking whenever they feel threatened is completely different from the barking sound they produce on ordinary circumstances.
Due to the presence of a threat, your dog will heighten their level of anxiety. Anxious barking can therefore range between high-pitched, sharp and loud, or is accompanied with a whining sound in most cases.
When Dogs Feel Excited or Looking For Attention
On the other end of the spectrum, a dog could also bark excessively whenever they feel excited or want attention from their master. This dog behavior is more common amongst younger dogs or puppies, especially if they wanted to play around. However, the sound or characteristics of their barking will largely differ from any other causes of barking. You will notice that the tone is more upbeat and excited, instead of being sharp and loud.
When Dogs are Bored
Boredom could also hit your dogs sometimes, such that they will bark with no end. According to pet experts, dogs tend to bark to release any unused energy inside their body or to vent out their feelings. The characteristics of a bored dog’s barking can be quite annoying, especially since it is seeking attention. The dog is believed to be making sounds in order to invite a companion and engage in some fun activity to keep away boredom.
When You Leave
Dogs can also suffer from separation anxiety, which consequently leads to excessive barking. This is especially true with dogs that are very close with their owner or spend most of their time with their master.
There are two reasons why dogs bark when you leave. First, because they often want to come with you due to that physical attachment you have established with your pet. Second, they want to play around and do not want to be left behind. Whichever the reason for a dog’s barking might be, it is important to address the issue or you’d be forced to deal with the annoying or disturbing barking that comes with it.
Techniques to Stop Dog Barking
The causes for barking as cited above are just some of the most common reasons why dogs tend to exhibit behavior of excessive barking. You must therefore identify which ones apply to your dog such that you can remedy it accordingly. Thankfully though, there are several techniques or methods you can apply to ensure dog barking control and ensure that you can inhibit this particular behavior in the future.
You can use any of the techniques to train your dog or use them in combination to ensure effective results. Be warned though that you need to consistently use the techniques cited to ensure maximum results. This is also a great method to train your dog to follow orders or identify stimuli in order to stop dog barking, regardless of the cause.
Speak or Quiet Commands
Proper training for your dog is vital in ensuring that you can find effective ways on how to stop dog barking. You need to begin by training them to bark on command. It takes a bit of practice and consistency to ensure that you can achieve this with success.
You must begin by choosing a specific word that will trigger the bark command in your pet. Choose a word that is easy to remember and stick with that throughout the speak or quiet command training. You can begin by acknowledging whenever your dog bark through basic actions such as looking out of the window or approaching your dog.
Then, get their attention using various techniques such as whistling or clapping. As soon as they stop barking, you can begin with the quiet command using the specific word you have chosen. Make sure to use a commanding voice that is audible enough yet firm. Do this “quiet” command often until your dog becomes familiar with it and its meaning. Make sure you do this whenever your dog starts to bark, but as soon as they turn quiet, you must begin with the bark command again.
The idea with this technique is to instill the “quiet” command in your dog such that they will learn to obey you once you dictate the word you have chosen at the beginning of this training. You need to dedicate 10 to 15 minutes of each day and you must perform it at least twice daily to ensure that your dog is properly trained with this command as part of dog bark control methods.
You can also reward your dog whenever they do the drill successfully to motivate them to do just as you wanted. Patience is very important with this particular technique because it could take a while for your pet to become familiar with the command. You must also couple patience with consistent practice to facilitate speedy learning.
Give Your Dog Something To Do
If your dog has the tendency to exhibit excessive barking everytime you leave, then it might be due to separation anxiety. It could also cause your dog to feel unnaturally isolated. You can therefore help your dog fight boredom and stay busy by giving them something to do.
You can therefore leave them toys for them to play with and ease boredom. On the other hand, you can leave them food to ensure that they won’t go hungry even if you will be out for a long while. There are dog toys that are equipped with opening at the end and are hollow, enabling you to place dog food or treats inside. But if you are concerned about the possibility that your dog might overeat if you simply leave food behind, then you can leave them ribs. This should keep them busy without having to feed them more than they are supposed to eat.
There are also interactive dog toys in the market nowadays such as feeding balls. In order for your dog to feed themselves, they must first roll the ball to allow the food items to fall out of the holes. This is a great way to combine their feeding time with play. Hence, you hit two birds at once – you can keep your dog well fed and entertained.
Reduce Petting and Praising
This might be a difficult technique for owners who are very close to their pet dog. But you must try to minimize petting and praising for your dogs, especially if they have done nothing worthy of praise. Dog training experts believe that this is an effective technique to learn how to stop barking dogs since it minimizes dependence on the part of your dog.
Your family must also cooperate with this method. You must make it a rule to touch your dog only when they obeyed a command or when they successfully followed your training commands. Even when you praise your dog, try not to do anything more than a simple pat in the head. This will therefore encourage a more mature and obedient behavior in your dog such that when you make a command to behave or stay quiet when they start to bark, they will listen to your command.
Distract Your Dog
This is one of the simpler techniques you can use to stop barking dogs. You can do whatever you can to deliver distraction. If possible, it has to be mysterious and unsettling enough to capture their attention. This will make them forget barking for a while until the urge to bark goes away.
One simple source of distraction is an object that produces a sharp sound. You are also free to be creative in using a technique that you think is most effective in getting your dog’s attention for dog bark control. Another method you can try to distract them is to offer their favorite treat close to their nose. They will be so enticed with the smell of the treat such that they would rather get the treat instead of continue barking.
Warnings and Additional Tips
To cap it off, it is not enough that you determine what are the methods or techniques you can use for training on how to stop barking dogs. You must also identify what methods you need to avoid and some vital aspects you need to consider more closely. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind for better results:
- You have to consult with a dog psychologist or veterinarian first if you cannot identify the cause for excessive barking in your dog. That way, they can recommend the best approach you can use that is effective yet safe for your pet.
- Avoid squirting water into your pet’s nose as a method for dog bark control.
- Regardless of how annoying the barking sound that your dog makes, never give into the temptation of threatening your dog. These animals are actually intelligent creatures and can understand humans quite well.
- Do not use punishments when training your dog to stop barking, such as shock collars. Actually, such training tools can even promote aggressive behavior in your dog causing them to bark more persistently.
- Avoid the urge to appease your dog or pet them as soon as they start barking. Doing so will only encourage their behavior instead of correcting it.
- You need to involve your dog in regular exercise or other physical activities. That way, they will no longer have the urge to release their energy through barking since they have already burned it up.
- Be patient. You cannot expect to see any improvements overnight. It will take time and you have to stick with the methods you have chosen for dog bark control.
Keep these warning tips in mind to ensure that you can curb your dog’s excessive barking behavioral problems, while ensuring that you can have a bit peace at home (as well as your neighbors). If none of the above techniques worked despite of your best efforts, then it might be time to consult professional help. You can speak with a veterinarian who specializes in dog behavior or a dog trainer to help you stop dog barking effectively.
