|
Dogs communicate with body language and sounds, and for many, their favorite way to vocally communicate is to bark. A bark or two is completely natural canine behavior, but excessive dog barking can be a serious problem. You won’t get any peace and quiet, your neighbors or landlord won’t appreciate it, and it could indicate your dog’s needs aren’t being met. But how do you stop your dog from barking?
Whether you want to keep your dog quiet during an online meeting, curb unwanted territorial barking, or prevent chaos when guests arrive, there are techniques that can help reduce the amount of barking. These 10 tips will help you handle nuisance barking and teach your dog new, more appropriate ways to express their feelings.
1. Identify Why Your Dog Is Barking
Although sometimes it seems like your dog is barking at nothing, dogs bark for many different reasons. You will be far more effective at curbing your dog’s barks if you can learn what your dog is saying. For example, if your dog barks at people, it could be out of excitement to see them, anxiety about an intruder, or frustration they can’t get close enough to say hello. These are all totally different emotions and motivations for barking.
2. Ignore Barking for Attention
Dogs learn how to get what they want from their humans, and barking usually gets an immediate response. Therefore, many dogs bark for attention when they’re lonely or bored. Although it’s tempting to do something to stop the noise, such as throwing a ball or providing pats, your dog is actually training you. Next thing you know, you’ll be unable to talk on the phone or watch TV without your dog interrupting.
In addition, it’s important not to yell at your dog to be quiet. Even negative attention is still attention, and dogs don’t speak human. To them, it will only sound like you’re barking too, and from your dog’s perspective, barking is contagious. Instead, ignore attention-seeking barks. Simply turn your back or walk away. If your dog discovers barking is ineffective, they will stop wasting their energy and try something else.
3. Teach Your Dog Alternative Behaviors to Gain Your Attention
Although ignoring attention-seeking barks is effective, it can frustrate your dog and fails to give them a more appropriate way to communicate. Encourage silence by teaching your dog an alternative method of earning your attention. That might be lying at your feet or sitting quietly and making eye contact with you. The choice is up to you. Simply cue the behavior you want when your dog is asking for attention, then when they comply, reward them with cuddles, praise, and the company they seek.
4. Teach Your Dog to Be Quiet on Cue
Just as you can teach your dog to speak on cue, you can train them to stop barking as well. Simply teach them that silence earns rewards. Whenever your dog is barking, wait for them to take a break, even if it’s just for a second. As soon as they stop barking, give them a delicious dog training treat. Wait for a bit more silence each time before presenting the treat. Once you can predict when your dog is about to stop barking, give a cue like “quiet” or “stop” right beforehand, then treat them when they comply. After enough repetitions, your dog will learn it pays to stop barking at your request.
If your dog never seems to take a break, you can lure silence by placing a smelly morsel of food on their nostrils. They will have to stop barking to take a good sniff. As soon as they do, pop that morsel in their mouth. You can also use clicker training to mark the moment of silence, so your dog knows exactly what you’re rewarding. Of course, the “quiet” cue only works when you’re there to give it, but it’s a word every dog should learn.
5. Teach Your Dog Impulse Control
Many dogs bark out of frustration because they lack patience and restraint. If that sounds like your pet, then it will help to teach your dog self-control. Obedience training is a great start as it gives your dog a sense of control over their environment by teaching them that they can get what they want by giving you what you want. Choose a dog training class or consider private training to put you on the right track. You can also try playing training games like “leave it” or “wait at the door” to show your dog that patience pays off, so they don’t resort to barking.
Read the Other 5 Tips Here âžś
| 
