5 Best Ways to Stop a Dog From Barking
By
Woofz Team Updated on |Reviewed by Frederica Caneiro
Dogs communicate in various ways, and barking is one of their primary ways to express themselves. To expect your furry companion not to bark at all is the same as expecting a newborn not to cry. How else can they tell you what they want?
However, in some cases, excessive barking can become a real problem for pet parents and their furry friends, as it can lead to heightened stress levels, strained relationships, and even neighborhood disputes. In this guide, we'll help you end the barking blues and create a harmonious home for you and your companion.
How to Stop a Dog From Barking
Canines are simple creatures; they do what works. If, for example, they bark to get your attention and it works, they’ll do it more often. And the more often the behavior happens, the more annoying and difficult it is to deal with and change.
The good news is that you can work on this behavior and use their adaptability to your advantage. You can modify unwanted habits with the right approach. So, let’s talk about some practical steps on how to get a dog to stop barking.
Step 1. Discover the reason why your dog barks
Barking serves multiple purposes in the canine world. Dogs use it as an alert mechanism to inform them about someone approaching and defending their territory from intruders.
Apart from that, canines may also bark out of frustration (e.g., when not used to being home alone) or out of fear (e.g., a sudden noise has startled them), and even because of pain (if the behavior has appeared suddenly and there’s no apparent reason, make sure to consult your vet).
Some breeds (Toy breeds, Beagles, Huskies, German Shepherds, Spaniels, Dachshunds, etc.) are more predisposed to excessive vocalization. If you own one of these, you just need to be aware and pay more attention to their needs-based training, socialization, and environmental factors.
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Another common cause of excessive barking is a call for attention or attention-seeking barking. Boredom makes canines seek human interaction, so if you respond to vocalization by paying attention to your furry companion, expect this behavior to become more prominent. Bored canines often bark to make you let them out, get more food or water, or simply encourage you to play with them.
Step 2. Don’t reinforce barking behavior
This tip is beneficial for attention-seeking barking. Your interaction is a powerful reinforcer of this behavior. If a barking dog makes you stop whatever you’re doing and pay attention to them, in their eyes, it works!
What should you do instead? First, try to remain calm and ignore them when they bark. Then, reward the times when your companion stays quiet. This way, your dog learns that excessive vocalization doesn’t lead to quality time with you.
Step 3. Work on separation anxiety
Canines are social creatures, and they crave interaction with others. Leaving them alone for a long time can often trigger barking out of boredom and anxiety. Of course, modern, fast-paced life usually leaves owners no choice but to leave their pets at home during the work day.
If you suspect the behavior stems from separation anxiety, try to reduce the time your furry companion stays alone. You can hire someone to walk them or play with them during the day. In extreme cases, consulting a certified animal applied behaviorist can help tackle separation anxiety.
Step 4. Improve your dog’s ability to control impulses
Obedience training can help control and modify unwanted behaviors in dogs. Teaching basic commands such as “Watch Me” or a reliable recall can help redirect your dog’s attention. As a result, your dog stops barking when needed. You can also use positive reinforcement to teach your companion that staying quiet results in rewards, motivating them to control their impulses.
Another helpful trick is to teach your furry companion to go to their “Place” on command. This would be a designated cot or bed where they’re told to go and stay until you release them. You can send them to their spot to prevent barking due to specific triggers. Many owners use this strategy when their dog or puppy barks in the presence of guests and unfamiliar visitors.
Boosting your pet's confidence through mental stimulation games and teaching new commands can be incredibly helpful when addressing such issues.
Real story: How an app helped Isha
If you also experience hyperactive barking or other similar behaviors, consider trying what worked for Isha!
Read the story
Step 5. Consult a certified professional dog trainer
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your dog continues to bark excessively. In this case, looking into the option of professional training makes sense. Certified applied animal behaviorists and professional trainers specialize in dealing with persistent barking.
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They can teach you how to modify your training methods to make them more effective. They can also guide you on removing barking triggers and provide sufficient mental stimulation to reduce barking. You can also consider consulting a vet to ensure underlying health issues are not at the root of the problem.
How to Train a Dog Not to Bark
You can teach your dog to remain quiet on your verbal cue to stop barking in situations when the behavior isn’t welcome. Use positive reinforcement methods only to encourage staying quiet. Additionally, ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcing the habit.
To teach your dog to be quiet on command:
- Choose a high-value, tasty treat you will use as a reward during training.
- Start reinforcing the quiet behavior by marking and rewarding quiet moments.
- Ensure the dog understands you reward them for the time they stay quiet and don’t bark (use a clicker or a marker word, like “Yes!” to show your approval).
- Keep offering a reward until your dog starts consistently showing quiet behavior.
- Add a verbal cue, “Quiet!”
More Tips on How to Stop a Dog From Barking
Now, let’s examine more specific scenarios when your dog is barking. In many cases, environmental modifications can help remove barking triggers. We’ve collected some extra advice on correcting the behavior.
- Cover the view to the street: For many canines, the desire to bark is provoked by what they see outdoors. This is the part of the alarm barking ingrained into their instincts and the need to protect their territory. They bark at passersby because they believe they can scare them away. Blocking the window with curtains can be an effective way to make your household quieter.
- Separate them from your guests: The best way to stop a dog from barking at visitors is to physically remove them from the situation. You can send your pet to their place or crate, or use a baby gate to keep them in a separate room.
- Offer plenty of mental exercise: Keep your dog busy by offering fun activities to reduce boredom and anxiety. A tired canine is usually one who won’t bark excessively.
- Avoid punishment: Your dog barks due to instincts, so punishing them for normal and natural behavior should be off-limits. Punishments can only make a canine more anxious and cement unwanted behaviors. We also strongly advise against the surgical debarking procedure or shock collars.
Wrap Up
To wrap it up, tackling excessive barking in your furry friend is crucial for a happy bond between you and your canine companion. Consistent training typically brings noticeable improvements in as little as two weeks. So, be patient, stay consistent, and use positive reinforcement to help your pup bark less and understand you better.
