How to Stop a Dog From Barking
Finding the right way to stop a dog from barking can be a little challenging, but with some patience and perseverance, it's easy to teach your dog to stop barking on command.
Unfortunately, too many people give up trying to stop a dog from barking before their dog has learned the lesson and they give in to bad practices that can actually harm your dog.
Never try to stop a dog from barking by using shock collars or sprays.
All dogs bark.
It's a natural instinct and punishing them with cruel or unusual methods simply confuses the dog to the point that it can become fearful, nervous or even aggressive.
This is why it's more important to allow your dog to bark, but you must teach it to stop barking when it's told to stop.
Before you work on ways to stop a dog from barking, it's important to understand why they're barking in the first place.
Many dogs bark because they're bored and under-stimulated.
Imagine how bored you'd be if you were stuck in a yard all day with nothing to do and no one to talk to.
You wouldn't like it much and neither does your dog.
Find ways to introduce games or toys that can help keep your dog entertained.
Spend some time with your dog each day reinforcing dog training techniques.
This forces him to think about your commands and work to try and please you, which is stimulating mentally for him.
Always make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise.
A simple walk might not mean much to you, but to your dog it represents going out on a 'hunt' with the pack leader.
They don't know what they're looking for, but they're excited by it anyway.
These simple things can help to stop a dog from barking so much.
When your dog is inside and decides to bark at the doorbell or at people going past your home, this is when it's important to learn the right way to stop a dog from barking on your command.
While he should be allowed to bark a warning, he should not be allowed to continue uncontrollably.
Here's how to stop a dog from barking when you command it to stop.
Before you begin this training exercise, have a handy stash of treats in your pocket or in your hand.
Then get your dog to begin barking.
This is easy enough.
Ring the doorbell or rap on the door with your knuckles.
Allow your dog to bark a few times.
Remember, this is a natural behaviour for dogs, so you shouldn't aim at stopping it completely.
You just want to stop a dog from barking when it's told to stop.
After a few warning barks, show your dog that you're holding a treat.
When he notices what you have and stops barking, give him the command 'Quiet'.
Then give him the treat immediately, along with a happy 'good dog'.
Repeat the exercise and distract your dog from barking again with a treat.
When he stops, reinforce the command 'Quiet' and give him another treat.
This method to stop a dog from barking does take some patience and understanding, but rewarding your dog for stopping the barking on command is far more effective than scolding him for doing what comes naturally.
Unfortunately, too many people give up trying to stop a dog from barking before their dog has learned the lesson and they give in to bad practices that can actually harm your dog.
Never try to stop a dog from barking by using shock collars or sprays.
All dogs bark.
It's a natural instinct and punishing them with cruel or unusual methods simply confuses the dog to the point that it can become fearful, nervous or even aggressive.
This is why it's more important to allow your dog to bark, but you must teach it to stop barking when it's told to stop.
Before you work on ways to stop a dog from barking, it's important to understand why they're barking in the first place.
Many dogs bark because they're bored and under-stimulated.
Imagine how bored you'd be if you were stuck in a yard all day with nothing to do and no one to talk to.
You wouldn't like it much and neither does your dog.
Find ways to introduce games or toys that can help keep your dog entertained.
Spend some time with your dog each day reinforcing dog training techniques.
This forces him to think about your commands and work to try and please you, which is stimulating mentally for him.
Always make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise.
A simple walk might not mean much to you, but to your dog it represents going out on a 'hunt' with the pack leader.
They don't know what they're looking for, but they're excited by it anyway.
These simple things can help to stop a dog from barking so much.
When your dog is inside and decides to bark at the doorbell or at people going past your home, this is when it's important to learn the right way to stop a dog from barking on your command.
While he should be allowed to bark a warning, he should not be allowed to continue uncontrollably.
Here's how to stop a dog from barking when you command it to stop.
Before you begin this training exercise, have a handy stash of treats in your pocket or in your hand.
Then get your dog to begin barking.
This is easy enough.
Ring the doorbell or rap on the door with your knuckles.
Allow your dog to bark a few times.
Remember, this is a natural behaviour for dogs, so you shouldn't aim at stopping it completely.
You just want to stop a dog from barking when it's told to stop.
After a few warning barks, show your dog that you're holding a treat.
When he notices what you have and stops barking, give him the command 'Quiet'.
Then give him the treat immediately, along with a happy 'good dog'.
Repeat the exercise and distract your dog from barking again with a treat.
When he stops, reinforce the command 'Quiet' and give him another treat.
This method to stop a dog from barking does take some patience and understanding, but rewarding your dog for stopping the barking on command is far more effective than scolding him for doing what comes naturally.
