While barking is simply a dog’s way of communication, it is likely in your nature to try and stop your dog from barking! Therefore, it is imperative that you learn why your dog barks and then how to handle these different situations.
Basically, you will need to train your dog on when to bark and when not to bark. This may seem to be the opposite of what you are trying to do; however, the trick is to get your dog to bark only when there is potential danger or harm and to stop the excessive barking.
Why do Dogs Bark?
There are many reasons why a dog will bark. Understanding why is the first step towards controlling this behavior. It is important to understand that dogs do not bark just to be annoying. They bark because it is their form of communication. For whatever reason, they want you to know what is going on at all times, and this can sometimes be excessive.
Here are some common reasons why your dog may bark:
- Protection
- Anxiety
- Excitement
- Attention
- Boredom
- Responding to other dogs
- Express their needs
- Isolation
- Feel trapped
- Express dominance with other dogs
- Not socialized
- Owner has rewarded excessive barking in the past without realizing it
Now that you are familiar with the common reasons why they will bark, you can take some measures to train your dog to stop barking.
Stop Encouraging your Dog to Bark
This is a common mistake that most dog owners make. They inadvertently reward their dog’s excessive barking. You may be thinking this is definitely not you. You would never encourage your dog to bark. This is where the “inadvertently” part comes into play. Here are three common mistakes that dog owners do to encourage excessive barking. Are you guilty?
1. Yelling and screaming at your dog when he is barking – a reward? Yes, because this only gives him attention, and many times your dog will think you are simply joining in.
2. When you let him inside or out of his cage when he is barking, you are rewarding him. This may be very tempting and very logical considering your goal is to get him to stop barking; however, this only encourages him to bark to get his way. Just like a toddler who whines and whines until he gets his way, a dog will do the same.
3. If you comfort and cuddle your dog when he is barking at any time, he will take this as an acceptable behavior and will continue to do so.
If you are guilty of any of the above, and many are, do not worry. There are some things you can do to stop your dog from barking.
How to Stop your Dog from Barking at Other Dogs
First you must determine the type of barking your dog does around other dogs. Is it based on fear, excitement, aggression, self identification or protectiveness? One way to stop your dog from barking at other dogs is to get him acquainted with as many other dogs as you can, especially while he is young. This way, he will be less likely to bark excessively when dogs he will see all the time are around, such as neighborhood dogs.
When your dog barks, say “no bark” or whatever word you wish to use. The trick is to be consistent and firm without yelling. Say it until he stops barking. Reward your dog when he does not bark at the other dogs. He will eventually get the idea that he gets a treat when he doesn’t bark, but gets reprimanded when he does.
How to Stop your Dog from Barking at Night
It is important to know what is causing your dog to bark at night before you can fix it. Once you determine the cause, you will be able to minimize the barking by figuring out ways to prevent or avoid the problem.
For example, if your dog hears traffic from the living room, put him in an area of the house where he will not hear this traffic, such as a room that does not have exterior walls. Don’t shut the door, as this could cause him to feel isolated, which will cause barking. Use a child gate so he can see out. Try adding soft listening music to distract him from hearing other noises. For outside dogs that bark at night, try moving his dog house.
How to Stop Dogs from Barking for Attention
Decide on a word, such as: quiet, stop, or hush. Use this word every time your dog barks just to get your attention. Do not pet him or talk sweet. Once he has stopped barking, you can give him all the loving you want. Be consistent and your dog will finally realize that barking simply does not get him the results he wants.
While there are many different ways to stop your dog from barking, the most important thing you can do is to take steps to stop encouraging barking, socialize your dog, and prevent or eliminate triggers. If you take these into consideration, you can stop your dog from barking.
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