Stop Dog Barking

Helpful Solutions To An Irritating Problem

When it comes to Dog Barking, there are many different factors that play a role in figuring out methods of controlling this problem. Just as there are different reasons why dogs dig, chew and jump, there are many different reasons why they bark. Of course we would all like to think that our dogs will only bark when it is necessary, such as to alert us of a stranger or intruder, but this isn’t always the case. Even dogs that bark as a warning will often do it to excess, barking at every single person that walks by the home.

Some of the main reasons dogs bark, besides to alert owners, include out of excitement or during playtime, instead of whining or crying to go outside or to come inside, because they are bored and want attention or because they are scared. Whatever reason your dog barks, figuring out how to control the behavior is absolutely essential to getting some peace of mind around your home. Finding effective methods to deal with dog barking will help curb the behavior more quickly.

Remember that these methods may not work for a small puppy, as puppies are prone to whining and crying when they are left on their own or when they don’t understand something. A small puppy may need to be treated more tenderly for the first few weeks until they begin to understand that they are not alone, and that you will be back to care for them when you leave or when you place them in their crate at night.

Having The Owner Relax...

As strange as it may seem, dogs often pick up on our anxieties, and may display them in ways such as barking. If you seem nervous about someone arriving at your home and keep checking the doorway, they may bark if they finally see someone coming. As well, if you becoming overly upset or frustrated when someone does walk by the home, they may think that they are doing a good job protecting the home.

If you do not get too upset or frustrated about your dog barking, they will most likely calm down and relax. Simply go over to the dog and pet them to reassure them that everything is okay and that you are not upset or scared, so they shouldn’t be either. This may easily solve some dog barking problems, but of course will not work for all of them.

Exercise and Playtime...

Many dogs bark simply out of frustration because they are bored or lonely. This is often the case with excessive barkers, jumpers, chewers or diggers. They don’t have anywhere else to outlet their energy, so they find a negative activity. This is almost always in hopes of getting attention as well, even if it is attention from an aggravated owner.

Many of the notorious barkers are small dogs and this becomes the case because owners think that because they are small companion dogs, they don’t need exercise or playtime. Sitting on your lap is not considered exercise and will not keep them from barking excessively. They need a walk around the block, a good game of fetch or even a run in the park to keep them from having nervous energy.

Teaching a Command...

If your dog is well exercised and is in a home without much owner anxiety, then you may have a dog that simply does not know when he or she should be barking. Many have a watchdog instinct and do not know, unless told, that they shouldn’t be barking at a passerby, a squirrel or the mailman at the door.

With this in mind, some dogs will easily learn to stop barking by a simple command the owner gives, such as “enough” or “stop.” This is a command that should be reserved specifically for barking situations, because otherwise the dog may think that you are joining in on the barking. You may even want to practice this with your dog while you are teaching other commands so that they understand that this is a command and not you joining in. Some owners will practice by not only saying “stop” or “enough” but also by touching the dog’s nose or bottom of the muzzle to let them know you are referring to their barking.

Corrective Collars...

There is much debate as to whether corrective collars will actually control barking, but many training experts believe they will work if used properly in conjunction with other barking behavior modification. These training collars can be placed on the dog and will emit an electric “shock” similar to that used on an electric fence, or it may emit an unpleasant smell that will bother the dog and distract them.

These dog barking collars are often hand controlled by the owner, though, so won’t prevent or control barking unless the owner actually shocks the dog. The reasoning behind the collar is that the dog won’t think he is being scolded by his owner, but will know that every time he barks an unpleasant action follows. Unfortunately for excessive barkers, many would rather receive the shock than stop the action, so this method should only be used in conjunction with other alterations like exercise, calming the dog down and teaching them commands.

Behavior Modification...

If you have a dog that has been barking excessively for a long time, you may consider major behavioral modification techniques beyond the owner in order to make them stop or to control the barking. This may simply be that they do not obey your commands but it may also be a psychological disorder that makes them continue barking out of control. Whatever the reason, there are dog trainers and dog behavioralists who can help to assess and fix the situation. Of course this should be a last resort to controlling barking, as most dog barking can be controlled by a patient owner.

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