Stop Dog Barking
Barking is natural for most dogs. It is a way for a dog to communicate with the outside
world. A dog’s barking may be his way of warning us of a possible danger. In most cases the problem is
not that the dog barks. The problem is the dog won’t stop barking.
The best solution is to train your dog to stop dog barking on command. There are many
reasons why a dog might bark. A dog may be bored or lonely and just wants some attention. You can
solve the problem by learning the reason that caused the behavior. Dogs being social animals need mental
and physical activity.
Stop Dog Barking by Fulfilling Your Dog’s Needs
Dogs need exercise and stimulation. Dogs are always learning. Your dog may have
discovered that he can get your attention and create activity by barking excessively at anything that moves.
To stop dog barking you need to eliminate the real cause of the barking. We are assuming your dog is not
trying to warn you of a potential danger. Your attention even negative attention can be a reward.
As owners we are responsible for our dog and their welfare. A dog that needs exercise must
be given the opportunity to exercise and run. Giving a dog tasks to perform forces him to think and
provides exercise. Agility courses are excellent for providing a dog with this type of exercise and
thinking challenges.
Just as there is no single cause of excessive barking there is no single answer to stop dog
barking. If after you have fulfilled the needs of your dog and excessive barking persists your dog
may have established a habit. A habit, good or bad, is a behavior that gets a reward. Change the reward
to something negative and you curtail the habit.
Stop Dog Barking
Stop Dog Barking - Techniques
An anti-bark collar can change a positive reward for barking to a negative reward. One
collar is designed to spray a mist of citronella into the dog’s face when it barks. Citronella is highly
offensive to dogs. The dog quickly learns that the sprayer goes off every time he barks. When the dog
makes this realization that he controls the spraying of the collar the barking will cease.
There are several types of anti-bark collars. They all work by the same principle of
getting the dog to realize he can control the collar by ceasing to bark. Some anti-bark collars emit a ear
piercing sound each time the dog barks.
Using a water squirt gun and spraying water in a dog’s face when he barks will
produce similar results. The only problem with this method is that the barking and the action of spraying the
water into the dog’s face should be nearly simultaneous. A lag time between the barking and the spray of
water from the squirt gun will create confusion as to the reason for being sprayed. This method can work if
the barking is done primarily in your presence.
Train your dog to obey the command “QUIET”. This method allows the dog to bark until
commanded to stop. In this way you are alerted to any dangers the dog feels it is his job to alert you
to. You train adherence to this command by telling the dog “QUIET”.
When the dog obeys you need to praise him for stopping and provide him with a treat. Each
training session you extend the time period your dog needs to be quiet before he receives his reward. You
must be consistent in your training. Remember your dog is always studying you and you are always
training.
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