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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