Barking is a form of communication for dogs, but excessive or frequent barking is one of the most common problems owners deal with their dogs.
If your dog barks frequently or for long periods, this could be annoying for you or your neighbors, but it could also be a sign that your dog has something more serious.
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How to Stop Your Dog from Barking
FIND OUT THE REASON WHY YOUR DOG BARKS
- Find out what your dog gets from the barking and remove it.
- Do not give your dog a chance to continue the barking behavior.
- For example, if your dog barks when there is someone at the door, this type of barking is called an alarm bark, and your dog wants to tell you something specific that is going on.
- To stop this behavior, give your dog something to entertain himself with, such as a ball, or ask him to go to bed.
- Make sure your dog understands these cues before beginning this training.
IGNORE THE BARKING
If you think your dog is barking to get your attention, ignore him until he stops.
Avoid talking to him, do not touch him, and don’t even look at him.
When your dog is finally calm, reward him with a treat, and be quick to make sure your dog understands that silence is what you are rewarding.
KEEP YOUR DOG ACTIVE
Make sure your dog gets enough physical and mental exercise every day; for example, one or several long walks a day or a game of fetch will keep your dog active, and he will be less likely to bark out of boredom or frustration.
DO NOT YELL AT YOUR DOG
Try not to yell at your dog to stop barking, or you will sound as if you are barking with him.
That will confuse your dog, and he will continue with this bad behavior.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG BARKS TO GET ATTENTION?
Try to ignore the barking. Your dog may continue or get worse, but this is perfectly normal. Keep going, and eventually, he will understand that barking does not get your attention. Only interact with your dog when he is calm.
Always remember to keep these tips in mind while training:
- First, keep your training sessions positive and confident.
- Be consistent.
- Family members should be part of the training methods whenever the dog barks inappropriately.