Stop Barking Dogs - How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

To stop barking dogs may seem like a difficult, if not impossible task. Dogs bark simply because it’s the only way they can communicate.

There is only one breed of dog that does not bark at all: the Basenji. All other dogs have the want and need to be vocal.

Before you begin the dog training to halt your dog’s barking, you must understand why dogs bark and which kinds of barking can actually be restricted.

Why Dogs Bark

Dogs bark to show emotion. You can learn when your dog is excited, angry or hurt all about how they bark. Here is a more decisive list:

Dogs bark out of:

• Surprise
• Simply feel driven to
• Frustration
• Saying hello
• Injury or Illness
• Wanting Attention
• Territorial Issues 

It’s not necessary or even possible to totally eradicate all barking. You don’t want to lose your dog’s character in the process, after all. Nor do you want to punish beneficial barking like when she is trying to warn you of a hazard or tell you she is in pain.

The How-To Of It All

When dog training, you must decide if the barking is justified. You will find that 90% of the time, the barking is not justified and needs to be corrected – for your peace of mind and for the stability of the relationship you have with your neighbors.

Once you’ve determined that the barking is not justified and needs to be halted then you can ask yourself the following questions.

Is there something or someone that forces your dog to bark?

What is the focus of your dog’s barking?

Is there a certain time of day or night that your dog barks?

Finding the reply to such questions will help you stop barking dogs.

Addressing Territorial-ism

You should not use tough verbal language or tone of voice when correcting a dog, and most certainly not if the cause of his barking is because he is shocked or being watchful.

This will send contrasting messages to him. He may pause barking, but the territorial issues have not been properly addressed. The dog will find some other way to indicate his alarm and that can lead to biting or ruining property.

If your dog is being territorial, then you have a responsibility to produce a situation where he doesn’t feel such a great need to protect the property.

If your dog knows you are in control, for all intent and purposes the Alpha Dog, then he will know it is up to you, not him to guard.

Your dog will not detect threats if he cannot see them. So, the second step is to take measures to lessen his ability to see threats by doing things like drawing the curtains, putting up a fence and pulling in the windows. If he cannot see the meter reader or the runner on the sidewalk, he won’t bark at them.

Addressing Anxiety

Your dog’s barking could be in response to settings that cause her anxiety. Discovering the cause may not be easy, but it is needed in order to remove the anxiety and the barking related to it.

If you reward your dog with attention as soon as you enter the house when she has been barking, especially over an extended period of time, she will continue this behavior.

 And she may begin to show signs of anxiety and impatience when you are leaving and while you are gone because she is awaiting the attention she will receive when you return. The way to correct this behavior is to not pay attention to the dog upon entering the house.

Dodge even eye contact for ten to fifteen minutes. This will aid in the disconnect between your return and the attention she is requesting of you.

Other Commands

Teaching your dog the commands of “speak” and “be quiet” will help you handle his barking. This is a very useful tool for dog training.

He will learn when he is allowed to be responsive and when he must submit to your authority as his owner. Teaching him these signals will still allow him the ability to warn you of a hazard should the need arise.

A lot of people see a dog’s prolonged barking as an irritant – particularly if they do not understand dogs. Being able to stop barking dogs will help you be friends with your dog and your neighbors.

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