Stop Your Dog From Barking Right Now

1. Expressing their needs (simply put.. being bossy).
   
   
2. Some dogs are bred to bark such as some breeds of terriers and hounds.
   
   
3. They are staking out their territory.
   
   
4. To alert other members of what they consider their pack i.e. you and the members of their family of any impeding dangers.
   
   
5. Whenever they may be excited i.e. when they are playing around.
   
   
6. Barking at other animals i.e. squirrels, rabbits, cats etc…
   
   
7. If they are isolated.
   
   
8. Some dogs will bark excessively when they are separated from their pack i.e. you and other family members.
   
   
9. If they are trapped behind some type of barrier like a fence or window.
   
   
10. To express dominance (this normally happens with puppies when they want to test you out by displaying what is known as dominance barking).
    
    
11. They bark because you may have inadvertently rewarded excessive barking in the past… (You may want to read this one again! It is crucial that you understand it).
    
    
12. Through boredom or lack of physical and mental stimulation.
    
    
13. May feel stressed or uncomfortable for some reason. Things like feeling threatened or if they don’t have an appropriate place to sleep can cause excessive barking problems.
    
    
14. Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized often become nuisance barkers.
    
    
15. May be looking for a response or some attention from their pack.

Sometimes it may appear that your dog is barking simply to have something to do. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Sometimes we humans forget that our dogs have a much more acute sense of hearing, smell and sight than we do. Chances are that your dog barking is being triggered by something.

Now that you have figured out the reason for your dogs barking problem, lets proceed to work out how to stop your dog from barking.

Out of everything that you will learn on this website this next sentence will probably be the most important by far. When you are attempting to modify your dogs behavioral problem, you must make sure to clearly communicate what is and what isn’t acceptable behavior to your dog. Although that may sound like a small piece of advice it is the backbone to dog training.

The Three Sins of Dog Training
Most dog owners do not realize this but they actually encourage and reinforce their dogs barking problem by doing the following:

1. Yell and scream at the dog – this just gives them the attention they were crying out for.
   
   
2. If your dog is outside barking like a maniac you let him in. This action does nothing but reward the dogs barking.
   
   
3. If your dog is barking and you react by giving him a comforting cuddle or a treat of some sort, you are definitely encouraging you’re dog to bark again. By doing this you are communicating to your dog that you are happy with him. You should be making it clear that his excessive barking is inappropriate.

Common Barking Problems and Solutions

Problem: Your dog goes berserk every time the phone rings.

Solutions:

• Never yell at your dog
  
  
• Get your dog use to the phone ringing; don’t make it such a big deal. Ring your home number from your cell phone or get a friend to keep calling you. When the phone rings just sit there, don’t say or do a thing. Repeat this process over a few days, your dog will probably continue to bark for a while but will give you before long.
  
  
• If you give your dog basic modification training, behavioral problems such as excessive barking are easily controlled. Your dog looks up to you as their pack leader and is eager to please you in any situation. Teaching the Quiet! Or Stop! Obedience training command will soon correct this problem.
  
  
• If all else fails try changing the tone and volume of your telephone ringer. Then once start the training process again. In most cases this works.
  

Problem: Your dog barks when you are not home

This is one of the tougher problems to solve because your not their. You will have to approach this problem in a little different way. First and foremost you most keep in mind that dogs are social creatures, when they are separated from their pack (you and your family) they can become stressed, vulnerable and frustrated. Dog training experts refer to this problem as separation anxiety.

Solutions:

• Keep your dog well exercised i.e. physical and mentally. Make sure to provide fresh water, a nice little chewing toy and a nice comfortable place for your dog to sleep. If at all possible try to block your dogs view of the street or other distractions. In a nutshell make sure your dog is happy before leaving the residence.
  
  
• If you are aware that your dog has been barking while you were away, it is a must that you ignore him for a while once you have returned home. I understand this is difficult for lots of owners, but otherwise your dog believes that his barking is the reason you came back home to him. Just go about your business for a little while when you get home, ignoring your dog. When your dog has settled down, you then initiate contact with him. Most experts recommend a ignoring your dog for a minimum of 30 minutes.
  
  
• Although this next method is takes extreme time and patience, it is highly recommended. I promise you that it is an extremely effective way to stop your dog from barking. This technique is based on that important rule applicable to all training situations. Praise or reward when your dog does something good, create a negative association when he does something bad.
  
  The technique goes like this… Pretend to leave your house, but hide somewhere nearby. When your dog begins to bark spray him with water or throw a tin can full of coins or rocks in his direction (this is the negative association). Try to keep out of your dogs sight while doing this if possible. Go and hide again, if he is quiet for a while, go in and reward his good behavior with some praise and maybe a treat. You will have to repeat this process over and over until you have broken the excessive barking habit.
  
  
• I have used the above techniques with great success, but if they seem to not be working for you – I recommend that you consider a Citroella Spray No Bark Collar. This is pretty much the same thing as the method above, it works by using negative association. Every time your dog barks, a fine mist of citronella is sprayed into the air. Most dogs hate the smell, and soon realize if they don’t bark, the smell won’t be released. If you have more than one dog this method is not really a suitable solution.
  

Problem: Your dog starts barking for attention or to demand something.
This is a pretty common situation, the good news is it pretty easy to rectify.

Solutions:

• It is a must that you establish yourself as the pack leader or alpha dog in your owner-dog relationship, this type of barking problem won’t occur. You’ll also form a strong bond with your dog based on trust and respect.
  
  
• Another proven method how to stop your dog from barking for attention is simply ignoring your dog. Your dog will probably become frustrated and bark a lot initially, but once he realizes that it is not getting him anywhere, he will stop. On a little side note – this training method can be hard on the ears for while, so be prepared.
  

Problem: Your dog starts barking at passers by

Individuals such as your local postman and the delivery driver’s are constantly being intimidated by dogs barking at them. The reason for this behavior is because your dog looks at those individuals as being intruders. Dogs consider them to be a threat to their territory.
When your dog barks he is rewarded, because the intruder goes away. Your dog is then very pleased that he has averted this threat, which leads him to do it again and again. The dogs behavior is reinforced and therefore this can be a difficult problem to turn around.

Solutions:

If at all possible you could try blocking your dogs vision or access to the area where these people pass by.

• Dog obedience training is the best solution to this type of excessive barking. Once you have your dog properly obedience trained, you will be able to communicate to him that this is unacceptable behavior.
  
  
• If your dog consistently barks at a particular person, you may need to use this person to help modify your dogs behavior. Lets say that your dog continues to get agitated every time the postman pays a visit to your house. Have a talk with your postman and give him some of your dogs very favorite treats. Each time he comes to your house to deliver the mail, have him deliver your dog a tasty treat. In your dogs mind the postman goes from being a threat to his territory to becoming a welcomed guest.
  
  In extreme cases of excessive barking, where all else has failed, some people advocate debarking surgery. I personally do not think that this is the method to take nor do I recommend it. I do however feel if I am going to share that I should share it all and let you decide what works best for you.