- While in the wild, pack dogs will bark as a method of communicating. Their barks as a domestic animal serves as a method of connecting to you, their master. Noisy barks are normally warning that the dog senses some time of danger is present or to alert their owner to a change in the environment. Short and sharp barks are normally the reaction of a dog becoming overexcited from attention or play. High-pitched or repetitive barks are normally the barks owners want to stop. These barks are normally attention seeking because of loneliness or simple anxiety.
- One of the reasons that dogs continue to bark to get their owner's attention is that it works. When a dog barks to be picked up, petted or paid attention to, it normally works. Owners respond by giving a treat or attention or by attempting to discipline the dog. Either way, the dog has succeeded in getting attention. The most effective way to stop rewarding the dog is to ignore the dog's barking.
- Simply ignoring the dog's bark can take longer to achieve the desired effects than most people would like. There are ways to speed up the training process. If your dog barks as a result of separation anxiety, begin to change your routine before you leave. Another effective way to change the dog's behavior is to practice positive reinforcement. Simply give the dog a treat or vocal reward each time it does not bark in a situation that formerly caused the barking.
- Dog collars are a mechanical device that will train a dog not to bark. There are three methods used by the dog collar to stop the dog. The first is using a citronella collar that sprays citrus smell, which dogs dislike. The second is stimulation that produces a mild stinging or tingling sensation when the dog barks. It is essential that these collars have a fail-safe mechanism that ensures they turn off. The third way to correct the barking is by tone. This is simply a sound that will annoy the dog to stop the barking.
- Surgical debarking is a highly controversial method that removes the vocal cords from dogs. There are two ways to do this, one going through the mouth and other through making a cut in the neck. This will not cure the problem causing the barking but will result in a dog that attempts to bark but is unable to do so. Instead, the dog will make a much quieter sound.
