How to Stop Your Dog's Excessive Barking

Barking is a perfectly natural and normal behavior in dogs, but that's not a good enough explanation for most angry neighbors and napping relatives. It's both unfair and unrealistic to expect your dogs to become mute, but here are a few steps to turn down the volume.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Try to determine why your dog barks'eliminating the cause will increase your chances of success.

2. Have your dog's favorite treat within reach.

3. Praise the dog for barking once he starts by saying 'Good job' and then 'What's the matter?'

4. Tell the dog, 'Be quiet.'

5. Wave the treat in front of your dog's nose. Most dogs will instantly quiet down, because they will be concentrating on smelling and attempting to lick the treat, rather than barking.

6. Keep praising the dog. Tell the dog that he is a good dog for being quiet.

7. Let the dog have the treat after 3 seconds of quiet time.

8. Wave another treat in front of your dog if he starts to bark again. This time, try not to let your dog have the treat until 5 seconds of quiet time have elapsed. Your dog should learn that after each successful quiet-time interval, he will be rewarded.

9. Scold your dog every time he makes a mistake. If the dog barks, even for just an instant, as you're waving the treat in front of his nose, say 'Be quiet,' in a louder voice. Then reward the dog immediately after he stops barking.

10. Increase the quiet-time intervals by 3 seconds each time: from 3 seconds to 6 seconds to 9 seconds and so on. It is possible to continue to a couple of minutes of quiet time during the first session, which would mean significant progress in curbing your dog's barking habit.

Tips & Warnings

• Some breeds tend to bark more than others. Check with other owners to find out if your dog's barking habits are normal.

• It takes time to get your dog to break the habit of excessive barking. Remain calm and patient, and eventually he will bark only when it's appropriate.

• If you have trouble getting your dog to stop barking, consult a veterinarian trained in behavioral problems.