How to Train A Dog Not to Bark at Everything
Training your dog not to bark at everything can be one of the more difficult tasks a dog owner faces. Barking for dogs is like speaking for people, so do not attempt to eliminate barking altogether. Recognizing the reason your dog is barking will make curtailing the unwanted behavior easier. Fear, separation anxiety, isolation and to seek attention are just a few of the reasons your dog may bark excessively. Some trickery and a lot of patience will aid you in this task.
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Things You'll Need
- Treats
- Sound recording
- Spray bottle with water
- Can filled with coins or pebbles
Instructions
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Avoid rewarding your dog for barking, even indirectly. When you yell or tell it no, you are giving your dog attention that reinforces its reason for barking.
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Allow your dog to bark once or twice before attempting to stop it. Trying to prevent any barking from your dog can be stressful to your pet. It also prevents your dog from alerting you to potential danger.
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Distract your dog after one or two barks. Select a word like "Quiet" or "Enough" and say that to your dog in a calm manner with a treat in hand.
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Place the treat directly in front of your dog. As soon as the dog stops barking and pays attention to you, pop the treat in its mouth and say "Good quiet." Do this consistently when your dog barks and eventually it will learn that turning to you when you say "Quiet" is more beneficial than barking.
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Play a recording of any sounds that cause your dog to bark, such as the door bell ringing or a car driving past the house. Ignore your dog's barking completely and give the dog attention when it stops. Your dog will learn after several of these exercises that the sound is inconsequential.
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Enlist the help of a friend or neighbor if your dog barks at people approaching the house. Have the person approach slowly. Give treats to your dog as long as it remains calm. Once it barks, have the helper walk away from the home. Continue this until the person can make it to the home without the dog barking. Have the "visitor" give the dog a treat for a positive association.
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Leave your home as if you are going to work or on errands. Stay just out of sight of your dog. When your dog barks, spray it with a water bottle or shake a can filled with pebbles or coins to startle it out of barking. Do not allow your dog to see you. When you "return" home, do not pay attention to your dog until it calms down, otherwise, it may believe the barking brought you home.
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Tips & Warnings
Explain to your neighbors that you are training your dog not to bark at everything and ask for their patience during the process.
Exercise and obedience training keep your dog physically and mentally busy, often resulting in less barking.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
