How to Stop a Puppy from Barking

Many people are irritated by their puppy's barking at night. Barking can be quite bothersome when the puppy is confined to his crate or exercise pen at night. Although this behavior can be quite annoying when the owner is trying to sleep, the puppy is following his instinct, and it is natural for him to call out for someone by barking. The following steps discuss how to curb and extinguish a puppy's barking when he is in confinement at night.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crate or confinement area
• Treats
• High-quality chew toys

1. 
    
   Do not go to your puppy when she is barking!

   Do NOT go to your puppy when she is barking at night. This is the most important step in stopping at puppy's barking at night. When she realizes that barking does not work, she will eventually stop.

2. 
    
   If you do not reinforce your puppy's barking, he will eventually stop.

   Do not go to the puppy, even after he has been barking for a while. This will only teach the puppy to be persistent about barking and making noise. Going to the puppy when he is barking will only reinforce the barking behavior.

3. 
    
   A puppy needs some time to adjust to her crate.

   Make crate training or confinement less stressful for you puppy by introducing the crate gradually and gently. Give the puppy treats while she is in the confinement area. Allow her to have heavy-duty chew toys to help her comfort herself.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important to be consistent about going to the puppy only when he is not barking.
• If you have gone to the puppy while she is barking, you have reinforced this behavior.
• Punishment will not help your puppy to learn more quickly. This would be like punishing a human baby for crying. This will only increase the puppy's stress and create even more problems.

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[bmi57]

on 6/19/2008 Thank you for your advice. Will try.