How to Stop a Barking Dog With a High Pitched Sound

Your dog is the best dog in the world. But she's awful when she starts to bark. And bark, she does. Your dog barks at everything from bouncing balls to bumble bees, butterflies to buttercups. You may think you have tried every solution possible, but you may have forgotten the high pitched sound. You can stop a barking dog with a high pitched sound with some simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• High pitched noise maker
• Treats

Instructions

1. Choose your high pitched sound-maker. A variety of musical instruments work well, especially the high notes on a harmonica. You can also use a triangle, tinkling bell, small gong or electronic keyboard. You want something easily transportable to wherever your dog is barking.

2. Emit the noise. Once your dog starts barking, immediately play that high note on whatever it is you’ve chosen. This should startle the dog so she stops barking.

3. Call the dog over to you. As her ears perk up or pull back from the high pitched sound, call her over to you and begin to pet, soothe and caress her. Reinforce the good behavior of her silence by repeating, “Good dog, yes, yes, yes.”

4. Give her a treat. If she remains quiet, give her a treat to seal the deal. This lets her know that being quiet when she hears the noise is the right thing to do.

5. Wean her off the treats and even the praise. Once your dog gets the hang of being quiet when she hears the high pitched sound, you can still call her over and praise her, but you can start omitting the treats and decrease the praise. With enough practice, your dog may get to the point where she will stop barking when she sees you coming with the high pitched noise maker before you even make the noise.

Tips & Warnings

• Consistency is the key. Use the high pitched noise every time she barks at something you don’t want her to.

• If you happen to be an opera singer, you can use your voice as the high pitched sound.

• Don’t use the high pitched noise to stop the dog from barking when you do want her to, like when there is a stranger at the door or someone trying to get in your bedroom window. At those times, tell her, “Good dog, yes, yes.”