How to Stop a Small Dog from Barking

Dogs bark for various reasons. They bark when they need to go outside, when they are hungry, when a visitor enters the house or when they are defending themselves. Unfortunately, dogs can develop a terrible habit of excessive barking. With a little hard work, this habit can be fixed and your dog will only bark when it is supposed to.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog treats
• Dog toys
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Citronella collar

1. Say "stop" or "enough" after your dog barks one or two times to alert you to something. For instance, if a friend comes over, allow your dog to bark and simply tell the dog "stop." Give him a toy or a treat afterwards to praise them for not barking any longer.

2. Fill a spray bottle with water. If your dog ignores your "stop" command, simply spray it with the water. Once the dog stops barking, tell it what a good dog it is.

3. Purchase a citronella collar. The collar will emit a small amount of citronella when the dog barks. Since dogs don't care for citronella, they should seize to bark.

4. Take your dog to an obedience class. Your dog will learn many things, including when and when not to bark. The teacher could have an unique idea that will work for your dog.

5. Entertain your dog. Some dogs bark because they are bored or lonely. Pay attention to your dog by playing ball or taking it for a walk.

Tips & Warnings

• Be consistent when you are training your dog not to bark. You must praise and yell at it for the same behavior every day, otherwise your dog may become confused.
• For at-home dog training techniques, purchase training books or CDs available at your local book or pet store.
• Don't consider the surgical procedure of debarking to get your dog to stop barking. This surgery does not teach your dog anything and it will still make a sound, similar to a cough, which can be just as annoying as a bark.

Resources

• Country Side Pet : Order Toys & Collars for Your Dog

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