How to Stop Your Dog's Excessive Barking

Excessive barking is a common issue among dogs. I define excessive barking as that which bothers me, my neighbors or if the dog doesn’t stop when asked. Dogs bark for different reasons and those reasons have different solutions. The following steps deal with alert barking, the most common complaint from dog owners.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Do not yell at your dog for barking. Yelling, to the dog, is like you're joining in the excitement.

2. Say "thank you" to your barking dog. This is not so much a courtesy to your dog as it is a cue for putting you in the right frame of mind. It will remind you that your dog is simply doing his job of keeping you safe.

3. After thanking your dog, call him to you and engage him in an alternative behavior like a sit or a down.

4. Say, “sshh” (you can’t yell “sshh”) and praise or reward your dog. You now have a quiet, attentive dog who is fulfilled in doing his job.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes a dog is too absorbed in barking to get his attention so you may need to use a food lure and/or a body block to interrupt him. A body block means simply placing yourself between the dog and what he is barking at. Step toward the dog and get him to move away from the source of his barking.
• Say “sshh” to the dog after you’ve called him and he is quiet, so he associates that sound with the behavior of being quiet. After he has made that association, you can then use "sshh" as a cue to get him to stop barking.
• A Word About Bark Collars. It is tempting to go for an "easy fix" using an electronic shock collar to stop annoying barking. It is our belief at Peaceful Paws that these devices are inhumane and dangerous.
• For difficult barking issues, consider employing a competent, professional trainer that uses positive methods.

[peacefulpaws]

on 3/6/2009 Thank you!

[dtwelloh]

on 3/6/2009 How simple yet so effective. Really a well written article. 5* and a recommendation.

[ilivetoteach]

on 2/15/2009 Great article. I could use this. *5

[ilivetoteach]

on 2/15/2009 Great article. I could use this. *5

[peacefulpaws]

on 2/14/2009 Try setting this up with your neighbor and get your dog's attention BEFORE he's in a frenzy. Otherwise your dog really "can't hear you". Maybe your neighbor needs to be farther away…at a distance where your dog can still respond to you.