How to Cure a Dog's Barking Habit

Barking is one of the natural ways your dog communicates his feelings with the rest of the world. Dogs may bark to alert you to a stranger in yard or they may bark at the neighbor’s cat. Some dogs bark to go outside and then they bark again to come back in again. However, when your dog barks incessantly at the pedestrians on the sidewalk at the leaves blowing in the wind, his barking habit may become annoying. When that occurs, you might be able to reduce the problem if you act quickly and consistently.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Give Rover a long-lasting chew toy. It’s nearly impossible to bark and chew at the same time. However, reserve these special treats only for when the barking habit usually occurs, such as when you go to work and leave your dog in a kennel. Brush a hard rubber chew with broth and let it dry overnight or rub the chew with peanut butter, making it tastier for your pooch.

2. Go for a walk—a brisk walk, every day. Some dogs develop a barking habit out of sheer boredom. If they are frequently exercised, they may calm down and sleep instead of barking at the cat next door.

3. Buy a noise-masking machine if you keep your dog indoors and he barks at every outdoor noise he hears. Some dogs can determine sounds that are impossible for humans but a noise-masking machine can block the distracting noise, giving you and your pooch some much-needed relaxation.

4. Ignore your dog if he barks for your benefit. Some dogs are happy to alert their owners to every tiny noise they hear or movement they see. You can tell if this is what your dog is doing by watching his behavior while he barks. If he barks and then looks at you and then barks again, he may be barking for your benefit. If so, say nothing, but get up and leave the room at the first bark.

5. Make a “Startle Can” by putting a dozen, or so, pennies in an empty coffee can and taping the lid on tightly. At Rover’s first inappropriate bark, give the can a sharp shake. The noise will startle your dog and (hopefully) make him forget the object of his barking. Repeat every time he barks but only if you can do so at the beginning of his bark. Don’t wait and shake the can if he’s been barking for fifteen minutes. To do so only teaches him that he may bark freely for fifteen minutes.

6. Spray down an outside dog if your command to “Shush” or the shake of a Startle Can don’t do the trick. Even dogs that love baths don’t appreciate being sprayed with the garden hose. Make sure you don’t spray the dog’s face.

7. Let natural citronella do the trick. A citronella collar (available in pet stores) senses a bark and emits a squirt of harmless citronella. Dogs do not like the scent of citronella and with repeated use; they will refrain from barking when the collar is in use.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not hit your dog for barking. He may mind temporarily but it may result in anxiety and more problems later. In addition, your dog may come to fear you.

Resources

• Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems
• The Art of Raising a Puppy
• How to Treat Eye Discharge in a Dog
• How to Care for a Dog in Heat
• How to Treat a Dog’s Sinus Infection

[ramblin62]

on 8/19/2009 Great tips to train dogs to stop barking! A neighbor needs to read this! Favorited.

[HowardBThiname]

on 7/26/2009 Dog's that won't quit barking are so annoying. Thanks for the tips.