How to Stop a Dog From Barking Incessantly

Incessant barking is annoying but treatable.

Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate their needs and feelings. Barking can be territorial, attention-seeking, frustrated, excited or compulsive, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Most dog owners expect occasional barking, but when the barking becomes relentless it can be a problem for you and your neighbors. By determining the cause of your dog's incessant barking, you can come up with a game plan to curb the barking, giving you and your neighborhood a break.

Instructions

1. Observe your dog to determine the scenarios that cause him to start barking.

2. Ignore attention-seeking barking. Reacting positively or negatively is effectively rewarding the dog's barking and making the problem worse. Consider the amount of exercise your dog is getting, and increase it if you think he is bored or under-exercised.

3. Distract your dog from her barking session if she is barking compulsively or territorially. Ask for an incompatible behavior, such as a "sit" and reward that behavior. Teach your dog that obeying commands is more rewarding than barking repeatedly.

4. Teach your dog to "speak" on command. Say "speak," and when your dog barks, reward her with a tasty treat. Repeat this until your dog realizes that barking when you say "speak" is what is getting her the treat.

5. Teach your dog the "quiet" command. Say "speak" to get your dog to start barking, then say "quiet." Treat your dog when he pauses from barking and say "good quiet!" Repeat this until he understands that "quiet" means "stop barking."

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog barks when you are not home because she suffers from separation anxiety, try taking her to doggy daycare a few times a week. You might even consider getting a dog walker to come in while you are at work. Consult a behaviorist for serious separation anxiety problems.

• While it is tempting to yell at a noisy, barking dog, it can actually reinforce the behavior and make it worse.

References

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Barking
• Humane Society of the United States: How to Get Your Dog to Quiet Down
• Champaign County Humane Society: Excessive Barking
• Placerville Veterinary Clinic: Train Your Dog to Stop Barking