How to Train Your Dog to Stop Barking

Barking is a natural and normal behaviour in dogs. While there's not an exact science to reducing Nipper's repetitive ruffs, here are some tips to help keep the peace.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Radios
• Bark Control Dog Collars
• Dog Bones
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Doors
• Dog Food
• Dog Toys
• Dog Training Aids
• Dog Treats

1. Consider what's making your dog bark. Does he need yard access? Is a cat taunting him through the window? Does he just like the sound of his bark?

2. Check your pet's basic needs: hunger, thirst or elimination. Your pup might be trying to tell you something.

3. Remove your dog's motivation for barking. For example, make a dog door for easy outdoor access or close the shades.

4. Invest in a citronella no-bark collar, which is effective and not cruel; if your dog barks, the collar sprays a small amount of citronella, which dogs dislike.

5. Use positive reinforcement to train your dog to bark on command; this will help him learn how to be quieted on command as well.

6. Say "Good" at the exact instant your pet exhibits good behavior, followed by a reward and plenty of praise.

7. Consult a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or a pet behaviorist for additional suggestions if all else fails.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent barking while you're away, leave your dog inside the house, turn the radio on to soft music, and close the drapes and blinds when you leave.

• Certain breeds, nervous or overexcited dogs, dogs with separation anxiety or dogs that haven't been trained properly at an early age are prone to excessive barking.

• Excessive barking might be caused by separation anxiety, which can be dangerous to the dog if not treated properly. The dog may require professional help from a certified veterinary behaviorist.

• Avoid using shock collars - these are not recommended, especially for dogs with separation anxiety, unless the only other option is to have your dog put down.