How to Train Your Dog to Stop Barking

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Radios
• 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.

[josiesusinno]

on 8/5/2009 Boy do I wish I had read this one when my dog was a pup! LOL!!!

[jenseeraq]

on 7/23/2009 When you yell at your dog, when it barks, what does the dog hear? I hears you doing the same thing it did. And therefore thinks it's a good thing or a play thing.
If you have a social dog, ignore it when it barks.
And like the article says, teach it how to bark on command, so you can teach it how to be quite.
I don't believe in negative re-enforcement.
Train actively with the dog. Stay close to (and play with) the dog when it's in a situation, where it use to bark, then praise it a give it treats when it don't.

[ynohtna]

on 7/11/2009 Even though everyone wants to train a dog to stop barking, it is hard to do. This article helps big time thanks! I rate 5*

[soniafromcanada]

on 6/24/2009 You should go to http://www.petcare-store.com and look for bark free deterrant devices that send out ultrasonic signals and train dogs to stop barking through negative re-inforcement. It is safe and humane.

[Crazychica4405]

on 6/24/2009 Well, I'm an ACO, so I didn't think it was for us. But we live next door to the fire hall.. and someone there called on them, when they weren't even barking. The ACO who came out only heard the one barkin bout.. but it was because the RP came out the side door of the firehall. Irony? I put up with the d@^n fire whistle all the time, day and night, don't I?