Does it seem like your pup barks at every noise, dog, or person they see?? Don’t worry, you are not alone! Most dogs do this at one point or another, it’s just part of how they communicate!
Although we want our dogs to be able to express how they feel, excessive barking may not be the most ideal way. If you want to teach your dog to understand when it’s ok and not ok to bark try to implement one or all of the tips below!
1. Exercise!
Have you ever noticed that your dog is extra mellow after a long play session in the yard or park? This is because a tired dog is a quiet and relaxed one!
Not only will your pup love the extra bonding time playing fetch with you, but he will also be less likely to bark if you leave the house after.
2. Remove the Motivation to Bark
Does your dog bark at the mailman or the neighbor’s dog? If you know the reason that causes your dog to bark a great option is to remove that motivation.
Say your furry friend loves to bark every time the mail is delivered, if you know what time your mail is coming you can time your outside play sessions around that. This ensures that your dog will not even have the chance to bark at them!
Removing the motivation to bark can be easy and simple in some situations, but other times it is next to impossible. If this tip doesn’t work for you and your dog then check out tip #3!
3. Desensitize the Stimulus
If you are unable to remove the reason that is causing your dog to bark, or maybe you don’t want to, then this tip is for you!
Let’s say your dog barks at your neighbor’s pup every time you take him on a walk. We want to help your dog become familiar with this stimulus so he no longer wants to bark. To do this, keep introducing your dog to the stimulus very slowly and from afar. Keep the other dog out of sight at the beginning of the walk and as you move closer feed your dog treats when he remains calm.
This is a slow process, but be patient and soon enough your dog will learn!
4. Ignore or Distract
When your dog is bored or wants attention do they continuously bark? If you respond every time your dog barks they will begin to associate barking with attention from you.
To stop this kind of barking you can try to just ignore the noise. When they stop barking praise your doggo with a treat! Continue this for different amounts of time to keep it fun for you and your dog! This method is great if you are crate training your dog and they bark every time you close the door.
If ignoring your dog doesn’t sound like a method that will work for you or your furry best friend then try distracting them! Ask your dog to do a task like sit or lay down, then reward them with a treat! Or try to give them a toy and play with them until they stop barking.
The most important thing to remember while training your dog to stop barking is to never yell at them! They may think you are encouraging or barking along with them, which will only slow down the learning process. Also, remember to be patient!
Your dog is only trying to communicate so being patient with them during their training journey is key!
