Stop Dog Barking Excessively
Dog barking is normal but you will want to stop your dog barking excessively if it becomes a problem for you your family and neighbours.
Why Dogs Bark
There are many reasons dog bark and different ways you can stop them barking. Once you know why your dog is barking so much it will be much easier to find a solution.
How to Stop Dog Barking for Attention
A dog may for example bark to persuade you to throw a ball for it or perhaps to be let in or out the house. This in itself is not a problem but when a dog barks excessively to get what it wants a solution can be to ignore it. Only when the dog finally stops barking should it be praised and rewarded.In this case the dog learns to accept that he only gets what he wants when he stops barking.
How to Stop Dog Barking due to Boredom
If a dog is bored, which could be through lack of exercise or being left alone for long periods this can cause excessive barking. The dog could be barking for something to do or in the hope that the owner will return.Try to make sure your dog has sufficient exercise each day which includes exercising his mind as well as body. Walking can be supplemented with fetching games. Obedience training not only helps to give you a well behaved dog but also makes a dog use it’s brain. If you do have to leave your dog on its own for a few hours leave him with toys such as filled kongs and hide chews that will take him some to eat and prevent him becoming bored so easily.
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How to Stop Dog Barking from Fear and Anxiety
Seperation Anxiety can be a cause of excessive dog barking. Try not to make a big deal of when you are leaving and leave the dog a filled Kong or hide chew to keep him occupied. If you do have to leave your dog for more than a few hours try to arrange for a friend (your dog knows) to come and walk your dog or keep him company for a while. Perhaps you could arrange a dog walking swap with another local dog owner.
How to Stop Dog Barking Excessively to Protect their Territory (ie in your house, garden or yard)
Most owners will be happy for their dog to bark to warn them that strangers are approaching the house. Instead of shouting at the dog to stop barking try praising them first for alerting you. If the barking then continues it may be necessary to teach them the quiet command. This can be done by catching the dog barking then trying to distract them with another command such as sit. When the dog is busy sitting he should stop barking even if just briefly – say “Quiet” then praise and treat the dog. It will probably be necessary to practice this several times until the dog realises that the praise and treats come when he is quiet.
How to Stop Dog Barking at Night
If your dog barks excessively at night you can try teaching the quiet command as suggested above. If this doesn’t work you could try squirting the dog with cold water, this should surprise them into stopping. You may have to try this over several nights to stop your dog barking at night for good.
Stop Barking Dog Devices
If other methods don’t work you could try a stop dog barking collar (depending on your view of these). You can get stop barking collars that emit a high pitched sound inaudible to humans that is triggered when the dog barks, this doesn’t hurt the dog but is an annoying sound that the dog will probably prefer to avoid. You can also get collars which spray a dog with water or citronella when it barks. It is better to try to stop your dog barking with positive training methods before resorting to a stop bark dog collar.
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