How to Teach a Dog to Stop Barking

For the most part, dogs who bark all the time are probably bored.  If they are used to being with a lot of people they will bark to get attention. You have probably "trained" them to do that.

Think of this:  When your dog barks, what do you do?  I can bet that you will turn your head and either say something or pet/pick up your dog.  By responding to the bark you are positively reinforcing that behavior.

You have to teach your dog that barking is not the best way to get your attention.

It isn't hard to learn how to teach a dog to quit barking, but you do have to keep with it.  You also have to do the same thing EVERY time!  If you don't stand firm while you are learning how to teach a dog to quit barking, you are going to get frustrated and give up.

KEEP WITH IT!

When learning how to teach a dog to stop barking there are some basic considerations you have to keep in mind.  A dog will not only bark to get your attention.  Some times there is a real reason for it.

Does your dog have enough food?

Does your dog have water?

Does your dog need to go outside to pee or poo?

Is there anything or anyone (another animal) that is taunting your dog from outside?

If all of these basic things are taken care of, and your dog keeps barking.  It is probably time to get the "big guns" out and learn how to teach a dog to stop barking!

We have established that positive reinforcement is more than likely the reason your dog barks all the time.  When your dog barks for your attention, you probably talk to him or pet him to get him to stop.  That is positively reinforcing that behavior.

First we need to work on YOU. Believe it or not, you have to train yourself in order to learn how to teach a dog to stop barking.  You have to catch yourself!  Once you realize what you do when he barks you will understand what you have to stop doing.  If your dog learns that barking will not get your attention in any way, he will learn that he needs to stop barking.

Next, we need to do something that replaces your positive reinforcement.  Have you ever seen "The Dog Whisperer" on NATGEO?  He uses a noise, "tss", to snap a dog out of the behavior.  Try a noise like that or a snap of the finger.  Anything to remind him that you are not going to give in to his demands.

Make sure that what ever you choose to replace the positive reinforcement doesn't harm the dog.  DO NOT hit your dog. DO NOT yell at your dog. Most importantly DO NOT get pissed off, dogs can feel that energy.  Doing anything like this will teach your dog to stay away from you because you are mean!

In all of this, the most important thing is to stick with it.  I said that once before, and it is true. Think about giving up like this: You haven't solved the problem, and your dog will still bark.  You accomplish nothing by giving up!