How to Stop Barking Dog
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Do you know why most dogs have barking problems? They’re bored! Most owners will report that their dog only has barking problems at night or when the owner is away. Think of it from your dog’s point of view. When a dog is used to be entertained by his owner all the time, he gets confused and bored when the owner is not around. Essentially, you have created this barking monster by raising a spoiled dog that doesn’t know how to entertain himself.
The first step towards how to stop barking dog to teach him that barking does not get him positive results. For example, if your dog barks in the backyard and you bring him back into the house, he learns that barking results in getting your attention and being let in. When he wants to get your attention or be let in the house, he will bark because you taught him that barking works.
Think that yelling at your dog when he barks is going to solve the problem? After all, you don’t like getting yelled at. Your parents trained you that if you’re being yelled at you should stop whatever it is that you’re doing! Dogs don’t make that connection. If you yell at your dog, he just sees it as attention. Even negative attention is better than no attention at all. You’ll just find yourself yelling more and more often.
If your dog barks when you are away at work, there are some steps you can take to stop him. First, be sure he has all the necessities in his assigned area. His space should have food, water, and a comfortable place to rest. Outdoor areas should have a shaded area or doghouse where he can seek refuge from the sun and weather. Your dog’s area should also be stocked with toys to keep him entertained. You will have to experiment to see which toys work best for your dog.
Some owners with dogs who suffer from problem barking have stopped it with this long-term toy: take a Kong and fill the inside with peanut butter. Freeze the toy overnight. The dog will have to work at the toy for a long time to eat the peanut butter, giving him hours of entertainment.
Remember that you have most likely taught your dog this behavior by never letting him learn how to be alone. If you’re always giving your dog attention when he hasn’t earned it, he gets worried and concerned when he’s not receiving from you. One way to curb a problem barker is to stop giving him attention he hasn’t earned. Refrain from touching or talking to your dog unless he is doing something in reaction to a command you have given.
Practice leaving your dog. Get him involved with a toy or treat and then quietly sneak out of the room. Leave him for a few minutes, then come back in like nothing’s wrong. Don’t talk to him, don’t praise him, and don’t touch him. Just have a seat like nothing out of the ordinary happened. Even when you come home from work, don’t greet your dog. Go to the bathroom, change your clothes, grab a drink. Then after your dog has realized that he’s not the center of your world, give him a command like “Sit.” When he has obeyed, then you can greet him and praise him.
If you teach your dog that barking does not get him attention and that the only way to receive attention is by being quiet and patient, your dog will be quiet and patient. But he can’t do it alone – give him the tools to keep him entertained when you’re not around.
