How To Stop Your Dog From Barking Excessively
If your dog barks excessively, it can be disturbing not only to you but also your neighbors. While this is not an easy habit to break, it can be done. The longer you allow the barking, the harder it is to break the habit.
Below are some tips to help:
1. Try to find out why your dog is barking and address it
Your dog gets something out of barking, a reward or even your attention when he barks otherwise your dog wouldn’t do it. Try to figure out what your dog gets out of barking and address or remove it. There has to be a reason that your dog is provoked to start barking and whatever the motivation is, if possible, needs to be removed.
2. Teach your dog the “quiet” command
To teach your dog the quiet command, you first need to make sure your dog knows how to bark on command. Ask your dog to bark and then praise your pup.
Then teach your dog the quiet command. First ask your dog to bark. Then ask your dog to be quiet and give him praise for being quiet. When he is quiet, give him lots of praise or even his favorite toy.
3. Ignore your dog when he is barking
Try to ignore your dog’s barking and let him continue to bark until he tires out. When he barks, don’t give him any attention, don’t touch him or look at your pup. When he stops barking, then you can praise your dog. He will learn that barking will not get your attention and gets praised for not barking.
4. Try to get your dog to do something that is inconsistent with barking.
When your dog starts barking, ask your dog to do something that is incompatible while barking. For example, teach your dog to lie down on his bed or even fetch a tennis ball. Both actions would automatically stop the barking to focus on the task.
5. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise
Daily exercise for your dog is important for so many reasons. By tiring out your dog with exercise, your dog will be less likely to bark from being merely bored or frustrated. Depending on your dog’s temperament and age, it could take a couple daily walks and even leaving some toys out for him to play to tire him out and stop the barking.
With time and patience, your dog will stop barking if you can find the cause and then correct the behavior. Always keep your training sessions positive, upbeat and consistent.
If your dog continues to bark and is not responding to behavioral training, you should take your dog to the vet to make sure that there isn’t a physical reason why your dog is barking.
If your dog does have any type of unexpected illness or condition, pet insurance can help with the cost of the vet bills which can be a big financial relief. If you want to learn more about pet insurance, this guide by Consumer’s Advocate.org can can give you some very valuable information as well as the best companies that offer pet insurance.