How to Stop Excessive Barking

Stop Excessive Barking

Birds sing and chirp, Frogs croak, Cows moo, Cats meow …..and….. Dogs Bark. It is absolutely normal for your dog to bark. If you have a dog than you know this for sure and you also know that sometimes they also whine or howl.

My Chocolate Lab, Kuva, well he loves to sing. I actually didn't teach him this - when he was little I would sing with my Parrot - she also loves to sing - and Kuva just automatically chimed in with us! So - then I would sing to him and tell him to sing - he would then sing up a storm!

Today if anyone in the house sings - he will jump up out of a sound sleep and sing along with them! He absolutely loves it! He is my family's official birthday singer - we telephone the birthday guy or gal and Kuva will sing to them over the phone.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Dogs bark to communicate - they are communicating that they want something - or they are excited - they could bark if they are frightened - or they hear or see something and they are sending a warning. Or, of course, they could be a singer like Kuva!

Most of us don't mind the occasional bark - especially when they are letting you know a stranger is outside. So barking isn't the problem - what the problem can be is excessive barking.

Nuisance Barking

Nuisance barking is not natural to a dog - the reasons for this barking are usually because the dog is lonely, nervous, bored or frightened. If your dog is alone much of the day - he could start barking - out of boredom or anxiety.

Dog are pack animals - they are social beings.

To stop nuisance barking - you need to make sure your dog is getting enough exercise and has chew toys when you are gone. Sometimes it is helpful to leave a radio or tv on when you go out.

When you are home - if you take just a few minutes here and there you can exercise your dog and get some training in at the same time. A quick run of some training commands - sit, stay, come, roll over and then some physical touching from you - makes an all around happy pet.

Throwing a toy around for a few minutes engages the dog and also gets you some training commands - bring it - drop it - go get it. And….you're petting and telling your dog how good he is - helps him to feel secure - keeps him happy - and usually a well trained happy pet - is not a nuisance barker!

Is Your Dog Confused?

Your dog barks cause he wants to go out - and you open the door and off he goes. Or - you pick up the leash and your dog barks out of excitement - you are in a good mood and so you let him/her bark and off you go for a walk.

Your dog barks because there is a strange noise outside - and you encourage and praise your dog for doing this.

Then your dog barks again for excitement - maybe she is hoping you will talk her out for a walk today -- but -- you have a headache and you aren't going for a walk and you certainly don't want to hear this barking dog - so you holler at her to stop!

If you live in a suburb your dog could now be barking at every single person and group of kids that pass your door -- and you are again yelling for him to stop!

By now your dog is confused - he/she doesn't know when it is OK to bark and Not OK to bark!

Again the problem isn't that the dog barks - the problem is he/she doesn't know the rules. The only way you can teach the rules is by teaching the command "No Bark" or "Be Quiet".

"Be Quiet"

If your dog already barks on command - that will make this even easier. Have some small treats in your pocket or hand - Give the command "Bark" - your dog barks and you praise him  - then as your dog is barking give the command "No Bark" and wave that treat near him where he can smell it. The dog will usually stop barking right away cause he is smelling that goodie! Give him the treat and praise him. Do this a few times -- then stop -- don't over do it.

Now sometimes this is all that needs to be done - your dog got it! But usually without some more reinforcement - even if your dog is obeying this at first - the day will come where she is very excited and will forget all about this command.

The best thing to do is  - to teach this command everyday for several days - then skip a few days of giving the treat. If your dog starts barking and you say "No Bark" and he/she does not pay attention - go back to an everyday schedule for 3-4 days.

Each dog is a little different on how quickly they will learn this. And it is always a good idea to run through all the commands they have been taught every so often. That keeps them remembering and also gives them some play time with you.

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