How do you stop your dog from barking? This is the million-dollar question that many dog owners face every day. Don't professional dog trainers on TV make it look so easy? It's almost as if they were born with it. A simple gesture here, a command there, and a dog is as soft as putty in their hands. You couldn't possibly pull this off with such apparent ease, could you? You CAN, after all. However, there are a few guidelines to follow first:
1) What is the cause of your dog's barking? This is an important question to ask yourself because it will help you stop your dog from barking. Different dogs bark in response to different situations. When you understand why your dog is barking, your behavior toward him will change.
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2) The size of a dog can influence its behavior. It is common knowledge that puppies and smaller breeds of dogs bark when they are scared. This fear stems from the smaller dog's perception of being threatened by larger dogs and humans. Consider a puppy whose main fear is being alone. Compare this to a large breed dog who barks at the pizza delivery guy. Understanding your dog allows you to take the necessary steps to correct the situation.
3) Recognize that barking IS required. It is critical to understand that you will not completely eliminate your dog's barking. This is because barking is your dog's natural mode of communication. Recognizing this allows you to control the situation on your terms - you can teach your dog when it is and is not acceptable to bark.
4) Teach your dog to be by himself. The persistent barker has never been taught that being alone is acceptable. Your dog has received a lot of praise despite not doing anything to deserve it! When he is left to his own devices, he becomes agitated because there is no one to make a big deal out of his very existence.
5) Are you doing the fundamentals? Is your dog getting enough food and water? It's amazing how soothing one more bowl of water can be for a barking dog. Check that your dog is not overly restrained and that he can relax in an area where he cannot see people or other animals. You might have to bring him inside. This, too, can work wonders, but where your dog goes indoors is entirely up to you. You are in command.
6) Consider your body language. Most dog owners find this difficult. We enjoy making a big deal out of our pet. When we reassure our dog that we won't be gone long and that he/she will see us later, our tone of voice naturally rises, and when we do return, we greet our dog with great affection. This only serves to remind our pet that being alone is a traumatic experience for them, and we are pleased with how they handled it. They bar like crazy as soon as we leave, wanting that approval.
Some of you may be thinking as you read this, "my dog has enough food and I know barking is necessary, but how on earth do I teach my dog to be alone or a trigger "key" word?" All of the above and more can be learned from the dog training professionals we all envy thanks to the internet.