How to Stop Barking Dogs

Throughout history, pets it would seem were rarely kept in the home, a situation common in most parts of the world today. However, in recent times as people became more affluent and moved into cities house pets have become increasingly popular. There are an estimated 5,000,000 pets in the world. Of these an amazing 40% or so are found in the United States approximately 59,000,000 pet dogs and 75,000,000 cats. Yet London and Paris each have more pets per household than does New York City. This can create problems.

Is your dog barking too much?

Dogs bark! It’s normal, it’s natural, that’s what they do. But what if your dog barks a lot, or for long periods of time. Some dog owner’s will tolerate behaviour in their pets they would never tolerate in people. According to the Pet Care Forum “the owners of problem barkers seem to develop an ability to ignore the noise.” Now - that’s just plain annoying and can make you very unpopular. You might be used to it or if you’re out of the house a lot you may not appreciate how bad it is, but a shift working neighbour or the mother next door trying to get her baby to sleep might not be so forgiving.

Author and animal expert Dr. Jonica Newby says “contrary to popular belief studies from around the world show consistently that half the dogs given to animal welfare shelters are not abandoned but are taken there by their owners who cannot cope with the barking, destructiveness or sheer energy of their pets”. It helps if you know why your dog barks as there may be some simple steps you could take to stop or cut down the barking.

What’s the problem?

When does your dog bark? For how long? Make a note of it. .If you’re out a lot and the neighbours complain could they note down the occasions when your dog barks? Do you have a webcam or video camera so you can monitor what your dog does when you’re out? Leave the dog as if you were going out for the day. Wait around outside to check on what your dog does, if it starts to bark or howl go back indoors. Do not make the situation worse by punishing the dog but don’t let it think you have returned as a reward for its barking.

What to do?

There are several simple things you can do to quieten things down.

1.If your dog barks when it’s in the garden or yard don’t put it out on it’s own
2.If it barks at people, keep it away from windows.
3.If it barks when people leave for work or school, try to distract it or keep it busy.
Could you take it for a walk at this time?
4.If your dog is outside barking- let it in!
5.Don’t get the dog exited by playing with it late at night. Keep the dog calm.
6.When you go out could you take the dog with you or get a friend or relative to look after
it?
7.Give your dog some exercise before you go out, if it’s tired it will bark less.

Long term

Once you start making progress, praise your dog every time he is quiet when he would normally have barked. Give it a treat, be consistent, if it barks tell it firmly to be quiet. Dogs are pack animals - they love company. They’re part of the family. If you have to leave them put the radio on quietly and leave them some toys or chews. Dogs guard their territory by barking at people, animals, cars. Keep the dog away from the front of the house, if he starts to bark bring him straight in. If your dog barks simply for attention don’t give it any. Look at the dog then look away, doesn’t respond. Ignore the dog for twenty or thirty minutes two or three times a day. Have everyone in the house do the same thing. Doing this for fifteen minutes before you go out can help stop your dog barking when you leave.

You will need to be consistent and committed if your dog is to improve in his behaviour. Don’t expect miracles overnight but if you follow the advice outlined in this article you will see a definite improvement.

As the owner of a naughty little terrier who terrorises the postman on a daily basis and barks at every passing shadow I found this information easy to apply and extremely effective. I would also like to share some further advice on all aspects of dog training and welfare.
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