Just like humans are expected to speak, dogs are expected to bark. This is their form of communication. However, you don’t want a dog that barks excessively. Your dog may bark for a variety of reasons, such as seeking attention, feeling territorial, playing, boredom, fear, excitement, and separation anxiety. It can be helpful to know the reason why your dog is barking to prevent it, but it’s not always possible to know why they are barking. Knowing a few tips to control barking can help avoid the frustration caused by a dog that barks excessively. Keep reading for our tips on how to stop a dog from barking too much.
Keep Your Dog Active
Our first tip for how to stop a dog from barking is exercise. Be sure that you provide your furry friend with an adequate amount of physical activity and mental exercise each day. Walking or running with your furry friend along with some playtime is a great way to incorporate movement into your life as well. When you’re not at home, your dog is more likely to rest if she’s gotten plenty of exercise. If you have a more active dog, you may want to consider a dog walker or coming home during lunch to walk your dog.
Dog daycare can also be a great way to make sure your dog gets the exercise she needs every day. At Fon’s, we even take our daycare campers out for nature walks.
Mix and Mingle
If your dog isn’t used to being around other people or other dogs, she’ll be more likely to bark when people and dogs are around. Take the time to introduce them to other dogs on walks or take them to a dog park. Having people over to your house or even letting them meet the mailman is a good way to socialize your dog. Be sure when they act appropriately that you give them a treat to reward their good behavior. There are several dog parks in San Diego County where you can take your furry loved ones to mix and mingle.
Dog daycare can also help you socialize your dog! Being around so many other dogs and our staff for most of the day will help her get used to being around dogs and people she doesn’t know.
Brain Games
Keep your dog mentally enriched with interactive dog toys, entertaining walks, teaching your dog tricks, and common commands. When a dog’s mind is working, she’ll feel tired and happy, making her less likely to bark excessively. Keeping your dog busy with mental enrichment will pay off when it comes to how to stop a dog from barking.
Surround Sound
When you plan to leave your dog alone, familiar sounds like the radio or television can help reduce her likelihood of barking. The sound will provide comfort to your dog when you aren’t home and may be able to mask sounds from outside that might normally trigger barking. It’s also a good idea to keep curtains and blinds closed to remove the opportunity for your dog to see something outside that may catch her attention and lead to barking.
Don’t Speak
Teaching your dog commands like sit, heel, and stay is essential, but teaching your dog when to bark and when not to bark is just as important. Start with teaching your dog to bark by telling her to “speak”. When they bark two to three times, let them smell a treat, and once they stop barking, give them the treat. Once your dog has mastered the “speak” command, teach her the “quiet” command. You can do this by telling her to “speak”, letting her smell the treat, and then saying “quiet” and don’t give her the treat until she stops barking. Be sure you praise your dog when she follows your commands.
Ignorance is Bliss
Just like a baby will cry when it needs something, your dog is likely to bark when she needs your attention. You’re better off ignoring your dog’s barking and waiting until she’s quiet to give her what she wants. Be sure that you provide her with positive reinforcement when she is behaving the way you want her to. Dogs naturally want to please their owners, so when you show her you’re pleased, she’ll continue to do so.
Get Professional Help For Reducing Barking From Fon’s Canines
If you have a dog that you have not been able to train on your own, there is always professional help available. It isn’t always easy to train a dog on your own and having a professional who can help you out can be very beneficial.
If you’re looking for a reliable and effective dog training, Fon’s Canines offers professional training tailored to your dog’s unique needs. Call 858-799-0606 or email contact@fonsdogtraining.com to learn more and book a session today.
With more than 70 years of experience providing top-quality dog boarding, dog grooming, dog daycare, and dog training in San Diego County, we have what it takes to help you keep your pup healthy and happy!
