Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Stop the barking with relaxation
• Part 2 of 3: Stop barking on walks
• Part 3 of 3: Stop barking in the house
• Tips
• Warnings

Barking is the natural way dogs communicate. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, including asking for attention, playing, and alarming. However, when your dog barks at another dog, it can be problematic and annoying. If your dog has a habit of barking at other dogs, you can try different strategies to get rid of this bad behavior.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Stop the barking with relaxation

1. Position yourself and your dog away from another dog. If your dog barks violently when on a leash or behind a fence, he will experience "barrier frustration" - he is frustrated at being constrained by the barrier. To allow your dog to relax and reduce frustration, put him on a leash and stand close enough that he can see the other dog, but far enough away that he is unresponsive.
   • Choose an area where many dogs come, such as a dog walking area or pet store.
   • It may take some trial and error to determine how far away you should initially position yourself and your dog. If you go to a pet store, you can stand at the edge of the parking lot or further away on the sidewalk. If you go to a park, you can stand on the edge or in a corner of the outlet area.
2. Give your dog rewards. When your dog sees another dog but isn't barking or reacting in any other way, give him a treat. Instead of giving him the whole treat at once, give him smaller pieces for the entire time that your dog sees the other dog and doesn't respond. The continuous reward is not only a reward, but also keeps your dog slightly distracted while another dog is around.
   • Stop feeding the treat when the other dog has passed. Don't forget to reduce the amount of food to compensate for the amount of rewards you give during the workout.
   • As the workout progresses, replace the cookies with verbal rewards and pats.
   • Watch your dog closely for signs of barking (growling, hair raised, staring). The goal is to give him cookies before he reacts or starts barking.
   • With prolonged repetition, your dog will likely look at you, waiting for his reward, when he is not barking or responding.
3. Add a verbal command. In addition to giving treats as a reward, consider adding a verbal command to draw his attention to you and distract him from the other dog. Choose a short sentence ("look here") or a single word ("focus", "look") and say that every time your dog sees another dog. Before giving your dog a treat, say the command so that he associates the command with the reward.
   • It is very important that you and other family members say the command consistently so that your dog knows when not to bark.
4. Get closer. Challenge your dog by gradually moving closer to the other dog (i.e. closer to the pet store or access to the dog walking area). If your dog responds and starts barking, step back and start trying to get closer again. Try to get a few meters closer per workout. Continue to give rewards as long as he doesn't bark or respond.
   • You may need to get creative in getting closer. For example, if you're at a pet store, you may need to position yourself on the sidewalk or parking lot.
5. Practice every day. Daily exercise is essential to get your dog to stop barking at other dogs. To keep him interested, limit the workouts to 5 - 10 minutes. The workouts should be positive and fast, with enough positive encouragement (cookies, verbal reward, extra petting).

Part 2 of 3: Stop barking on walks

1. Walk your dog on a sturdy leash or harness. A walk with your dog should be a pleasant experience, not a struggle to keep your dog from attacking another dog. A good leash or harness will help control your dog in case he starts barking or attacking. Harnesses are ideal because they won't hurt your dog if you suddenly have to maneuver it sideways or pull it back.
   • Your first instinct may be to keep the line short and tight. However, it can more likely to make your dog pull. Hold the line firmly, but not too tight.
   • If you have to maneuver your dog during the walk, make sure you don't pull on the leash.
2. Choose a different location to walk your dog. There are many ways to get your dog to stop barking at other dogs on a walk, the simplest of which is to find another location to walk. This removes the dog's motivation to bark. Find an open, quiet area where your dog will feel more relaxed on the walk.
3. Walk away from the other dog. If you choose to walk in a place that is impractical, you will need to find another way to stop your dog from barking when a dog eventually comes close. For example, you can turn around and walk the other way when you see another dog. If possible, do this before your dog sees the other dog, don't wait for your dog to respond.
   • Turn your body sideways to the side where your dog is standing and give it a little push to turn with you.
   • Teach your dog to turn on command. Give your dog a verbal command ("turn", "turn around") and use a biscuit to urge him to turn around. With enough repetition and reward, your dog will learn this command.
   • Call out your dog's name to get his attention and then run or walk backward while standing in front of him. This will keep your dog's attention on you while creating space between you and the other dog.
4. Distract your dog. If you can divert your dog's attention from the other dog, he will stop barking or will not be tempted to bark anymore. One way to distract him is to throw cookies on the floor. While the other dog is walking by, your dog is probably too busy eating the cookie to notice.
   • You can also bring a squeaky toy for distraction.
5. Leave your dog walk at the foot. When another dog comes close, your dog may be very prone to jumping and barking. Letting your dog walk on the foot will prevent him from jumping. Give your dog a treat when he walks on the foot.
   • Just be aware that your dog may still be prone to barking, even if you control his body movements.
6. Add challenges to your dog's walk. Challenges force the dog to pay more attention to you than to other dogs. For example, if you normally walk on a flat street, find a street with a slope. You can also challenge him by adding unpredictability to the walk: change speed or direction, walk around bushes or trees, or walk back and forth along the sidewalk (if no cars are passing).
   • Make sure your dog enjoys the challenge.

Part 3 of 3: Stop barking in the house

1. Teach your dog the "speak" and "quiet" commands. If your dog is barking at other dogs at home, you can stop it by checking when it barks. You will first have to teach him the command "speak". Say "speak" and then do something that will make your dog bark, such as knocking on the door. After he barks a few times, hold a biscuit in front of his nose and when he stops barking, give it to sniff it.
   • If your dog has learned to bark when you say "speak", you can teach him the "quiet" command to stop barking. Hold another biscuit in front of him and give it to him when he stops barking. With practice, your dog will learn to stop barking when you say "quiet."
   • It is best to learn the "silent" command in an environment without distractions. Then you can practice the command in an area where he is likely to see or hear another dog.
   • Don't yell "quiet." When you yell, your dog will think you are barking too!
2. Have your dog perform a different activity. The goal here is to get your dog to do something that doesn't allow him to bark. For example, if your dog starts barking, you can order him to lie down or roll over. He will not be able to bark in these positions and the effort it takes to follow the command will stop the barking.
3. Block your dog's access. If you have a fenced yard for your dog, seeing or hearing another dog can cause the barking. You can stop this barking by bringing him inside, which will block access to the other dog. If he's already inside, you can close the curtains.
   • If your dog can't see or hear the other dog, there's nothing to bark at.
   • Your dog may engage in "fence fighting," running back and forth along the fence, barking at other dogs to keep them away. This can be fun for your dog, but it is not fun for you, the other dog, or the other dog's owner. Bring him in if he starts doing this.
4. Give your dog something to play with. Just like on walks, distractions can divert your dog's attention from the other dog. Puzzle toys with treats in them are good distractions, as your dog can play with them for a long time. You can also play games with your dog, such as hide and seek or fetch, to distract him.
5. Turn on white noise. White noise is background noise. While your dog won't pay attention to it right away, white noise helps crowd out sounds from other dogs outside. If you notice your dog staring at the window and getting ready to bark (if he's not already doing that), turn on white noise (the TV or radio).
   • Sounds from other dogs can trigger barking.
   • When your dog stops barking, give him a treat to reward him for stopping.

Tips

• Barking produces adrenaline, which is pleasant for your dog. So barking at other dogs may feel good, but it is not appropriate.
• It may take a few days to several weeks for your dog to stop barking at other dogs. The longer he does it, the longer it will take to break the habit.
• Before you take your dog for a walk, you can tire him out with a short fetch session. If he has to, he will be less likely to bark at other dogs.
• Keep calm when you walk your dog. If you are tense, your dog will become tense too.
• If you find yourself pulling hard on the leash when you see another dog, combine that action with a treat for your dog. Because of this, he associates behaviors that would normally spur him to bark at other dogs with something positive.
• If you are unable to get your dog to stop barking at other dogs, contact your veterinarian or animal behaviorist.

Warnings

• If the behavior is not corrected right away, the barking and aggression towards other dogs can worsen over time.
• Adrenaline can cause your dog to go from aroused to aggressive quickly. In addition, excitement in some situations (dog walking area, walking service) can cause your dog to react more strongly in other situations.
• Don't yell "No!" At your dog when he barks. This sounds like barking to him.
• An underlying medical condition can be the cause of your dog's inappropriate barking behavior. Take your dog to the vet to rule out a medical cause.