Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Understanding territorial barking
• Part 2 of 3: Reduce exposure of your dog to strangers
• Part 3 of 3: Train your dog to respond to strangers

Your dog's barking is one way he communicates with you. As his owner, you may be happy that your dog warns you when someone is at the front door. Barking excessively and persistently or barking at strangers may be indications that your dog is suspicious or uncomfortable around new people. It is important that you use training techniques to control your dog's barking so that he does not act too aggressively towards others.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Understanding territorial barking

1. Develop an understanding of the causes of your dog's territorial barking. In most cases, when dogs bark at strangers, this falls under territorial barking. This type of barking starts when your dog is anxious and sees strangers as a potential threat. Dogs have a natural tendency to defend their territory, so they will bark when they spot strangers in the places they see as their territory, such as their home or yard.
   • Your dog may be so motivated to bark at a potential threat that he may completely ignore your command to stop barking or the scolding you give him. Even if you use severe punishment to stop your dog from barking, he may try to maintain control of his territory by biting someone.
   • Some dogs will bark to alert their owners of a potential threat. Alarming barking is triggered by what the dog sees and hears. Dogs that bark alarmingly may even respond to strangers who are not in or near the dog's territory. Your dog might bark at strangers in the park, on the street, or in some other place unfamiliar to him.
2. Don't yell or yell at your dog when he barks. Most dog experts agree that yelling at, scolding, or hitting a barking dog can actually make his barking worse. If your dog is barking out of fear or nervousness, the punishment will only make him more stressed. Instead, you should train your dog to respond appropriately to strangers, barking only when necessary.
   • Dogs are bred to bark, so don't get upset if your dog suddenly starts barking when you hear a car door slam and noise in the street. However, dogs barking at strangers need training to ensure they don't become too aggressive towards others.
3. Avoid becoming dependent on a muzzle to stop your dog from barking. Some dog owners may consider using a muzzle to reduce barking. Anti-bark collars are often a form of punishment for your dog and should only be used as a last resort and not as a first option. No-bark collars and muzzles are not as effective as training your dog and can lead to other behavioral problems.

Part 2 of 3: Reduce exposure of your dog to strangers

1. Make sure that your dog has a less good view of unknown people at the front door. It is important to control your dog's barking by creating an environment where your dog has less visibility of others. Keep curtains or blinds closed during the day when your dog is at home. You can also install safety gates so that your dog doesn't have access to rooms with large windows that allow him to see out.
   • For a more permanent solution, you could place removable plastic wrap or spray a coating on the windows to make it harder for your dog to see people outside. This limits your dog's ability to see people, making it less likely to defend its territory and bark.
   EXPERT TIP

   Place a fence around your yard. If your dog likes to be in the yard, you could put a fence (such as a hedge or fence) around your yard so that your dog cannot see any passers-by. This will make him less likely to bark and this also allows him to play nicely without being distracted by unknown people.

   • The fence will also block your dog's view of the street when inside, preventing him from seeing passers-by and therefore barking at them.
2. Distract your dog while barking by ringing a bunch of keys. The sound will startle your dog and stop barking. Then order him to move away from the door or window and command "sit". Reward him with a treat and give him the command “stay”. If he stays put and hushes, you could give him a few more treats until the stranger is out of sight.
   • If he starts barking again after sitting down, you could ring the key ring again and repeat the steps.
   • Avoid encouraging your dog to bark at people who are at the door saying "Who's there?" say to your dog as you walk to the front door. This will put your dog in a state of alert that is likely to cause him to bark.

Part 3 of 3: Train your dog to respond to strangers

1. Use the "silent" technique by holding your dog's muzzle. This technique teaches your dog to bark at people when someone is at the front door until you give the command "quiet". Your dog should bark no more than three to four times and stop when you calmly give him the following command: “quiet”.
   • Practice this technique when an unknown person, such as a delivery person, is at the front door. Make your dog bark three to four times. Then bend your upper body in his direction and say "quiet".
   • Walk up to your dog and gently place your hand around its muzzle. Then give him the command "quiet" again.
   • Release your dog's muzzle and take a step back. Then order him to move away from the door or window by shouting his name and “here”.
   • Command your dog to "sit" and then reward him with a treat. If he stays put and hushes, you could give him a few more treats until the stranger is out of sight.
   • If your dog starts barking as soon as he is sitting, repeat the steps again and not reward him until he sits and keeps quiet.
2. Try the "quiet" technique without holding your dog's muzzle. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of ​​holding your dog's muzzle or if you suspect that this may be scaring your dog, you could try the "quiet" method without holding his muzzle.
   • Make your dog bark three to four times. Then you need to approach him and say "quiet". Encourage your dog to stay still by giving him small treats such as pieces of cooked chicken, pieces of hot dog, or small cubes of cheese. Repeat these steps several times over a period of several days until your dog understands what "quiet" means. Your dog should stop barking as soon as you give the command "quiet".
   • After a few days of practicing, you should extend the time between the command "quiet" and the reward with a treat. Say "quiet" and wait two seconds before giving your dog his reward. Try to gradually increase the wait time to five seconds, then ten seconds, then twenty seconds. Work up to a 30-second wait before giving your dog his reward.
3. Use rewards to keep your dog from barking while out for a walk. If your dog tends to bark at strangers when out and about, you can distract him from barking by using special soft treats such as pieces of cooked chicken, pieces of hot dog, or cubes of cheese. Learn to read your dog's body language and try to understand the signs that he is about to bark. This varies from dog to dog, but can include the following: raised neck hairs, raised ears, or a change in the way he walks. When you observe these changes, distract him before he barks.
   • Hold the reward in front of him so he can see it. Instruct him to chew the reward while the unknown person, who might trigger the barking, passes you. You can also have your dog sit down to eat the treat while passers-by pass you.
   • Always compliment your dog and reward him again if he doesn't bark at passers-by.
4. Train your dog to crate when barking at people while driving. Some dogs tend to bark while driving and may be anxious and afraid of strangers on the street or in other cars. When you crate your dog while driving, his vision will be limited and less cause for barking.
   • If your dog is uncomfortable in a crate, you could train your dog to wear a halter in the car. A halter can have a calming effect on your dog. You can also put a halter on your dog while out for a walk or around the house if he tends to bark. However, you should avoid relying entirely on a halter to stop your dog from barking. A more permanent solution to the problem is to teach your dog not to bark at strangers.
5. Take your dog to a professional dog trainer if he continues to bark. If you've tried multiple training techniques and expose your dog to less of any triggers, but he continues to bark at strangers, it would be wise to consult a professional dog trainer for guidance. The trainer can provide you and your dog with one on one training sessions and help you find ways for your dog to stop excessive or unnecessary barking.
   • Search the internet for certified dog trainers in your area.