Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Understanding barking
• Method 2 of 4: Take away rewards for bad behavior
• Method 3 of 4: Reward good behavior
• Method 4 of 4: Teach your dog the "quiet" command
• Tips
• Warnings

A dog's bark is its way of communicating: to you, to other dogs, and to other people. If you're trying to keep your dog from "ever barking," think again! Expecting a dog to never bark is just as unreasonable as expecting a baby to never cry. However, you can prevent nuisance barking by taking a few simple actions. You can reduce barking and improve your relationship with your furry friend by taking away rewards and train your dog to stop barking at your command.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Understanding barking

1. Watch when your dog barks. Dogs have a wide variety of barks and are usually triggered by specific situations. Look for what might be causing the barking behavior when it happens. These are some common reasons dogs bark:
   • Fear / alarm. When dogs are startled or scared they can bark. Nervous dogs tend to bark at an unfamiliar face or sound no matter where they are.
   • Territorial protection. Dogs protect what they see as "their" territory. Practically speaking, this can be anywhere your dog goes with you: your house or yard, the car, or even your "personal space" around your body. Dogs also consider places or routes they frequently travel as their territory, so if you take your dog on the same walk every day, he will likely consider everything along that route as "his territory."
   • Attention. Many dogs will bark when they want attention. This bark can be very short and concentrated. This is especially common if you reward the behavior by responding to the barking.
   • Regards. Dogs bark to say hello. They can bark at other people or other animals. They can also bark because they want to play.
   • Fear. Dogs can bark because of separation anxiety. These dogs can't stand themselves and will bark compulsively when left alone.
   • Frustration. Dogs can bark when they are frustrated. If your dog is stuck, can't get to his favorite toy, or wants to play with the dog next to him, he may bark to indicate frustration with the situation. A dog can also bark when bored.
2. Read your dog's body language. By barking, your dog communicates about his emotional state. Reading your dog's body language can provide clues about how your dog is feeling. For example, if your dog is scared, he may bark with a hunched back. Once you know what's behind the barking, you can keep your dog still. Here are some signs of your dog's different moods:
   • Anxious. When dogs are scared, they shrink themselves to appear less threatening. They bend over, tuck their tails between their legs and press their ears flat against their heads. They may yawn or lick their lips to comfort themselves.
   • Happy. When dogs are happy, their muscles are relaxed. Their mouth corners are loose and this can look like they are smiling. They can pant. Their ears and tail are in the natural positions and the tail can move back and forth or in a circular motion.
   • Alert. Alert dogs when they see that something could be a threat. Their ears are raised and their gaze will be on what they are looking at. Their tail can be upright or laid over the back. The hairs on their shoulders and back can stand up straight.
   • Playful. Dogs that feel playful go in all directions. They are very energetic, with springy movements. They can jump, run in circles or bend to invite you to play. Playful dogs can look like they are smiling.
   • Dominant. Dogs confident in the interaction display assertive body language. They stand very tall, bend their necks and appear slightly tense. Their tails are usually erect and still. They can make eye contact.
   • Aggressive. Dogs who feel confident and aggressive about the situation make themselves appear taller by keeping their tails upright, their ears erect and their heads held high. They can fall out or be ready to jump. Their lips are often retracted to reveal the teeth, although they can sometimes tuck their lips forward. Aggressive dogs who feel defensive combine fearful and confident body language.
3. Listen for the tone of your dog's bark. You can tell a lot about a bark by how it sounds. Studies have shown that humans are quite good at deciphering the general emotion behind the tone of dog barking.
   • Happy barks are usually high. Greeting barking can also contain other sounds, such as whining and growling.
   • Barks for attention are often short and focused.
   • Lower or loud-sounding barks usually indicate fear or alarm.
   • Barking noises from separation anxiety are often shrill. They sound desperate and miserable.
   • Compulsive barking is often monotonous. It sounds repetitive and often involves movement that appears compulsive.

Method 2 of 4: Take away rewards for bad behavior

1. Do not talk to the dog or make hand gestures. These responses reward the dog with attention and should be avoided. Shouting is also ineffective. Instead, ignore the barking completely.
   • Saying "hush" to the dog can backfire.
   • In some cases, a spray bottle of water can be an effective and harmless way to startle your dog from barking. However, some dogs see this as a game rather than a distraction, so you will have to determine if it works for your dog.
2. Take away rewards for barking. Rewarding your dog for behavior you want to eliminate should be avoided as it will only reinforce that behavior. For example, if your dog barks at you for attention and you respond by giving him attention, you just rewarded him for the behavior you want to avoid!
   • Ignore your dog if he barks for attention. This can be difficult, similar to ignoring a crying baby, but to avoid confusion, it is important not to pay attention to him when he asks for it.
   • Do not reward your dog with looking or talking when he asks for attention. Turn your back on him if you can. This indicates that you do not like this behavior. Eventually the dog will calm down.
   • Praise your dog and give it a treat when it stops barking. When he starts to understand the system, he has to remain silent for a longer time before you reward him.
3. Close your dog's mouth. If your dog isn't a biter, it can be helpful to close your dog's mouth when he's barking inappropriately. This is a physical confirmation that you do not approve of the dog's behavior.
   • There are straps and halters that you can use to gently close your mouth while you are out walking.
4. Keep an eye on the environment. If possible, keep your dog away from anything he barks about. Close blinds or curtains if your dog barks at people passing by. Only put your dog in a room when he's barking at guests.
   • Territorial barking can often be addressed by changing what your dog can see. Installing a wooden fence or covering your windows with opaque film (that still lets light through) can help calm a territorial dog.
   • If your dog is startled by unfamiliar noises, buy a white noise machine or run a fan while you are away from home. This can help distract your dog from the other sounds she is hearing.
5. Socialize your dog. If your dog barks when he sees other dogs or people, he may not be getting enough socialization. Model good behavior in the dog park, on walks, and when you are with people. This can help territorial dogs learn not to bark to protect their territory all over.
   • You can also take your dog to the "dog shelter" where he can play with other dogs and learn good dog behavior.

Method 3 of 4: Reward good behavior

1. Make your dog tired. Sometimes dogs bark because they are frustrated or bored. If your dog isn't getting enough exercise, he may bark because he has too much pent-up energy. Give your dog plenty of exercise and play time to reduce barking.
   • If your dog is bored, make sure he has plenty of toys. Games, especially those that involve food or treats, can be a great way to keep your dog busy and happy.
2. Teach your dog other ways to greet people. Happy dogs can bark to greet others. Teaching your dog other ways to greet him will reduce the barking of the problem.
   • Teach your dog to go to a specific place and wait for you to let guests in. Have him sit and stay while you (or a helper) enter through the door. Reward her with attention and treats.
   • You can also train your dog to find special toys at the door when people come by. If he has toys in his mouth, he will be less likely to bark when guests arrive.
   • Train your dog to sit quietly before others can pet him when you are outside. This also reduces the risk of someone getting hurt by an excited dog.
   • Don't reward the barking to greet by paying attention to your dog. Wait for him to settle down before greeting him and giving him attention or treats.
3. Teach your dog other ways to communicate. Dogs often bark to express their needs. If you can train your dog to warn you in other ways, he won't have to bark for everything.
   • For example, ring a bell every time you take your dog outside to associate the two. Train your dog to ring the bell when he needs to go outside.
   • Hit the water or food bowl before filling it. Your dog will learn to associate the two and can tap his bowls when hungry or thirsty.
4. Make your dog less sensitive. If you make your dog less sensitive to anything that makes him bark, you can reduce barking. Start by introducing the stimulus from a distance - far enough away that your dog won't bark at first. For example, if your dog is barking at a neighbor's dog, ask your neighbor to help you.
   • Move the stimulus slightly towards your dog. Reward him and give him a treat to keep quiet.
   • As the stimulus approaches, give your dog a treat. If he barks, stop the treats.
   • When the stimulus disappears, stop feeding your dog.
   • Start small. Let your dog spend a little longer with something or someone that could cause him to bark.
   • Practice until your dog becomes increasingly comfortable. Be patient. Remember, learning new behaviors takes time, practice, and consistency.
5. Distract your dog. If you are distracting your dog, you can reduce barking by giving your dog something else to focus on. Once you distract the dog, give it something else to do, such as get or run a command.
   • You can use a high-frequency whistle or a noise maker to break your dog's concentration when he barks. Use the noise maker when the dog is barking. This will interrupt the dog.
   • You can also make a physical sound that is not verbal, such as clapping or clicking with your fingers. Don't yell, though, as your dog will think you are barking at him.
   • Once you get your dog's attention, ask him to do a task that will keep him from barking. For example, you can give him a command to get a toy, go to his basket, or perform a trick.

Method 4 of 4: Teach your dog the "quiet" command

1. Take your dog to a quiet room. Using a quiet room is the best option for training. If you have your dog's full attention, he can learn new commands.
2. Choose a command to use. Short words that are easy to understand, such as "shh" or "quiet", are helpful. Choose a gesture to reinforce the command, such as raising your finger to your lips or making a fist. Be consistent and use the command and gesture every time.
3. Make the dog bark. It may be counterintuitive, but you have to make your dog bark to teach him to be quiet. You could have someone ring the bell, or you could rattle a toy that will make them bark.
   • Have the dog bark two or three times.
   • Make a sudden gesture to surprise the dog and stop barking.
4. Give the command after the dog is quiet. When training the dog, do not give a command while the dog is barking. Instead, while he is silent, you give a food reward and at the same time give your "Quiet" command.
   • Do not reward the dog until the dog is quiet.
   • Gently closing your dog's mouth while repeating the command can help.
5. Keep practicing. Use the silent command until your dog can be silent when you give a signal. Remember, it may take time for your dog to learn new behaviors, so be patient and consistent!
   • If your dog stops, pause for a moment and then praise him. Give him treats and encourage silence.

Tips

• A bored dog is more likely to bark and misbehave. Make sure your dog has plenty of fun things to do.
• Be patient. It may take time to desensitize a barking dog to the stimulus.
• Exercise as much as you can to improve results.
• If training your dog is problematic, consider hiring a professional trainer.
• Shock collars are not recommended. They don't address the underlying problem behind the barking. Shock collars cause your dog pain and can make her aggressive. Citronella collars are less painful, but they can also go off when another dog barks, meaning your dog is being punished for something she didn't do. Don't use them.

Warnings

• Never hit your dog. This will make him more aggressive.