How To Stop A Barking Dog

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How To Stop A Barking Dog - Tips and Advice You Can Use

To learn how to stop a barking dog requires you to take a few well-defined steps. For a dog, barking is the main way it can communicate its needs or concerns to us, so not all barking is bad. Positive reinforcement for good behaviour, including not barking, is the way forward.

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons including boredom, loneliness, stress, fear or the need for attention. They also use their bark to warn or alert you of perceived danger. There again, they might just be trying to get your attention.

Sometimes your dog's barking can become so excessive that it results in annoying your neighbours, as well as you. If you are out at work all day you may not even be aware of your dog's barking, until you are approached by your angry neighbor.

Changing dog behaviour is an on-going process and with patience and perseverance, it can be achieved.

Tips on How To Stop A Barking Dog

A few suggestions you can try out with your dog

1. When your dog does bark, please don't shout at it, whatever the cause of it's barking is, you don't even need to say "No". If you do shout at your dog, it will hear your shouting and interpret it as barking, causing it to bark even more. Ignore the barking and turn your back on your dog. Once it stops, praise and reward it for being quiet.

2. Is your dog getting enough exercise? Most dogs need to go for a walk at least once a day, obviously depending on their size and breed. It gives your dog the opportunity to socialise and helps keep it happy and fit.

3. Dogs often bark simply because they are bored or receiving very little attention. Dogs do need a certain amount of attention and if you make sure you dedicate time to spend with your dog, and supply a range of toys for them to play with, they are likely to be much happier and less inclined to bark.

4. Is your dog hungry, thirsty, needs to go to the toilet? Check all these things and see if any of them are causing your dog to ask for your attention to put matters right.

5. Dogs are very territorial and will bark to warn you that someone or something is close to, or on your property. This is not a bad thing and you should acknowledge the message your dog is trying to tell you.

Consistency is the Key Learning How to Stop A Dog Barking

Don't give your dog mixed messages

It is very important that you, and other family members, are totally consistent when dealing with your dog's barking.

As with all aspects of dog training, being consistent is very important. Dogs are pack animals and are most comfortable and best-behaved when they know you are in charge. A dog has to respect your leadership to be happy, well-adjusted and well-behaved. Remember a good dog is not necessarily a quiet dog. Through clear direction from you your dog will learn when it is and is not appropriate to bark.

Does Your Dog Bark For No Apparent Reason?

They could be a bundle of pent up energy

If you find your dog is barking for no apparent reason, it could well be because they have too much energy building up inside of them. This could be due to a lack of exercise and most dogs tend to be happy and healthy with around 90 minutes of exercise per day.

If you work full-time, have a young family or do not have a lot of mobility yourself, it is probably unrealistic to expect to be able to have 90 minutes available each day to exercise your dog. A minimum of at least half an hour is better than nothing but if you really can't manage even this amount of time for your dog, per day, then maybe a dog walker would be a good alternative.

If you would like a FREE 6 day training course for you and your dog, please visit the link below.

Do You Have Any Tips on How To Stop A Dog Barking

What has, or hasn't worked for you and your dog - let us know

How To Stop A Barking Dog

Learn how you can stop your dog barking

Do you need to know how to stop a barking dog? Within my articles you will find tips and advice to help the most persistent of barking dogs learn when to and when not to bark.
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