Of all the bad behaviors of dogs, how to prevent dog barking has to be one of the most frustrating issues to solve.

Thinking about this…

If your dog has a problem with his barking, it is unlikely that you will be able to control his barking. This can lead to his screeching that keeps you up at night, his barking interrupting your favorite TV shows or even his useless barking that wakes young children up from naps during the day.

Barking is also scary for some people who are not familiar with dogs. And your dog’s constant barking can frighten friends and family who come to visit you at home. This is not fun for anyone.

Or worse… If your dog keeps barking constantly every day and you live next door to other people, your neighbors will probably call the police to make a noise.

It’s heartbreaking, but noise is a huge reason to take dogs out of their loving homes.

Barking can be a huge problem and a  huge frustration for the dog owners I work with

But here’s the good news. No problem with barking, no matter how big or small, it can be fixed!

Today, I will give you some valuable tips, tools, and resources that you can use to stop unwanted dog barking behavior starting today.

Let’s start with the basics…

Find out the easiest way to stop barking without hurting your dog or puppy

First of all, we need to determine why your dog is barking, because the solution we use depending on your dog’s barking problem will not always be the same.

After all, you’d never use the same approach to stop a kid from yelling for help while the kid yells at you for more chocolate, right?

You see, the reason  your dog barks is because he is unhappy with something.

Why not be happy?

Now, I will share with you the four most common reasons why dogs and puppies bark.

It’s not an exhaustive list, but most dogs and puppies fall into one of these categories. Once you’ve decided which best describes your dog, take a look at a plan of action to end it once and for all.

It sounds like a plan?

I should add here that many years ago (when I was new to dog training), I thought barking could be treated the same way. I’m a few years older and wiser now, and I’m seeing the wrong way.

I realized that it is much easier to stop barking if you first understand exactly why your dog is barking. Then apply the appropriate solution. This makes sense, right?

So here are the main reasons why your dog will bark and how you can start doing better things for yourself and your dog.

1. Barking because your dog wants something

This type of barking occurs when your dog wants something, like an annoying baby.

She is not happy and she tells you so. So, she might want to go in, take her out of the box, get some food, or just want to get your attention.

Has your dog asked you to hurry up to dinner? yes? Well, this is what I’m talking about.

How does that fit?

Don’t reward bad behavior.

The key here is that you shouldn’t reward any bad behavior. For example, if your dog barks outside to get in, don’t let him in (I know this is tempting and you don’t want to bother your neighbors). If you reward her with what she wants, it will happen over and over again.

Think of it as short term pain for long term gain!

Wait and ignore the dog until he calms down, then open the door. You will receive the message very soon.

Imagine a child yelling at you to do something… would you just give in to him? No… I hope you wait until you calm down. It’s the same approach.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Well, that won’t work in our little Rover, because it never gives up,” there are plenty of other tips and tricks that will convince even most barking dogs to be silent, which I added at the end.)

2. Barking because your dog thinks he is in danger

This type of barking can occur indoors or outdoors.

However, to keep things simple, let’s imagine it’s on the inside. Your dog hears a noise and jumps, then runs toward the window and starts barking at people outside your house.

Of course, your dog might bark at other dogs, a sound he heard, or something as small as a bird in a tree.

Whatever the case, imagine that your dog does not need to respond with a bark.

And what we want to communicate to our dogs is … “We don’t need to bark.”

But first, let’s see where everything goes wrong! Now, what usually happens here is:

Your dog is barking …

You shout something at him (in a very confident way) … only to find that your dog is barking louder and everything is starting to escalate!

Eventually, you end up screaming and the dog barking at you: “Bark as hard as I can!”

do you look familiar

How to resolve this issue …

Stay calm and check.

What happens is that your dog reflects your energy. So instead of weaning your dog, let’s calm him down.

When he barks, he says something like “thank you” in a very gentle voice (as if whispering in someone’s ear).

Then, if he continues to bark, go look out the window and say “thank you” again very calmly before you leave. (Now I know this may sound weird, but it makes perfect sense for your dog, I promise!)

What you just did was check for danger (even if it’s just a bird in a tree) and calmly communicate with it using body language, tone of voice, and energy so you don’t have to worry. .

If he continues to bark after doing this, you can take him out very quietly for a few minutes.

Of course, with all the dog training, the more your dog watches you, the better! (something I will explain a little later). So, if your dog is not paying attention, we need to take a few steps back and focus his attention first!

3. Bark when your dog is left alone

This type of barking is what is commonly known as “separation anxiety barking” because your dog becomes anxious after a separation.

I should add here that  this stress is not only caused by barking, but can also be manifested by destructive behavior, chewing, wounds, running and excessive digging.

The good news is that the next approach will eliminate the cause of the problem and with it the stress. So all these problems will go away.

Now, I have to point out that this barking is not a “naughty behavior” as many people think and has nothing to do with boredom, which is why using a shock collar to try to stop this behavior is such an idea. of cruel. Let me explain.

Imagine you were sitting at home caring for your little one and suddenly you noticed the baby on the street! what would you do?

Of course, you’ll throw yourself in and take her out.

But … what if the doors are locked and you can’t get out?

Wait, relax and have a cup of tea? of course not. You screamed for help and called the baby back or tried to free yourself so he could get back in.

This is why your dog is stressed.

You see, when our dogs think they are responsible, responsible for our care, they automatically become nervous when you leave. That’s why it only happens when you’re not there.

Here’s what to do …

Be the leader of the group.

Now, in this case, I want to give you a general idea of ​​what to do and what not to do.

The main thing is to realize that the barking of your dog or puppy has nothing to do with boredom! This means that trying to keep the dog busy, leaving out the bones and a lot of chewing and stuffed toys with peanut butter is unlikely to succeed.

In fact, it can make the situation worse, so make sure you eat.

Indeed, if the problem is solved, everyone will say, “Hey, your dog is barking, put a bone down!”

Instead, focus on giving your dog the message that you are the leader of the pack and that you don’t have to worry about where you are.

Now, one way to do this is to leave your home in peace and then come home in peace and ignore your dog. (I know this may sound a little harsh to some of you and it may not be what you want to do, but this tip is about doing what is best for your dog and how to stop barking!)

Also, remember that they are animals, just as ignoring a cat or a goldfish when you enter the house will not upset the dog.

In fact, this is one of the main ways you can help your dog relax when you are not there.

It sends a message to your dog that you are responsible, not him, and as I explained above, this will help him stop worrying about you when you are not around. When you are ready, you can always call your dog to you, in your conditions, for love and hug.

Now, of course, there is much more to becoming a group leader. It is an essential key to having a happy and obedient dog, which I will touch later.

4. Excessive bark

The fourth type of barking is excessive barking.

The best way to think about this is to imagine some children playing. When children start having fun, they get excited, start screaming, and then start screaming with excitement.

They’re not naughty, but they can be really annoying, which is definitely something you want to keep.

Now, of course, with children, yelling at them doesn’t work! And … the same with dogs.

If the barking starts to get out of hand as they race through the park playing, here’s what to do …

Use calm procedures.

First you have to intervene and control them calmly, without saying a word, then show calm energy by making a quiet freeze.

Here’s how it works …

Calm frost:

1. Come on.
2. Take your dog by the collar using a fist under the chin and palms up.
3. Don’t say anything, look away and breathe deeply and slowly.
4. Hold it for a few seconds until it calms down.
5. Then edit stop commenting …
6. It will be quieter.