Excessive Barking
Excessive barking typically occurs in dogs that are left unsupervised for extended periods of time. They bark because they are bored, lonely, or frustrated. Barking is difficult to control because it is a normal and natural behavior for dogs. For many it becomes an enjoyable way to pass the time.
A simple way to help stop barking is to spend more time with your dog and supervise him when he’s outside. Adequate exercise can make a big difference in a dog that barks. A tired dog that has burned off much of his energy is less likely to have the energy to do a lot of barking.
It’s also important to reward your dog with attention and praise when he is lying quietly. Remember, if you pay attention to the dog every time he’s barking, he will quickly figure out that he gets attention every time he’s barking. To your dog even negative attention is better than none!
Teaching your dog the “quiet” command can also be effective. After the first couple of woofs, tell him “quiet.” If he quiets down for a few seconds, praise him. Gradually increase the length of quiet time. You should be able to get to one to two minutes of quiet time in the first training session. If he barks during the quiet time, immediately give him a correction. A correction can be a gentle tug on the collar and a repeat of the quiet command, in a deep, no-nonsense tone of voice. Often, owners complain that their dog can’t hear the initial command over the barking. In these cases, you should give the “QUIET!” command in a very loud, surprising voice. If the dog ceases barking for even a brief moment, give PRAISE just as enthusiastically. It’s very important to be consistent in this training. The dog must always be given the command QUIET after the first couple of barks and then MUST be given a correction or praise following his response.
There are also many anti-barking training tools out on the market. These should be used only under the supervision of an experienced trainer as they can harm the dog if used improperly.
