How to Stop a Dog from Barking

Probably the best way to understand how to stop a dog from barking is to understand why a dog barks in the first place. Typically the answer is that have been taught and encouraged by, yes, the owner.

When a puppy barks, we think it’s cute and most likely many of us praise the little fella. As they get older and the dog barking continues or becomes excessive we don’t understand why he/she continues to bellow, whine, or bark. Bottom line, my best dog training advice in how to stop dogs from barking is to not teach them to bark in the first place.

Beyond that, to stop dog barking we need to gently change the pattern and motivation of our friend.

So how do we do that? A couple of ways.

Dogs Love attention and sometimes the dogs barking is a result of wanting to get that attention. Sometimes it’s a good thing. If we have an intruder in the back yard we definitely want to hear our dog bark. So we don’t want to completely stop those necessary dog barking sounds. What we want to do is control them.

First: When you want to stop barking dogs then get their attention. Once it gets to a point the dog barking is excessive say to the dog in a firm but not yelling manner “Enough” and then give them something else to focus on. I use a toy; a chew toy or a ball to throw so he will chase it. This usually does the trick. Give them something else to do to take their focus off the dog barking sounds they are producing.

If a chew toy or a ball doesn’t work, a food treat will for sure. Now the key here is to praise the dog when he or she has changed the focus from dog barking to the other activity. Pat them on the head, pet them, etc. This will give them the understanding they have done a good thing and will reinforce the “want” for the attention next time you say “Enough”.

In my study of how to stop dog barking I also found and personally discovered yelling at the dog is completely counter productive. As a matter of fact it usually backfires. I noticed in my dog Charlie when I would yell at him I got the impression he thought I was “joining in” with him and he would bark even more. What a great dog he is.

He has taught me a lot in how to stop a dog from barking.

Second: If your Pup is stubborn and can’t seem to tear himself/herself away from their own dog bark, buy a squirt bottle and fill it with water. When he gets excessive in enjoying his own dog barking sounds squirt him a couple of times to get his focus off the situation. Once he backs off a little bit, then give him a food treat and praise him for “backing off”.

A dogs barking is a good thing that can be very helpful, even sometimes saving us from danger. But also, when excessive, it can be annoying. We don’t want to drive them to fear us and never bark or bark because they want attention we aren’t giving them. We need to understand them and just take the focus off the situation at hand by providing an outlet for them to focus on.

I Love our Dogs and sometimes I have had to use the “give the dog a treat to get them to stop barking” technique, but not very often. They have all learned not to bark excessively and what the term “Enough” means. I hope you have enjoyed this article on how to stop a dog from barking.

My Best to You and Your Pup