How to Stop Dog From Barking

Barking is a natural conduct that puppies do for specific motives and the key to stopping it is to recognize the reasons your dog is barking. It is common for noisy dogs to express their feelings but is frustrating and alarming for underlying behavioral issues. 

One of the most basic reasons is to communicate. They might bark to alert you to something unusual, like a noise outside or someone at the door. Here are some reasons why dogs bark, including when they are:

• To make pet parents aware that someone or something unknown is approaching near. 
• When greeting other people or other pets. 
• Due to the excitement during play or other fun activities they enjoy.
• To seek your attention when they need food, water, attention, to be let out, or to play.
• Due to separation, isolation, and confinement anxiety
• Protecting their possessions or property 
• Warn or defend against a perceived threat or danger coming towards
• When they become frustrated and can't access what they want fast enough. 
• When they are surprised.
• They sometimes bark often accompanied by repetitive movements, like sprinting around a room or yard. 

Removing your furry friend from the triggering area works best for immediate solutions, and short-term barking, such as greetings or alarm barking. By removing your dog, you prevent them from associating barking with getting a reaction, like seeing someone outside.

Neighbors with barking dogs can also act as a trigger for your puppies.

Sometimes the best way to respond to barking involves removing your dog from the triggering situation. If there is a landscaping crew, working in your neighbor's yard, for instance, you might settle your dog with toys, chews, blankets, and their favorite things in another part of the house, where they don't have any stranger's view, from where they wouldn't get chance to bark continuously. 

If you believe your dog barks simply to get your attention, try to ignore them. This works best for dogs who have their needs met and are bored or seeking attention. Regular exercise and the use of puzzle toys can keep your dog occupied during a work call or when you are watching television. 

Ignoring barking may be handy for certain barking types such as attention-seeking bark. When your dog asks for attention, reacting to the barking can teach them this method works. Instead, try turning around, looking away, and generally not reacting to send the message that you won't respond until they are silent. Once they understand that barking doesn't get them what they want, they may stop. 

You can offer homemade dog treats or their favorite toys to distract your dog so they won't bark. Keeping them treated by the door so you can easily scatter and distract your dog when the doorbell rings can help you silence your dog as they focus on treats rather than the bell sound. 

Also, showing your dog a treat or toy they want to have while someone passes by the window or knocks on the door can make them stop barking. It would help if you practiced intercepting your dog before they started barking to stop them. This works best because the treat or toy pulls their attention back to you and becomes a reward for their calm behavior. 

You may feel tempted to follow your dog and find out what they need, but it can lead to a habit of your dog barking to get what they want. 

Instead, wait until your dog is quiet and then suggest an "outside" or "walk", helping them connect by getting what they get as a reward for their quiet behavior. And remember, punishing a dog for barking loudly to get their wants never helps, and may lead to more problematic behaviors. Also, if you raise your voice, your dog may just interpret this as something exciting.

A quiet zone can be any spot away from common barking zones, like front windows and doors. Their quiet place can act as a haven away from barking triggers like the front door, windows, or street noises, reducing exposure to things that can set them off. 

A crate decked out with a comfy bed and crate cover, or a gate to keep them in the room. It should be comfortable and calming, with familiar bedding and calming aids like music or pheromones. Also, when your dog retreats to their quiet zone, their attention shifts away from external stimuli, thus preventing it from barking. 

Dogs who experience separation anxiety may bark excessively when you leave the house, leaving them alone. It is crucial to address these barking types, to ease your dog's anxiety, and help keep your neighbors from complaining when you are not around. 

They may turn to this behavior when left alone, easing their separation anxiety, not just for barking, but also for their emotional health. Make sure to make a scheduled routine before you go so that your dog follows and gets used to living without reacting to your departure. 

Here is how you can stop your dog's barking who suffers from separation anxiety:

• Take your dog on a lengthy walk for at least 45 minutes to an hour, which helps reduce barking.
• Visit during the day. If this is impossible, consider hiring a dog sitter or doggie daycare. 
• Tempt them with a delicious array of chews and toys to prevent boredom.
• Make the environment comfortable and relaxing by keeping quiet and soothing music before leaving for the day. 
• Provide efficient time for your dog after you return home from work so that they won't feel left over. 

Blocking their view works best for alarm barking dogs, stranger reactivity, and dogs who fixate while window-watching. When dogs hear something that grabs their attention, they start to bark. Thats why, many dogs bark at the living room window or along the fence. You can do a lot to stop window and yard barking by blocking their view of potential barking triggers. 

You can use a private plastic fence over the existing fence so that their views get blocked for watching strangers crossing the roads. Also, keeping their windows and curtains closed or making your window opaque can prevent dogs from seeing outside so that they won't bark. 

Training your dog by introducing commands also helps prevent excessive barking, especially if your dog often barks due to frustration or to seek attention. 

Here are some of these commands you can imply:

1. Recall

You can use this command to call your pup away from barking triggers, like ringing the doorbell or a dog outside. 

2. Speak

Train your dog to bark on command so that it can help teach them not to bark at other times, especially when paired with "Quiet."

3. Quiet 

This command will help your dog "calm down" on cue. Reward "quiet" right away after using "speak."

4. Sit And Stay 

These commands can help keep your dog occupied when a barking trigger is nearby. If your dog barks while on the leash, have them practice sitting and staying and reward them for calm and quiet behavior. 

5. Show me

Use objects to teach this command. It can take some time and patience to teach your dog but can help if they bark out of nervousness when approaching certain things. The main target is for your pup to get closer to the object and look back at you. Then, you can reward them with treats and praise. 

If your dog barks at specific triggers, gradually get your dog accustomed to whatever is causing them to bark. You can desensitize them to various sounds regarding alarm barking, territorial barking, and fear and anxiety. 

A tired dog is less likely to bark, providing them with enough daily dog exercise appropriate for their breed and age. Also, physical activities can help reduce pent-up energy and promote calmness.

Make sure your dog is getting sufficient physical and mental exercise every day. A tired dog won't bark from boredom or frustration. Depending on their age and health, your dog may need several long walks, playtime, and mental stimulation activities like obedience training or puzzle feeders to tire out their mind and the body.

Consistency in daily routines can indeed help reduce barking in dogs. They usually thrive on routine and predictability. When their daily schedule is consistent, they learn when certain activities occur such as walks, meals, and playtime. This structured environment reduces anxiety and frustration, which are common triggering activities. 

Further adding to that, if your dog barks excessively when visitors arrive, consistent training and redirection techniques can help modify this behavior. If you respond differently each time, it will confuse them and prolong the training process. 

A dog with unmet needs like insufficient exercise, lack of mental stimulation, or hunger is more likely to bark out boredom or frustration. Fulling those needs helps you address the root cause of barking behavior. 

When their basic needs are met, they can communicate their wants and needs through calmer signals, reducing the reliance on barking. Also, accomplishing their needs strengthens your relationship. A dog who feels loved, cared for, and understood is active in training and less likely to bark. Also, ensure your dog has frequent opportunities to relieve themselves to avoid barking due to discomfort.

You should never use punishment for dog barking which includes:

• yelling or making loud noises
• throwing objects
• Spraying water on your dog
• Use anti-barking devices, such as citronella spraying collars or shock collars.

Scaring or threatening a dog may temporarily interrupt the barking behavior, but in the long run can make the issues worse. Using aversive stimulation may cause aggression and phobias, leading to high-stress levels and blocking your dog's learning ability. Sometimes, shouting also triggers them to show their defensively aggressive behaviors directed at you. 

If you consider your dog to be barking reactively at strangers, a circle of relative individuals, or different dogs, reach out to a licensed professional dog instructor for help. 

A teacher can determine your domestic dog's behavior and environment to pick out the precise cause causing the barking. Addressing the root purpose is essential for a powerful solution to the barking problem.

Try to avoid leaving them alone if they are scared of being alone. It will cause them anxiety or separation and start to bark until you reach home. The reason for being afraid needs to be addressed and should be solved to restrict their aggressive barking behavior. Also, they may need further assistance from a behaviorist to find out exactly what they are scared of and help them change the way they feel.