Removing A Dog’s Noisy Barking Behaviour

Excessive barking is the plague of dog owners everywhere. It is in a dog’s genes to start barking in certain situations, different types of dog are more inclined to bark than others. It’s a sad fact of life that dog kennels and rehoming centres are filled with dogs because of barking behaviors.

Stopping bad barking behaviors is actually quite easy to accomplish. Make sure that you understand that dogs bark and you cannot and should not aim to stop the barking altogether. This is a perfectly normal behavioral trait. If you never want to hear a dog bark, then another pet would be a better fit for you. Its natural behavior in many circumstances such as being afraid, concerned, alienated for dogs to bark. Do not go out of your way to prevent these traits.

Some owners attempt this through the use of shock or spray collars. Devices such as t. They deliver an electric shock each time the dog barks. While the manufacturers will tell you that the shock is comparable to that of a static spark that you’d get from walking across carpet and touching a metal surface, this is not true. Collars such as these do fail, they do have faults and can end up shocking your dog without the dog doing anything whatsover.

A much more effective way to stop bad barking behaviors is through simple distraction. For example, if your dog continuously barks at an unfamiliar person who you’ve invited into your home, tell them “no” in a firm tone of voice, then offer them a distraction, such as a toy, to divert their attention. Avoid shouting at or hitting your dog for barking. This can be very confusing for them. Consistency is key. At every occurrence of your dog barking when you do not want it to you should give the same reprimand following by the same distraction.

Praise them when they play with their toy instead of barking, in a light and excited tone of voice. Your dog will start to recognise what is required of it and will naturally be quiet whilst waiting for you to reward them as all dogs want to please. Continue on with the reward and reprimand until your dog forms a habit of knowing when barking is acceptable and when you do not want it.