Stop Your Dog From Barking When Inappropriate

Teaching your dog not to bark can be one of the hardest things you attempt in training your new pet. Barking is a natural thing for dogs, and we complicate the problem because sometimes we want them to bark, and sometimes we want them to stop on command. If you think you will read this article and be prepared with the tools needed to train your dog in a few easy steps, you may be disappointed. Different things work for different dogs, and you may have to try more than one tip to be successful. There are ways to teach your dog to bark only when it is appropriate Here are some of those training tips.

Tips to Use While you are With Your Dog

1) One of the simplest tips, especially when your dog is a puppy, is to simply close your hand around his muzzle when he barks and say 搎uiet? 搒top barking?or whatever phrase you choose. This will need to be consistently repeated, but it often teaches the puppy not to bark, and eventually just saying 搎uiet?should stop the barking.

2) Use distraction to stop the barking. Every time your dog barks, do something to distract him, such as slapping your hand on the table, or clapping loudly and saying 搎uiet? The distraction should stop the barking and again, if repeated consistently, eventually your dog should learn to stop barking when you firmly say 搎uiet?

3) Some people use a small cup of water or a spray bottle, and as soon as their dog barks, they say 搎uiet?and throw the water in their face, then walk away. This is said to be one of the quickest ways to get the point across to your dog, but many feel it is not an appropriate procedure to use.

4) Don抰 ever give your dog attention or reward them when they bark. For example, if they bark when they want to come into the house, or want a treat, NEVER reward the bark by following through with the action they are requesting. Wait until they are quiet to let them in, or to give them a treat.

5) Treats can be used to help teach your dog to stop barking on command. When they bark, place a treat where they can smell it and say 搎uiet? They can抰 bark and smell at the same time. Hold for a couple of seconds and then give the treat to them and praise them. After a while, hold the treat for five seconds, then praise them and give them the treat. You may also want to combine the distraction tip, if your dog continues to bark before the waiting period is up. If they bark too soon, wrap the table and firmly say 搎uiet? and hold the treat under their nose. Gradually extend the time you wait before giving them the treat and eventually they will understand what 搎uiet?means.

Tips to Use when you Have to Leave Your Dog Alone

1) Some dogs bark out of boredom. If you find they are barking when you are at work everyday, you need to find a solution. Walk or run your dog each morning to tire them out. Get them some good chew toys or play toys to leave in their area while you are gone. Make sure they have a comfortable place to relax with water and food. These tips may help them be calm while alone.

2) If your dog barks because they don抰 want to be alone you will need to teach them that it is not a big deal to be left alone for long periods of time. Start by leaving the room or their area for short periods of time. Don抰 say anything to them, just leave the room. When you come back into the room, don抰 even acknowledge your dog. Just go on as if nothing has happened. Slowly extend the time you are separated. When you leave for work, don抰 say goodbye or make a fuss. When you return from work, don抰 acknowledge your pet, just go on with your routine. When your dog realizes it is no big deal to be left alone, it may keep them from barking.

3) If your dog is in an area where they may become frustrated by people out the window, on the other side of the fence, or just beyond their reach, they may need to be kept in a crate while alone. Dogs often bark when they sense people close but can抰 tell who are exactly where the person is. If they are kept in a crate in a quiet part of the home or yard, this may keep them from barking when alone. Make sure your dog is comfortable being crated before leaving them for an extended period of time.

4) A couple of products on the market that are used to stop barking are the shock collar and the citronella collar. Many people feel that the shock collar is inhumane. Unless you try on the collar, how do you know how strong the shock is, or even if it can be felt through the thick fur of your pet. The citronella anti bark collar sprays a mist of citronella scent in front of the nose when your dog barks. The spraying sound startles the dog and dogs don抰 like the smell of citronella. Many think these are more humane and they work well with most dogs.

There are many tips and tricks to help you dog understand when you want them to be quiet. The main trick to stopping unwanted barking is to find out what is causing your dog to bark, and then training them to cope with the situation and learn to obey your command to be quiet. Having enough play time and exercise should help with any cause of barking, so be sure to include these in your routine. With a little trial and error and patience and consistency you should be able to help your dog understand when it is appropriate to bark and when he needs to obey your command to be 搎uiet?