Dogs are our loyal and sincere friends. We do all that we can to give them a happy and healthy life. However, sometimes our dogs become weird and noisy. They start barking the whole time and start annoying your family and neighbors. So be ready to train your dog not to bark.
Why Do Even Dogs Bark?
Well, barking is how dogs communicate. They can bark when calling out to other dogs, expressing emotions, or trying to grab their owners’ attention. Generally, any noise can stimulate a barking response. Moreover, genetics can play a significant role in your dogs’ barking. Some breeds are more likely to bark Beagles and Terriers.
The Reasons for Problem Barking:
There is no specific cause for barking problems. The reasons for it may vary from dogs trying to get their owners’ attention, to those attempting to keep scary things away. Bear in mind that some barks can be territorial bark. Others may be excited barking that has elements of frustration barking.
– The following will list the most popular reasons for barking:
- Seeking attention: Your dogs may start barking without stopping to simply get the attention they need. Be it food toys, or the demand for outdoor activities.
- Territorial: Responding to someone or something that interferes with the dogs’ private territory.
- Play Barking: Having fun and feeling excited can lead to constant barking.
- Alarm: Responding to a sudden, unexpected move or noise.
- Frustration: Barking to show powerlessness and helplessness, like when your dogs can’t reach their toys.
- Boredom: To stay busy, dogs start to bark and make noise.
- Fear: When your dogs feel scared, they start barking to keep danger away.
- Excitement: Arises by the eagerness for activities such as mealtime, going outdoors, or going for a ride in the car.
- Separation Intolerance: Short frustration barking can be a sign of discomfort and annoyance of being alone.
How To Train Your Dog Not To Bark:
Given the fact that there are several reasons for barking, it is impossible to find a “fit for all” technique that you have to follow. Though, there are a few management solutions and training recommendations that you may use. Each one of them needs ongoing practice.
1. Hinder Your Dogs’ Views
It is considered to be a management solution that can help when dealing with alarm barkers and territorial barkers. Whenever your dogs react to an activity that takes place outside, try to change their position of view. It is beneficial to place the curtains during high-traffic times. You can also place the window film a few inches above, then progressively lower it down before removing it for good.
2. Train a Dog Not to Bark by Giving it Busy Toys
You can try this management solution with attention seekers, boredom barkers, and separation intolerance barkers. This strategy can help with all the mentioned barkers. All you have to do is to keep providing your dogs with this kind of toy. Also, you need to buy new ones so that they will be busy trying to explore them.
3. Use a White Noise Machine
This is another management solution. That can be applied to alarm and territorial barkers. Several people have used a white noise machine and they get an immediate outcome. Their dogs stop barking instantly!
4. Train a Dog Not to Bark By Considering a Pheromone-based Treatment
It is a management solution that will be helpful for fear barkers and separation distress barkers. The plug-in diffusers are provided by female dogs. It can help greatly in calming dogs who bark because of stress. Diffusers are a simple way to make your dogs feel safer and more secure.
5. Teach Your Dog To Stay Silent
This one is a training solution that can have positive results while dealing with territorial barkers, alarm barkers as well as excitement and play barkers. The process has to start like the following: while your dogs are loudly barking, approach them with a treat in your fist and place your hand in front of their nose By doing so, they will smell the treat but cannot get it. Your dogs will stop barking for a while to smell the goodies. Once quiet, try to say “ hush”. Then throw the treat a few steps away from them. It is better to repeat the process until you need just to say “hush” without placing your hand in front of your nose.
6. Ignore the Barking
Another management and training solution that works for attention seekers, is play barking, excitement barking, and frustration barking. Dogs usually bark to get your attention. That is, getting a reaction from you is what your dogs want when they start barking. Whether they want you to feed them or play with them it is the same purpose.
You can train your dogs that barking, indeed, does not work. Start doing the opposite of what your dogs want you to do. If, for example, want you to play with them using a ball, throw the ball to the ground, turn away and leave. Wait until they stop, then give them what they wish. If you neglect your dogs’ barking over and over, they will understand that barking will not help them to grab your attention, but silence does.
7. Add Some Exercises
Management and training solution that works for all dogs. It is widely known that every dog needs exercise for its mental and physical well-being. Dogs who practice some exercises will not over-bark. They are not going to feel bored or need to seek your attention. Remember, tired dogs have quit dogs.
8. Train a Dog Not to Bark By Paying off the Absence of Barking
As pet parents, we tend to correct the bad behavior and forget to praise the good, especially in silence. If your dogs hear a noise outside and choose to look at you instead of barking, give them a treat. Show how satisfied you are with this behavior and acknowledge it.
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Last Words
Understanding the reasons behind the barking of your dogs is highly important to choose the right technique that you should follow to solve the problem. Bear in mind that the longer you apply the above techniques, the greater the outcomes will be.
