Understanding and Training your Dog’s Barking Behavior

June 9th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Dog and barking are a natural behavior. It’s instinctive. But, many owners become frustrated when their dogs won’t stop barking. Understanding why your dog barks will help in your training it to curb that behavior. Dogs usually bark as a warning to others. They may be warning you or another animal. Unfortunately, dogs often don’t receive the assurance that their warning has been understood. So, they continue barking. Below, we’ll show you how you can train your dog to stop barking excessively.

Consistent Reactions

Develop a consistent routine when your dog barks. If you’ve acknowledged the reason for its barking, communicate that. Say, “good dog” or something similar. This is an acknowledgement to your dog that you understand their warning. It knows that its job has been fulfilled. At times, dog owners do not communicate that to their pets. Because of this, the dog is not awear they they should cease. You can teach your dog to stop barking by saying the same thing each time (“good dog”).

Sometimes, dogs bark because they’re lonely or bored. Again, consistency is the solution. Show your dog that you won’t tolerate unnecessary barking. Make sure not to show your dog mixed signals. If it’s lonely or bored, spend time with your dog. Help it get some exercise so it exhausts some of its energy. The key is to be consistent in your reactions to your dog’s barking.

Role-Playing

A lot of owners have unwittingly trained their dogs to bark when they leave the house. The dog experiences feelings of abandonment. Pretend you’re leaving your home. Tell your dog “watch the house.” Then, leave your house in a way that your dog clearly sees. If they start to bark, quickly re-enter the house and give a short command “No”!” Over time, your dog will learn that you consider its barking when you leave unacceptable behavior. Your dog will abide by your wishes.

Enjoying The Peace

Excessive barking from dogs is very frustrating to most dog owners. Unfortunately, many owners simply throw up their hands in desperation without taking action. Training your dog to stop barking is a simple matter of showing it consistent behavior. Take the time to train your dog. The investment will help you enjoy peace in the future. Remember to treat your dog for good  behavior, a odor free bully stick or other dog treat is a nice and comforting reward.

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