5 Ways to Stop Your Dog Barking

Whether you have adopted a sweet little puppy or you have decided to share your home with an older dog, you will find that there is a lot of fun ahead of you, but you will also notice that there are many different challenges that you need to face as well! Many people are concerned when their dog starts barking and if you want to enjoy peace in your home and your neighborhood as well as calming down your dog, there are definitely steps that you need to take. Take a moment and consider what choices you have when you want to make sure that your dog quits barking!

Identify the Cause of the Barking

Sometimes, there are specific things that can set your dog off. For instance, some dogs only bark when they see other dogs, even when the other dogs are a few yards away. Similarly, other dogs will bark when they see people that they do not know. If you can figure out why your dog is barking, you can prevent them from doing so by removing the stimulus. This might be as simple as bringing your dog to the backyard when you know that the mail is going to be delivered or keeping your dog inside instead of outside. Remember that dogs always bark for a reason, even if it does not seem that way at first to you, so find out what is going on!

Spend More Time with Your Dog

Another reason that your dog might be barking a lot is loneliness. Dogs are very much pack animals, and as we have domesticated them, they have come to see their human family as their pack. When you think about wolves in the wild, which hunt and live in packs, it makes perfect sense that when they happen to be on their own, they are going to be frustrated, frightened and ill at ease. With that in mind, take a moment to consider spending more time with your dog. If you leave him at home all day, why not come home during your lunch break to see him and to pass some time with him? This can make a lot of difference.

Exercise

Remember that dogs do need exercise, especially when you are dealing with a larger, working breed. The amount of exercise does depend on the breed of the dog and the dog's personality, but one reason why your dog might bark is because he is feeling pent up. Take your dog for some quick, brisk exercise, either by taking him on a run or by throwing a stick for him over and over again. This can help him wear off some of his energy and it can also keep him feeling healthier. You also want to make sure that he has plenty of toys to play with when you are gone. Some dogs are very bright and will bark when they have nothing to do, so take some time and consider how toys can help.

Crating

As we mentioned above, barking very well might be a reaction from feeling nervous or lonely. When your dog is feeling upset, of course he will call for his pack. What you might be able to do is to let him feel secure in other ways. Many people have had great results from crating their dogs. When dogs are used to a crate, they see it as being their own personal cave. This can help them feel calm and at home when you are not there, and it will also make them feel safer. Crating can also keep your dog out of trouble when you are not at home.

Ignore Him

This doesn't mean ignore him when he is barking. Saying good bye and petting your dog before you leave can make him anxious and over-excited, so start ignoring your dog ten minutes before you head out the door. This can help calm your dog down and then he won't be in an agitated frenzy before you leave. This can be a good way to get an excited puppy to calm down and to adjust to quiet before he is left completely on his own. Having your dog calm and collected before you walk out of the home can be very helpful when you want to keep him from barking.