The Do’s and Don’ts of Training a Barking Dog 8

The Do’s and Don’ts of Training a Barking Dog

If you’re like me, you’ve had that little puppy that likes to bark at it’s shadow.  Having a dog is an absolute joy, but it isn’t always easy. It’s normal for dogs to bark as a form of communication. However, overly vocal dogs can be problematic for you and your neighbors. Excessive barking is a behavior that can be corrected. Learning a few dos and don’ts can help you work through the disruptive noise.  I know we have some neighbors with barking dogs, that might benefit from some of these ideas.  Do you know someone that has a dog that could use some advice?  Share this with them, and let them know that most of us have been there before.  Be sure to leave a comment about your dog, and any tricks that helped you in any part of it’s life. 🙂

The Do's and Don'ts of Training a Barking Dog! Do you or someone you know have a dog that likes to bark at nothing? Follow these tips to see how you can train your pooch! #Barking #Dog #Pets #Training Click To Tweet

Do Discover the Reason

Dogs vocalize for a variety of reasons. Try to keep track of when and where the spells of barking occur. It is much more difficult to quiet a barking dog if you don’t understand why it’s happening. Potential causes include boredom, stress, loneliness, outside stimulus, territorial acts, pain, dementia, and excitement.

Do Work on Training

As long as the cause of the barking is not medical, you should begin a training regimen with your dog. The correction may require as little as a few environmental changes, increased exercise, or a dog friend. Educate yourself on dog training techniques and positive reinforcement before you begin. 

You can always seek extra help if you’re having trouble with your standard resources. There are devices such as ultrasonic clickers that help distract your dog to stop their barking. Trainers can also come to your home to assess the situation, perform conditioning, and offer advice.

Do Respond Consistently

Consistency is key when it comes to any type of dog training. Your pups are smart, and they’ll remember your reaction to different behaviors. If you laugh about barking sometimes but reprimand it other times, dogs become confused. Select a response to barking and use it every time. The best options are often to ignore the pup until the barking stops or redirect. 

Don’t Yell

Yelling at a barking dog usually exacerbates the problem. It can increase energy levels and lead to more excitement. Some pups imagine that their best friend is yelling with them, not at them.

Other dogs may become fearful. A stressed dog can manifest poor behaviors, such as increased vocalization, aggression, or depression. Trainers recommend using a calm, soft voice even when frustrated.

Don’t Reward Bad Behavior

When you love your dogs, it can be difficult to avoid accidentally rewarding their bad behavior. Rewards include both treats and attention. Praising your dog may be easier and more fun, but it can also show positive reinforcement for inappropriate behaviors.

There are a couple of common examples when it comes to rewarding inappropriate vocalization. Do your dogs bark too much while greeting you at the door? Instantly petting them upon entering the house reinforces the noise. Providing treats as a way to quiet your dog will also encourage them to bark more often. 

Don’t Give Up

Training your dog can be frustrating. Some days it will be hard to stay consistent because progress is not always linear. However, you will see improvements over time if you don’t give up. 

Following these do’s and don’ts will put you on track for a quieter household. Working through vocalization problems with your pup can also help strengthen your relationship. It’s a win-win, so get training today.