How to Stop Dog Barking

Topping the dog behavior issues list is the almighty bark. Learn how to stop dog barking. Let’s look at how dogs communicate; why do dogs bark in the first place and then how to fix this bad behavior. Dog Barking for Attention First, why do dogs bark?

Barking - How Dogs Communicate

Under normal healthy circumstances, and especially as puppies, dogs bark to:

Call their mothers and siblings if they are lost or (with us) feeling separated

Say they need to go out to potty

Communicate they are hungry

While we all know it’s a means of communication, a LOT of barking is an entirely different matter. Not only do we have a problem with it, the poor dog has a problem and he needs our help!

Whether you have a little yapper or a big woofer, it is annoying and one of the reasons dogs are taken to the pound. I find this incredibly sad when the cause might actually be us because we don't know how to stop dog barking!

If the bad dog behavior of excessive barking has entered your life, here are the four main reasons adult dogs drive us crazy. Your dog is saying:

I'm spoiled

I'm confused

I'm scared

I'm bored!

What do you think the following barking dog behavior issues stem from?

My neighbor has eight dogs. He keeps 3 Bloodhounds in outdoor kennels. One barks a lot at night. Why?

He also has five Chihuahuas. They are not fenced in, have full run of the neighborhood and bark at everyone they see. Why?

Now the Bloodhounds (one in particular) bark every night, yet it doesn’t bother us at all. Sound crazy? Well, Cletis (no idea what his real name is) isn’t upset. He sounds like he’s conversing with the other dogs about their next big tracking event. In fact, when my husband and I sit out on the porch at night we actually look forward to hearing the musings of Cletis. I swear it’s like listening to a story because a few other bloodhounds chime in from time to time. Personally, I think Cletis is BORED.

The Chihuahuas on the other hand irritate the heck out of me. They sound unsure and SCARED to me. I guess you would call it a bit of fear aggression. One of them will follow me down the gravel road, barking incessantly, as I walk to the mailbox. When this happens, I stop; stand my ground; and put my hands on my hips while I face him. Then I point to his driveway and tell him to go home. In that case, it's how to stop dog barking. He's getting pretty good at that.

How does my neighbor go about how to stop dog barking? He hollers, "Shut Up!" which lasts a few minutes at best. It doesn't teach how to stop dog barking because they turn right around and do it again.

Dog Barking Behavior Issues

Now let's look at the four reasons, followed by what you can do to change your dog's behavior:

I'm Spoiled

If your dog is used to getting her way, she will bark at you to get what she wants. It's seems much easier to share your food, for instance, than teaching how to stop dog barking. Especially if you feel guilty over something, such as, leaving her home alone all day. But then the barking gets worse while your poor dog becomes a sausage with legs and your vet tells you to put her on a diet!

Get a grip! Giving into your dog is bad for both of you. This belligerent barking has been caused by you. I can tell you this because I've done it.

Our dogs pick up on our feelings better than we do ourselves and they mirror our emotions. For a better understanding and examples of this, read about dog behavior problems when dogs mirror our emotions.

I'm Confused

Giving your dog mixed messages and only correcting unwanted behavior part of the time makes for a confused canine. A confused canine is insecure and much more apt to break out in barking frenzy.

How can you give your dog mixed messages? Let's say your dog barks at someone who comes over to visit. Instead of calmly making your dog lie at your feet, you pet your dog and tell him in a sweet voice, "It's okay honey". No! Please don't do that or you will create a monster.

If you're guilty of this one, please read Dog Fear - Stop Feeding it and Fix It!

Another mistake is to yell at your dog to shut up. Yelling at the dog is not how to stop dog barking. It only tells him that YOU are unstable and less trustworthy.

I'm Scared

Let's say you are out for a walk with your dog and some kids fly by on bicycles or skateboards. The sudden change frightens your dog (and maybe startles you too). This may bring on barking that progresses to barking at all kids or all strangers. If you feel bad for your dog, he knows it.

The problem is, feeling bad for your dog is a weakness in your dog's eyes. Instead he needs you to stay calm and show him what to do. He figures if you're busy feeling bad, you cannot help him.

I'm Bored!

Ooh, I hate this one because I have a bored barker. She is a high energy dog that needs mental and physical stimulation several times a day.

If I work to long creating a page, for example, she will come right up and bark in my face. It's embarrassing but I don't want you to think I'm some know-it-all with knowledge but no experience. I'm still working on some challenges with my dogs that I created.

I make my bored barker submit and lay at my feet. Then when I have a good time to break from work, I instigate exercise time in the yard or an indoor game.

How To Stop Dog Barking