What can I do to stop my dog ​​from barking?

The ability to control the level of noise your dog makes is an important aspect of responsible owner behavior. After all, constant barking can be annoying—and not just for you, but for your neighbors as well.

Why all this noise

The first step to solving the problem is to understand why your dog is barking. Some dogs bark to let their owners know they want something. Perhaps the dog is hungry, thirsty, or just wants to play.

When this behavior becomes excessive, it is necessary to let the animal know that there are other ways to get attention, such as paw scratching or waiting near the door or bowl.

Time to play

Many dogs bark to invite other dogs to run and play. This is completely normal, but whether this behavior is acceptable and whether it is worth making the dog wait for the game until it calms down is up to you.

Home Alone

Your dog may bark if left alone at home. Try turning on music or the radio while you’re away so she can hear familiar sounds associated with the presence of a person. You can also leave a few toys that will keep your dog’s attention for a while while you’re away.

A good way to prevent anxiety is to give your dog a personal piece of clothing or something that has a strong homey smell.

And while you are at home, do not forget to play with the dog and give it the necessary physical activity. After all, your pet has missed you so much, and you will not find a better way to strengthen your relationship.

On guard

One of the most common reasons for barking is that the dog is on duty. If your dog sees someone approaching the house, he will immediately bark to alert you. Because you are the leader of the pack, the dog thinks you should find out what’s wrong.

Some breeds of dogs have been bred to perform this function, in which case such behavior should be encouraged. Let your dog bark to get your attention, but then make him calm down when you’re sure there’s no threat to your home.

Consistency is important

In all aspects of training, consistency is important. Dogs respond well to routine treatments and this will greatly increase your chances of success. You may have already taken your puppy to obedience classes, and if not, why not do it now? It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, and there are many places to help you learn how to properly handle your pet.

Shh!

The only way to teach your dog the “Quiet!” – silence her or divert her attention every time she starts barking. Use something that makes a loud sound to get her attention, and then say “Quiet!” clearly and firmly.

When the dog stops barking, praise him and reward him with something. Never yell at your dog to be quiet, this can cause anxiety and negate all achievements in training. In addition, with this you can easily mislead your pet – he will think that you are barking too. Yelling only reinforces the habit of barking.

Total

Training is the best way to correct a dog’s behavior. Remember that most of the time your dog barks is a perfectly normal part of being a dog. It is worth taking any action only if the barking becomes excessive and inexplicable.

If your dog continues to bark, contact your veterinarian for more advice or even suggest a different method of correction.