How to Train Dogs That Bark at Pedestrians Even When I'm Not Home

Nuisance barking when you're away from home can be difficult to control. The best way to correct a dog for barking is immediately, which is impossible to do when you aren't there. There are bark control products available that can help curb your dog's excessive barking while you are out.

Things You'll Need

  • Citronella collar
  • Shock collar
  • Tone correction device
  • Kong-type toy
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Buy a citronella spray collar. Citronella spray collars electronically detect when your dog is barking and release a squirt of unpleasant citronella oil into the dog's face. The citronella is safe and won't harm the pet, but the unpleasant scent of the oil will dissuade the dog from barking.

    • 2

      Equip your dog area with a tone correction device. If the dog isn't sensitive to the citronella spray, try a tone correction unit, which uses a loud, high-pitched sound to distract the barking pooch.

    • 3

      Fit your dog with an electronic "shock" collar. If the citronella spray and the tone device don't work, try an electronic collar. When it senses barking, the stimulation collars emit an electrical impulse that gives your dog a quick jolt of electricity. Multiple levels of "stimulation" are available so you can adjust the collar to the lowest level needed to correct the unwanted barking.

    • 4

      Exercise and socialize your dog. Most nuisance barking is the result of loneliness and boredom. When you are home, exercise and play with your dog. Take it for a long walk around the neighborhood to socialize it with other dogs and people in the area.

    • 5

      Leave a distracting toy. When you are planning to be out, fill a heavy-duty Kong-type toy with peanut butter or small treats. Your dog will spend hours trying to get to the treats, which will distract it from what's happening outside the fence.