How to Stop a Dog From Barking in a Pen

Dogs bark in pens for a number of reasons. Some canines bark because they are lonely, some bark because they want to get out, while others make noise because of objects they see around them. Whatever the reason, the barking should be stopped. Not only will it likely annoy you, but it could bother your neighbors, as well. Fortunately, there are a few ways to stop your dog from barking when in its pen.

Things You'll Need

  • Water bottle
  • Treats
  • Citronella collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Train your dog to stop barking on command. When the dog starts barking, say "no bark" or "quiet," then squirt it a few times with water. The water will startle the dog and often it will stop barking as a result. When the dog is silent, say "good dog" and reward it with a treat. Eventually, you can remove the squirt bottle and stop the dog from barking with only the command.

    • 2

      Reward your dog only when it's silent. Some owners unintentionally reward their dogs' barking behaviors, which reinforces it. For instance, when their dogs bark, they will pet them and talk lovingly in an effort to calm the dogs and stop the barking. What the owners are really doing, however, is showing the dogs that when they bark, they are petted and given attention as a reward, which encourages them to continue to do so. Instead, only pet the dog when it is quiet, to encourage that silent behavior.

    • 3

      Determine what is causing the barking. If your dog doesn't like other dogs and can plainly see them---perhaps in your neighbor's yard---from its pen, move the pen to an area in which the view is blocked. Some dogs will bark in their pens when they see people walk by their homes. If this is the case with your dog, move the pen so the dog isn't aware of what is going on in front of your home. Sometimes, all it takes is a pen repositioning to stop the barking.

    • 4

      Give your dog the adequate amount of exercise it needs. Some dogs will bark as a way to release extra energy. If you give your dog plenty of exercise, however, it will not need to excessively bark to provide that release. Walk, run, swim, play or jog with your dog on a daily basis to calm its energy levels. With all that exercise, your dog may be too tired to bark and will sleep and rest while in its pen.

    • 5

      Place an anti-barking citronella collar on your dog. Citronella collars squirt sprays of citronella into a dog's face when it barks. While citronella is harmless, it does smell offensive to many dogs and getting sprayed in the face is often a most undesirable action. Eventually, the dog will link barking with getting sprayed in the face and will avoid doing so.