Instructions
Stand in front of the TV while your dog is barking. In this way, you are acting as a barrier between the dog and your territory, in this case, the television.
Stay calm and authoritative. Anger and frustration can make you seem less than a leader to your dog. If a dog feels that you are not a dominant leader, he may take over that role and refuse to cooperate.
Let your dog know that barking at the TV is not acceptable. Use verbal, visual or physical corrections to let your dog know that it is not okay to bark at the TV. Say, "No" when your dog barks at the TV, give your dog a stern look or tap it firmly to send the message. Try a couple different techniques, but remain consistent by continuing the corrections each and every time your dog barks at the TV.
Offer more exercise, such as walks or time in the yard playing fetch. This can help your dog release some of the extra energy that could be causing the excessive barking.
Find a professional dog trainer as a last resort. The trainer will be able to work with you and your dog and offer some techniques to get the situation under control.
How to Stop a Dog from Barking at the TV
A dog barks as a form of communication. It is important to also know that not all barks are aggressive, though they can be annoying at times. A dog barks when it is excited, nervous and when it feels threatened. Some dogs bark at strange things, such as the television or the phone when it rings. This type of barking is nuisance barking and can be prevented with some training techniques. With consistency and firmness, you can train your dog to stop barking at your television so you can take back control of your TV time.