How to Stop Problem Barking

Problem dog barking is not only annoying to you, but probably very irritating to your neighbors, as well. In fact, some states even have laws against excessive barking that can get you into trouble and cost you a significant amount of money, according to StopDogFromBarking.com. What's worse is that problem barking may not just be your dog's attempt to get on your nerves, but it could be indicative of a problem. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, including boredom, loneliness, stress, anxiety and fear. While there are many ways in which to stop the barking madness, the underlying issue that is causing the barking should be addressed.

Things You'll Need

  • Chew toy
  • Treats
  • Citronella-spray collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pay attention to the times in which your dog barks. If your pooch becomes vocal when you are not home, it is likely bored or lonely. If it barks when you aren't paying attention to it, it is doing so to trigger a response from you. Give your bored dog chew toys to occupy its time, or enroll it in doggy daycare to provide it company when you cannot. Take your attention-seeking dog for walks and spend more quality time with it. Determining and addressing the cause of the barking is typically the most effective way to deal with the problem, as it is eliminating your dog's need to excessively bark.

    • 2

      Avoid rewarding your dog for its barking, suggests Dog-Obedience-Training-Review.com. Without knowing it, you may be teaching your dog to bark excessively by rewarding its loud behavior. If your dog is outside and wants to come in and barks at the door to let you know this, letting it in may make the barking stop, but it also teaches your dog that if it barks long enough, you'll do what it wants. Instead, reward your dog and let it inside after it has stopped barking.

    • 3

      Train your dog to stop barking by teaching it a few commands. Dog-Obedience-Training-Review.com suggests to say "quiet," and wave a treat in front of your dog when it starts barking. While the dog is sniffing the treat and therefore stops barking, give it the treat. Continue to practice this technique and eventually, your dog will stop barking when you say the command and will no longer require the treat to do so.

    • 4

      Place a citronella-spray collar on your dog, if all else fails. According to the Doctors Foster and Smith website, these anti-barking collars omit a mist of citronella into the dog's face when it barks. While harmless, the spray is annoying and typically unpleasant-smelling for the pooch. The dog will eventually learn that barking results in the citronella spray and will avoid doing so.