How to Control a Dog's Barking & Growling

Barking and growling can be symptoms of many underlying issues. Being vocal is your dog's way of telling you that it is not happy about something. Many people have no problem with barking or growling at the front door, for example, but they can often have a difficult time getting their dog to stop the behavior. Training an "on" and "off" button to barking and growling is one way of tackling the behavior and will give you more control. If the growling or barking is directed at people within the home, have your dog examined to eliminate any potential underlying medical issues.

Things You'll Need

  • Long lead
  • Treats
  • Plastic bottle half-filled with small stones
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Instructions

    • 1

      Develop a plan. Think about replicating a scenario where your dog shows the behavior--someone ringing the doorbell is a common trigger for most dogs.

    • 2

      Put your dog on lead and set up the scenario where your dog will bark. As your volunteer rings the doorbell, for example, allow your dog to move toward the door and praise any barking by saying the word "speak" to your dog. This will help make the association in your dog's mind that this is what you want it to do the next time you use the "speak" command. Praise the dog for barking after you give the command.

    • 3

      Hold a food treat tightly in your hand just in front of your dog's nose as he barks and allow him to smell it, without allowing him to have it, and ask him to "cease" or "enough" in a firm tone of voice. If your dog is smelling the food he simply cannot bark so he will automatically stop if you are doing this correctly and have chosen an attractive treat. Wait for about 10 seconds of silence and then give the treat. It is important that you give the treat after waiting for a period of silence so that it is seen as being given for the quiet time rather than the original barking frenzy.

    • 4

      Set up the exercise again once your dog has been quiet for a period of time and repeat it a few times every day so that your dog is conditioned to know what is expected. Place a lead and a few treats in a safe place near the front door so that they are always ready to practice the routine and if someone rings the bell, put the lead on your dog, praise your dog for barking and practice the "cease" command using the treat. Encourage your visitor not to look at or talk to your dog but to just come in. Be consistent so that your dog will learn the new system quickly.

    • 5

      Develop other strategies for dealing with a dog that gets overexcited or one that is not too interested in food as a decoy--half fill a small plastic bottle with pebbles (sometimes called a "shake") and replace the top. Train the "speak" command as before and then say "cease." If your dog persists in barking, say "cease" again and shake the bottle by his ear at the same time. The noise of the stones rattling in the bottle will startle your dog and barking will stop. Praise your dog for stopping and once he is quiet for a time, give him a treat reward.

    • 6

      Develop a routine that will also require your dog to do something else once he has stopped barking and growling, such as to "sit" or "down" on a mat away from the doorway, so that he has a purpose and direction; otherwise the barking may begin again as your visitor enters.