Dogs are amazing creatures. They can be trained to sniff out bombs, rescue victims, and sense illnesses. Some dogs work on the police or military force saving lives, while others guide the blind. Pups can be fantastic security guards and loveable companions.
But what do you do when you have an unholy terror that won’t keep their mouth shut no matter what you do?
Why Do Dogs Bark?
If you are one of the unlucky owners who has a dog that won’t stop barking, you’re not alone. If you do an internet search on “how to stop a dog from barking” it’ll pull up over 19 million results. That’s a lot, but it does make sense.
Back before the internet, cell phones, television, and air conditioning, the majority of dogs were bred to be workers. They each had specific roles like hunting, herding, or guarding that gave them jobs to do. Even many of the small companion breeds were bred to hunt small vermin.
Now, fast forward to today and many dogs are expected to be responsible, respectable house sitters while their owners go to work for many hours at a time. With hours upon hours of nothing to do except pace the house or sleep combined with little to no exercise creates a ticking time bomb of pent up energy and frustration.
So, what do you do?
Understand What Your Dog Is Trying To Tell You
Before you can come up with a proper solution, you need to understand when and why your dog won’t stop barking. Canines can’t speak our language, but barking is a form of communication. As the parent of your pup, it’s your responsibility to listen and take the measures necessary to train your dog to be a responsible canine citizen.
Does the yapping continue while you’re at home in order to get your attention? Does your dog bark with a friendly tail wag and happy wiggle? Or are they stiff, hackles raised, with a “don’t mess with my family” sort of attitude? Does it occur because of a certain sight or sound? Or even worse, does your furry pal only raise their voice when you’re away?
If the barking occurs when you’re away, is it accompanied with destruction? Is the destruction throughout the entire house or only aimed at exit points (windows and doors)? All of these are important considerations in figuring out why your dog is barking in the first place.
Dogs Barking Out Of Boredom
These are the pups that have nothing to do, but need something to do. This is usually characterized by lonely, monotone barks filled with spaces in between. It’s akin to saying, “Hello? Is anyone there? I’m so boooooored.” Boredom usually accompanies different forms of destruction and chaos. Digging, chewing, trash, etc. can accompany a dog who’s bored out of their minds.
To help a dog that’s bored, give the poor pup something to do while you’re away. It’s vital that you make sure to give them exercise before you leave. This works away their energy tank so they’re more likely to rest for awhile. Provide a time consuming treat or puzzle toy that will keep them engaged. Usually freezing a Kong toy will do the trick.
You also might want to consider asking a friend or hiring a dog walker to take your pup out during the day. Another option is taking your dog to a daycare. Do whatever you feel is right for your pup.
Dogs Barking at Sounds
Training a dog not to bark takes time and patience. This is because barking has become an ingrained habit with its own reward. If a dog is barking at certain sounds there are a few things that you can do.
~ Teach the “Quiet” Command – In order to teach this, your dog first needs to know how to speak on command. A clicker is an invaluable tool for this trick and there are many tutorials online for how to teach your dog to speak like this video from Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution.
- Reward Good Behavior – Essentially, you want to reward your dog when they stop barking. When they start yapping, say in a firm (but not a yelling) voice, “Quiet” and then wait for them to stop. Once they stop for a few seconds, reward them with a treat. Repeat this over and over until they begin to associate the word “quiet” with treats and silence.
- Get Help – Have a friend come over to recreate the sound so you and your dog can work in a controlled environment. It’s important to practice a few minutes a day, so you dog will learn overtime. Also, consider letting your guests know what you’re doing so you can stay consistent.
- Be Consistent – It’s vital to be consistent with this. You’re replacing a habit that’s been developing over years and years. One break in the routine and it’ll be like starting over.
- Don’t Yell Repeatedly – Your dog will think that you’re barking too and it won’t make a lick of difference.
~ Get Rid of the Sound – Turn on the TV or radio when you’re away from home. Get a noisemaker to cancel out the sound so your dog can’t hear it. If the sound is a certain ringtone or doorbell sound, change it. If the dog can’t hear it, the problem will most likely go away.
Dogs Barking at Sights
If your dog loves to bark at every single movement outside, then maybe you need to block access to the view. Give your pup a safe, comfortable space where they can relax while you’re away. If they have a perch, move it someplace else. Close the drapes or install a temporary window film that can be moved as your dog grows less interested with the outside world.
Dogs Demanding Attention
If your dog is barking at you because they want attention, don’t give it to them. Tune them out. You can do this by turning your body away and not looking at them. If this doesn’t work, say “Nuh, uh,” or “No” once, then leave the room for a few minutes.
It’s crucial that you wait until they stop barking before you reward them with the treat, toy, attention, etc. They’ll soon get the idea that barking is not going to give them what they want.
Separation Anxiety
If you are dealing with a dog with separation anxiety, this is a whole new ball park that’s going to take time and patience. You may also want to consider hiring a trainer or behavior specialist to give you assistance.
Separation anxiety is when your dog panics that they are alone in the house. This leads to all sorts of problems including urinating, destruction, frantic barking, and howling. Your dog may go to great lengths in order to escape their confinement, including injuring themselves. It’s often seen from rescue dogs that were abandoned by previous owners.
When dealing with this, your dog needs to learn that it’s 100% okay for you to leave and that you will come back. That means you need to desensitize your dog to your departure.
- Break Up Your Routine: Do they start growing anxious when you get ready to leave? Change your habits. Pick up your keys and watch the TV for a few minutes. Pull on your uniform and read a book on the floor. This changes the impact on your dog helping them realize that just because you’re getting ready doesn’t mean you’re leaving forever.
- Don’t Make a Big Deal Out of It: Giving your dog a big hug and a kiss is only going to make your dog feel worse because they’ll start to believe this is goodbye. Only a pat and “See you later” is all your pup needs. Your dog will pick up on any anxiety or fears you exhibit, so leave the house calmly.
- Take It Slow: Your dog needs to get used to the idea that it’s okay for you to leave. Spend 15 minutes each day working on your dog. Head out the door for a second and then come right back in with a treat and praise. Do this over and over again gradually building how long you’re outside.
- This Takes Time: Being left alone is traumatizing and that needs to be reduced as much as possible. If you can, for the next couple of months, make sure someone is always with your dog. Only leave during the training sessions. As you’re able to leave for longer periods of time, distract your dog with a special Kong toy or treat they only have when you’re away.
Talk To Your Vet
Your dog may be dealing with some neurological or chemical issues that are making him/her behave this way. It’s always a good idea to get your pup examined and your vet may have some other recommendations for you to try.
In Conclusion
Dealing with a dog that won’t stop barking can be downright aggravating, but there’s always a reason for why you’re dog is behaving the way it is. If you care about your pet then take the time to understand what they’re trying to say. Make sure to give your pup plenty to do and exercise them! This will help both you and your dog to live in a happy and peaceful home.