How to Stop Dog Barking with Training Methods A
ny behavioral treatment program to help stop dog barking must be based on the type of problem, your household’s needs and schedules, the immediacy of the situation, and the type and level of control that you require. A good behavioral history is important for determining the cause of the problem behavior, the motivation, and the cause for the barking. Ensure that your dog is not being rewarded inadvertently. Some owners, in an attempt to calm their dogs, will actually encourage the barking by giving attention, play, food, or affection while the dog is barking. Ensure that your response is not aggravating
8
the problem. For example, yelling at a dog that is barking because of anxiety or because it is protecting its territory (home and grounds) is only likely to increase the dog’s anxiety. Limit Motivation for Dog Barking Sometimes the home can be modified so that the dog is sheltered from the sounds and sights that cause barking. Exposure might be minimized by confining the dog to a crate (if the dog has been crate trained this will be easier to implement), or confined to a room away from highly trafficked areas like doors and windows. Windows might be covered so that the dog cannot see outside, and privacy fencing may be an option for dogs that are allowed time outdoors (such as in a yard).
SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE, EDUCATION & TRAINING, INC.
To stop dog barking on a dog that spends time outside, the dog may need to be kept indoors except when the owner is able to supervise. Trigger sounds, such as doorbells or telephones, that have become a part of the dog’s ingrained reaction should be changed so that they are not provoking a response.
Using Rewards for Dog Training Until an effective reward based training program has begun, it is very unlikely that the dog will learn to stop barking on command. Begin by increasing exercise and play, along with crate training. Halter training and obedience classes may also need to be
