FREE DELIVERY for orders from $35.

How Do I Get My Dog To Stop Barking?

While barking is a common behavior in dogs, excessive barking can quickly become an annoyance and should be nipped in the bud as soon as possible. If you have a dog that just won't stop barking, here are some handy tips on how to break the habit.

#1: Exercise Your Dog

As the owner of an 11 year-ld (still hyperactive) Jack Russell Terrier, exercise is definitely at the top of my list when it comes to age-old tips that work wonders. Like humans, our canine pals are capable of becoming bored too – and an unstimulated dog with pent-up energy is more likely to engage in repetitive barking to alleviate their boredom, get our attention or make known their frustrations.


Ever heard the saying that a tired dog is (almost) always a good dog? Work out the excess energy and your dog will probably be more interested in napping than barking at every lil' thing out there.

Did You Know?
Research suggests that people who exercise with their dogs are more likely to stick to a fitness program, so there's something in it for you too. Dogs sometime make better fitness buddies than our human friends – because they will never judge us for our athleticism (or lack thereof)!

Here are some physical exercises you can consider doing with your dog:
- Going for long walks (or jogs)
- Running through an obstacle course together
- Indulging in a good game of ball chase or tug-of-war

And on rainy days, or when you have to leave your dog alone for a long period of time, provide him with interactive toys such as treat-dispensing toys to fill up his indoor free time. These simple activities can help work off the excess energy and leave you with a buddy that is less prone to excessive barking.


#2: The ‘Quiet’ Command

When properly taught and enforced, the ‘quiet' command can be just as effective as the usual ‘sit' and ‘lie down'.
When your dog starts barking, hold up his favorite treat and tell him to be ‘quiet' in a firm voice. The moment he stops, praise him immediately and reward the treat. Gradually extend the amount of time that your dog must remain quiet before receiving his treat, and he will come to associate being quiet on command as praiseworthy behavior. Remember this: Patience is a virtue, and consistency is key! 

#3: Ignore The Barking

If your dog is an attention-eeker like mine, ignoring them can sometimes be the most effective counter.
When we react to unwanted behavior by giving them our attention (e.g., yelling at our dogs), we are actually rewarding the behavior. Dogs have no concept of the word ‘shut-up' and can become more excited instead if they think we are barking along with them. In other cases, your dog may also come to associate your hostility with a negative experience and become fearful of you.


What You Should Do Instead
The next time he barks for attention, ignore the behavior until he stops. Like the ‘quiet' command, reward him with attention immediately after.

And no matter what you do, always remember these three golden rules:
1. Never yell at your dog.
2. Always be positive.
3. Be consistent with your rules.

#4: ‘Feed’ The Barks

When all else fails, or whether or not the dog IS generally anxious, you will be helping the dog by doing this: when she barks at something, give her praise and food (yes, believe it or not). Walk around with a waist pack of small treats on you, and when the dog barks, say, 'Good’ dog-thanks for telling me!', and feed a couple of treats.

As you do this, two things might be happening. Possible scenario A: If the dog is anxious, this will help lower her anxiety by forming a pleasant association between whatever made the bark happen (the 'scary' thing, a.k.a. the trigger, or the stimulus), and the food/praise. Possible scenario B: If the dog isn't scared, but is just an individual who thinks that everything requires attention from her and a notification to you, you will be training her that a different response is possible to the 'I must tell my owner there's someone outside' barkfest. That may be because a mailman comes to the house every day and yet mom never lets him in. MUST be a bad guy.) The dog will then learn that her inner turmoil prompted by the mailman is the signal to run to mom and get fed.

Here's one important thing: It often happens that you can transition seamlessly from Scenario A to Scenario B. This is because when the owner, instead of shouting at the dog, will you keep quiet!!!', instead says, 'Wow, good dog-thanks for telling me that someone's outside!' and hands the dog a few pieces of treats, there's no way that this will increase the dog's anxiety. Instead it will decrease it.

In other words, start handing out the food and the praise, stop getting reactive yourself (if you were), and see how far it takes you.

Keep this in mind: dogs always have a reason for what they do :)

Tags: dog, dog behaviour, dog psychology

Written by