How to stop a dog or puppy from barking

While barking is a natural behaviour for dogs and serves as a primary means of communication, persistent and excessive barking can cause stress for both dog owners and the dog themself. Excessive barking can even indicate an underlying issue or trigger that may require intervention.

Pet owners can effectively manage excessive barking by identifying the underlying cause and utilizing specific methods to stop dog barking efficiently.

Why do dogs bark and what does it mean?

A dog’s bark is not a one-size-fits-all communication. Different barks in different situations likely have different meanings. Dog’s barks are also emotionally complex, meaning that different barks communicate different moods. Just like humans, dogs use tone and vocal variations to communicate different messages:

• Let’s play: the stutter bar: a high-pitched “Harr-ruff” sound.
• I’m lonely: a frequent bark with deliberate pauses between each bark, often accompanied by intense eye contact.
• Alert! Danger: sequences of 2-4 deep barks with pauses in between.
• Get away from me: a very low-pitched single bark that may be accompanied by a growl.
• I’m scared or hurt: a high-pitched yelp or succession of yelps.

Barking is a normal dog behaviour and one of their main ways to communicate with other animals and with their human companions. Normal dog barking includes:

• Greeting people or other pets
• Protecting possessions, food, or property
• Excited barking
• Communicating a need: hunger, thirst, elimination, mental/physical stimulation, or attention
• To warn of perceived danger

These situations are generally fleeting moments, once the need is met or the situation resolved, the dog will stop barking. However, when dogs excessively, an underlying issue or trigger may need human intervention.

Common triggers for excessive dog barking

Fear/Alert barking can develop in under socialized dogs, dogs adjusting to new environments, and dogs who are more anxious by nature.

Bored dogs may bark in an attempt to gain attention or to entertain themselves. Dogs require both physical and mental stimulation, a bored dog may also become destructive in a variety of ways.

Territorial behaviour can cause relentless dog barking when someone approaches your dog, or when outside on a leash. This type of barking is often difficult to curb because it is often reinforced.

Think of someone walking down the sidewalk in front of your house, your dog barks, and the person walks away. While your dog’s bark had nothing to do with the walker's path, your dog sees this scenario as a personal success.

Health and medical issues can cause excessive barking. A painful medical condition or injury may cause your dog to bark relentlessly. Older dogs can develop dementia-like symptoms that include vocalisations, especially in the evenings.

Have your dog examined by a veterinarian to rule out any unseen injuries or health issues in your dog if they develop a barking habit.

If your dog barks only when left alone or separated from their preferred person, they may suffer from separation anxiety. Separation-anxiety barking often comes with other symptoms like destruction, elimination, and other signs of distress. Separation anxiety is a medical condition that should be treated with the same care as other illnesses.

Barking prevention techniques

Preventing barking problems is far easier than correcting them. Correct socialization and training of puppies can reduce the risks of fear and anxiety barking. If your puppy or dog begins to show signs of separation anxiety, address it sooner rather than later because the condition tends to progress rather than resolve on its own.

While providing both physical and mental enrichment can keep your dog’s mind at ease. Additionally, creating a calm home life is beneficial for both you and your dog’s mental health, leading to less stress for you both.

Dealing with excessive dog barking

The only way to effectively deal with excessive barking is to identify the underlying cause. First, rule out any medical or health issues. You can talk with veterinary professionals anytime by phone, email, or live chat for free with the Lifetime Protection Membership.

Investigate when exactly your dog is barking relentlessly. Are they afraid of something (another dog, the neighbour's lawn mower, or people in hats)? Are they barking to protect their home or yard? Are they barking only when the family leaves for school and work in the mornings?

Identifying the reason behind your dog’s actions is the best way to redirect unwanted behaviours.

How to stop a dog from barking excessively: training

First, know that everything you do in interacting with your dog reinforces behaviours, intentionally or not. A barking dog can be frustrating but resist becoming frustrated and shouting at or punishing your dog. This can lead to confusion, fear, and even more barking.

Leading experts consider positive reinforcement training as the most effective dog training method. This simple training style involves rewarding behaviours you want and ignoring unwanted behaviour. Common rewards are usually a dog's favourite treats, praise, and playtime - depending on what motivates the individual dog.

Teach the "quiet" command

Have a handful of small high-value treats ready when your dog is in a manageable bark-triggering situation. Using a clicker or marking word like 'yes!’ will help you reward the quiet – and not the barking.

Start by rewarding a quiet moment. Then reward for longer periods of quiet, slowly increasing the time. Once your dog consistently understands that quiet equals a reward, add a verbal cue, like saying the word ‘quiet’ while your dog is quiet. Have patience and slowly move the cue back in time, anticipating your dog’s behaviour until you can give the cue before the bark.

Distract

Distraction is an excellent technique for boredom barkers. Leaving the TV on or a music playlist on repeat can drown out triggering outside sounds. Plenty of toys, including mental stimulation puzzles, are great tools for mental distraction in various environments.

Desensitize

Fear-based and territorial barkers may respond well to desensitization. If your dog is barking excessively due to outside stimuli (like the mail being delivered), you can desensitize your dog with the help of a friend or family member. Ask them to simply walk by your house while you work on the Quiet cue with your dog inside.

Consistency and patience in the training process

Set clear boundaries and expectations, and have patience as they learn what you’re asking of them. Dogs need time and repetition to understand and adapt to new behaviours. Staying consistent in dog training methods and routines will help your dog learn more quickly.

If you prefer more in-depth information on training your dog, Petcademy is an excellent online video dog training resource. The lessons are all based on positive reinforcement training methods. A one-year membership is included in the Lifetime Protection Membership Plus plan benefits.

How to get a dog to stop barking: behavioural

Creating a designated quiet space for your dog can help with behavioural-based barking issues. Your dog can use their quiet space to decompress and cope with stressful situations.

Dogs instinctively seek out small, cozy areas as safe spaces thanks to their wild canine ancestors who slept in dens. Your dog’s quiet space can be an extended crate area, a closet always kept open in the guest bedroom or another small room in your home. Choose a location in a quiet but not secluded area of your home.

It's important to prioritize a safe environment in your dog’s quiet space:

• Never use the quiet space for time-outs or other negative experiences.
• Never pull your dog out of their quiet space unless in an emergency.
• Never force attention or affection onto them while in their quiet space. Teach young children that the dog is off-limits when they are in their quiet space.

To create a quiet space your dog will love, include all their basic necessities and comforts.

• Comfortable for your dog with appropriate temperature control and suitable bedding.
• Stocked with fresh water and food.
• Include favourite comfort items, like chew toys and blankets.
• Easily accessible so your dog can freely choose when to enter and exit their quiet space.
• Located away from loud noises, windows, and other stimuli.

Dog barking deterrent tools and devices

Anti-bark collars and devices are available to pet owners from many retail stores. These devices deliver an ‘uncomfortable stimulus’ when your dog barks. Based on the type of device, the stimuli options include many unpleasant or painful reactions. Options include a loud alarm, an ultrasonic tone, citronella spray, or an electric shock.

The devices are intended to work by associating the punishment of ‘discomfort’ with barking.

Do anti-barking devices work?

Anti-barking collars are not recommended by many of the leading pet welfare organizations for several reasons, including:

• They are a form of punishment that can exacerbate barking, especially if barking is fear or anxiety-based.
• They punish the dog for every bark, punishing them for even normal and appropriate barking behaviour.
• They can cause unintentional animal abuse.
• They intentionally cause physical harm.
• They cause mental harm (dogs can become fearful, anxious, and even develop phobias).
• They can malfunction, punishing your dog for shaking its head, running around, or even other dogs barking nearby.
• They fail to address the underlying causes of barking.
• There are more humane alternatives.

By identifying the triggers that cause your dog to bark uncontrollably and working with them to redirect the behaviour, distract them from it, or create calming spaces, you can help your dog rather than punish them. You can bond with your dog and work together to live harmoniously by using positive reinforcement training.

How to stop a puppy from barking

Adult dogs are not the only ones who may struggle with excessive barking. Puppies may bark due to the same variety of reasons as adult dogs. Puppies have limited means of communication and may be naturally more vocal than adult dogs.

Remember, puppies are essentially babies, it's important to approach their barking with extra patience, positive reinforcement, and proper training techniques to set them up for success as they mature into well-behaved adult dogs.

What really stops dogs from barking

Excessive dog barking can be a significant stressor for dog owners, especially new dog owners.

Addressing this issue is crucial not only for the well-being of your dog and your family’s overall well-being. Prevention, training, and management techniques play a vital role in successfully deterring excessive barking.

While these techniques can stop many dogs from barking excessively, there are situations where professional help is needed. Some dogs may have underlying medical or behavioural problems that require professional assessment and intervention. Professional dog trainers, behaviourists, or veterinarians can all provide guidance for your individual dog’s needs.

With the right approach and support, responsible dog owners can successfully manage excessive barking.