The Most Effective Ways to Control Excessive Dog Barking

Barking in dogs is as natural as talking or shouting in people, that's why the title suggests ways to "control" and not "stop" dog barking. Dogs bark for several different reasons, but in all cases, they bark in order to communicate, either to greet their owner or to send a distress signal. It is also important to note that some breeds of dog are more prone to barking than others. Most of the time, the problem is not with the dog barking, but with the fact that it is already becoming a nuisance. Just as human beings need to know when to say something and when to zip it, dogs should also learn when it is okay to bark and when it is time to stay quiet. As the pet parent, it is your responsibility to teach your dog how to do this. Again, your goal is to control dog barking and not to stop it, because barking can also be an alarm that can alert you when there is danger.

Following Through is Crucial

If you're dog is easy to teach, it can easily be told to stop barking with a single command. That command can be a simple look, a verbal command, or a physical correction. One common mistake made by many dog owners, however, is that they fail to follow through. Sometimes, even if the dog has already stopped barking at your initial command, it will still have the tendency to go back to what it's doing, especially if it's your first time to try to train him. Always follow through by not budging until your dog has completely stopped barking and submitted to your command. Do this regularly and your dog will know that he needs to stop barking at your command.

Show Your Dog That You Are in Command

Your dog will know if you are frustrated and will mirror your energy so make sure you stay calm when correcting your pet. This is a basic principle regardless of what animal you are training. Dogs don't follow unsure leaders and they will even bark more if they realize you are not in control.

Give Your Dog a Physical and Mental Release

Barking is sometimes a way for dogs to release their frustration. If you have a dog that is living an unbalanced life, which means he doesn't get enough exercise and playing time, he will try to release his dissatisfaction through constant barking. You will notice that this is true among dogs that are kept in cages or dogs that are not given the time for a daily walk. If you feel that pent-up energy is the reason for your dog's constant barking, help give him a release by taking him for a walk daily. Provide mental stimulation as well by letting him engage in obedience training sessions. You will be amazed, but simply making sure the dogs needs are fully met is a surefire way to stop nuisance barking.

If you come to think of it, the solutions for constant barking are really simple and may surprise a lot of dog owners. Starting with making sure your dog's needs are satisfied, you can control nuisance barking in no time. Most importantly, know when to reward your dog for proper behavior and to withhold one when your dog is not behaving properly.

About the Author: Tony Green is a big pet lover. He loves to write anything that has to do with caring for animals, especially domesticated ones. As an owner of numerous dogs, cats, and other various types of pets, he believes that investing in dog barking collars is one way to control nuisance dog barking.