How to Stop Dog Barking at Me
Although whining and barking is a perfectly normal habit among dogs, it gets annoying if it just doesn’t stop. Continuous barking could be an indication of your dog’s way of telling you that something’s not right. This probably needs some correction in the dog’s behavior or change in the environment.
Teaching how to stop dog barking completely is an impossible task, and is not something you want to aim for, as barking could also be to alert you in times of discomfort or danger. Just like any other behavioural issues, barking could be results of anxiety, boredom or excitement. It takes time and patience to stop this Behavior although not completely.
Here are a few basic steps that will help turn down the noise and teach you how to stop dog barking:
Click Here to Stop Dog Behavior Problems
Petting the Dog While Barking
When owners goes home from work or from their friends house and opens the door, the dog suddenly barks and when they bark, the owners tend to pet the dog and phrasing the dog by saying good dog knowing that the dog is ok. This makes the dog feel rewarded and will continue to bark.
To stop the dog from barking, use the command ‘NO’ or ‘QUIET’ and say this in a firmly way and be consistent and stick to the word so the dog will know what to do when you give your dog the command. This is a good technique for teaching how to stop dog barking and has been used often.
Citronella Collar
Citronella collars or anti-bark collars are widely available and are used to stop dogs from barking. Although considered to be offensive since the spray is from a close range and definitely bad for their alert and delicate nostrils. These collars emit a misty spray onto the dog’s face when it barks. It is however essential to first recognize the reason for this erratic behaviour. More often than not it could be because of excessive energy which is not given the right outlet or signals of frustration.
Exercises and Toys
Excessive energy that is not given a proper directive outlet, anxiety and frustration could be reasons why your dog can’t stop barking. Dogs are extremely active beings and their energy needs to be channelized in the right direction. Long walks or a game of catch in the park could help take care of this behaviour. The fact is that dogs need to be taken out for a minimum of two long walks and a short walk to release their energy. If this basic requirement is not taken care off, they tend to get anxious, hyperactive and bored, and end up barking.
Creating a Distraction
Barking could just be an attention seeking technique where the dog wants you to probably do something for him/her and if it’s not taken care of, the dog may just continue barking. Barking to get some attention like; pats, meals, toys and attention could be ways for your dog to try and dominate you. This is not what you want! You need to thus show affection or shower attention only on your terms. When your dog goes quiet for a while show him some attention and praise the dog a bit. This will make the dog understand that barking will not get him/her anywhere. There are other tactics as well to stop a dog from barking, like sprinkling him with water when he barks, or telling him to ‘BE QUIET’ firmly.
Change in Environment
If you find that your dog has a good view of the area through which passerby’s pass though, this could set off territorial instincts within the dog. Your dog probably think that he is trying to scare of potential invaders and will continue to bark. In this case you will have to try and block the area that your dog accesses to get a view of people passing by.
This is a guide to how to stop dog barking. Your dog might want to tell you something, and since he doesn’t know how, he resorts to barking. Patience and understanding is the key, and you should understand the fact that you cannot take the bark from the dog!