How to make your dog stop barking

In the world of dog owners it's quite common to have dogs that just cant seem to stop barking at any given time, be it while they are outside, inside our just on a walk.
We'll be dealing with that problem here today.

But first of there is a few things we need to make sure we understand before starting as there can be several reasons to your dogs barking tendencies.
What you have to understand is that the dogs only way of speaking and communicating lies in his bark, so single barks and sounds are not to be considered as irritating behavior as the dog has as big a need to be heard as you and me in his/her own way.
It might be that your dog is trying to communicate a problem or a desire to do something so have this in mind as well.

If the dog is standing outside a lot you will have to take the environment into consideration, be it dogs or other animals barking or making a ruckus, kids bothering the dog etc, these things will have to be dealt with beforehand.
In the case of other animals aggravating the dog it is possible with these same techniques to rid it of the habit of barking at them.

To get started, first of there is a few thing you'll need:

1) A spray bottle
2) Tap water
3) A whistle (optional)
4) Dog treats (optional)

Instructions:

1) For your dog it will take about 30 days for something to become a habit, so as you might have figured out it will take your persistence and determination to train your dog and accomplish the wanted results.
There is no excuse for hitting or manhandling your dog and I want you all to have this clear in mind as you train your dog.

2) Now, every time you are able to catch your dog barking consecutively and irritatingly you will be using the spray bottle and squirt water in the dogs face and the whistle (optionally a high pitched use of your own voice) to signal to the dog that this is wrong, a pointed finger might be added.
The reason for the whistle (or high pitch) is to not give the dog an association to a bad feeling when it hears your voice as is what screaming and yelling to the dog will result in.

3) When the dog calms down and stops barking you will be wise to stroke and praise it and optionally give it a treat, it's important to remember never to give it praise, petting or treats if it continues to bark but resort to point 2 in this guide.
If the dog is standing outside barking you will go outside and do exactly the same, to learn the dog that this is not an accepted way to obtain your attention.
After a while it will be enough to simply whistle when the dog barks as it is learning the meaning and association of the sound.
However if the dog is left outside alone for a long period of time it will be only natural for it to bark as it's need for attention is as great as any of ours, a long walk with the dog every now and again might fix the problem all by itself in such a case.

4) This is really all that is needed to make your dog stop barking, but if your dog is generally disobedient you will be wise to use the treats and whistle for other training as well.
As sitting, laying down etc so that your dog will gain a greater level of respect and obedience for you.
It is important to remember not to use the whistle when the dog is not doing anything wrong, and (while in training for a command or other) not pet or give the dog snacks when it's not done something correct after a command.
And this does not mean not to feed your dog, just don't give it the special snacks without reason.

Things to take into consideration:

A dog that barks and growls and shows his teeth in a threatening way is getting ready to bite you. Do not squirt water up his nose. Do not threaten him. Consult with your veterinarian or dog psychologist.

In the case of dogs barking when left alone at home these methods will enforce the habit of not barking in the dog but probably not solve it entirely.
In this case you will be wise to leave the dog with a TV or radio on (not to loud) so that the dog can hear human voices and other sounds then those from the outside that it might react to.
Saying goodbye, petting and assuring the dog that you will be back soon is counter productive as you enforce the idea that it is a big deal for the dog to be alone.
Make as little fuzz as possible and the dog is likely to do the same.


This concludes my How-to guide on "How to make your dog stop barking", I hope you found this helpful and will recommend it to others.