Being the person in the neighborhood with the barking dog is something that no one wants. A barking dog can cause problems with neighbors who do not want to listen to it, and it can also cause a strain in the relationship between an individual and his pet.
There are methods for addressing this problem when a dog is barking excessively. And the old adage that you can not teach an old dog new tricks is incorrect, there are techniques to stop a barking dog that can be applied at any age.
Do Not Reward Excessive Dog Barking
When a dog begins barking it is doing so because it wants attention; do not let a dog think that by doing this it will get attention every time it wants it, which will only reinforce bad behavior and make the barking worse. Instead, completely ignore the dog when it starts barking to get attention, this will show it that barking will not work to gain a person’s attention.
Do not get mad at the dog either, this only heightens the excitement level and will make it bark more. Remain calm and do not make eye contact with the dog until it stops barking.
Use Healthy Dog Treats for Good Behavior
Once the dog has stopped barking and is calmed down then it can be rewarded with a healthy dog treat. This will reinforce good behavior in the dog as it will associate being quiet with getting a treat.
This can take some time for the dog to make the association, each dog is different so be patient and give it time.
Water Spritzers can Control Excessive Dog Barking
Many dogs like to swim in the water, however, they do not enjoy being spritzed in the face with water. Fill a small spritzer bottle with lukewarm water. When the unwanted barking begins, spritz the dog in the face with water and then tell it “no” in a calm assertive tone of voice.
This is an effective way to tell the dog that the barking is unwanted, and a few spritzes of water will not harm the dog in any way. Eventually, the dog will see the spritzer bottle and will stop the unwanted barking at the site of it.
Stopping Dog Barking Does Not Have to be Difficult
Excessive dog barking is something that can be controlled relatively easily. By following these guidelines listed anyone can stop a barking dog, even if the dog is older and has gotten used to barking when seeking attention.
The important thing to remember is to stay calm when correcting a dog’s behavior and remember it can take patience to get the desired behavior from a dog.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years, I’ve tried many different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have the utmost praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs absolutely love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that it requires a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
