7 Steps To Breaking Your Dog's Barking Habit

Barking is a dog's way of communicating. When a dog is anxious, wants its owner's attention, or is excited, it will bark. Just as humans talk to each other to communicate, dogs bark to talk to their owners and other dogs.

Barking is a normal behavior for dogs, but sometimes a dog's bark can be quite loud. If you want your dog to stop barking excessively, there are a few things you can do. Follow these steps to get your four-legged friend to stop barking step by step.

Why do dogs bark?

People express themselves through talking, laughing, screaming, and whispering, and dogs express themselves by barking. Dogs are very similar to humans in that they both express their feelings and emotions clearly. One difference is that dogs bark louder than humans. Another difference is that barking dogs don't necessarily bite, they just want to communicate something. If you listen carefully to your little four-legged friend, you can discover six different forms of barking. Any reason for barking requires a specific approach. If you want to stop your dog from barking, you must first find out what is causing the barking.

Learn your dog's language

There are six different reasons why dogs bark:

• The excitement barking
  If you come home after a long day at work and your dog is excited to see you, they may bark enthusiastically with a high tone. This is how you can recognize a joyful bark.
  
  
• The alarm barking
  Dogs are alert by nature. If something unexpected happens or your dog gets scared, he will bark to warn other dogs or his owner. If you want to turn your dog into a real guard dog, you can teach him to bark in case of (imminent) danger.
  
  
• The fear barking
  If a dog is stressed, he will show it by barking high - and sometimes hysterically. The cause of the stress varies from dog to dog. It could be caused by an encounter with people they do not know, exciting objects, or the fear of being left alone.
  
  
• The protective barking
  Dogs are real guard animals. They defend their owners, protect their toys, or something they find tasty. The protective bark, which is often accompanied by growls and baring of teeth, is an expression of fear. It is also a way of chasing someone or an animal away.
  
  
• The boredom barking
  Even dogs get frustrated sometimes. barking can be a little distracting In a situation where a dog is not comfortable, e.g. if he is alone for a long time. This restless form of barking, in which the animal sometimes lets off steam with a stuffed animal out of boredom, means that the dog is feeling stressed.
  
  
• The learned barking
  Dogs are smart. They realize that barking gets them what they want and use it to their advantage. Dogs also bark to get attention from their owners.

Break the barking habit

Dogs bark to communicate. Though you may not want to entirely stop your dog from barking, it shouldn't become an irritating habit. If your dog barks more than you'd like, try out these seven tips to help stop the unwanted barking. These tips and tricks work on both puppies and adult dogs.

1. Keep calm!

If a dog is barking, there is likely a reason for it. Try to stay calm and avoid speaking loudly, as this will only make the dog think you are joining in on the barking.

2. Reward good behavior

The best way to get your dog to stop barking is to start by teaching them the quiet command. You can do this by rewarding them when they listen carefully. Once they get the hang of it, the barking will eventually stop.

3. Create distraction

If you're having trouble teaching your dog a command, try distracting him as soon as he starts barking. You can do this by grabbing or dropping his favorite toy.

4. Set standards

Before you leave the house, take your dog on a brisk walk or play wild games. As soon as you step out the door, your little four-legged friend will curl up in his basket and take a nap.

5. Offer protection

A dog's territorial instinct kicks in when it perceives a potential threat. The dog will bark louder the more it feels endangered. To reduce the amount of times your dog feels the need to bark, consider raising the height of your garden fence and adding curtains to your windows.

6. Be quick

The key to breaking a dog's habit of barking is to act quickly. The sooner a dog understands that barking is undesirable, the sooner it will learn what you want it to do.

7. Behavior therapy

If you're struggling to control your dog's barking, your dog insurance may cover the cost of behavior therapy if your veterinarian makes a referral.

Conclusion

It takes time, training, and practice to break a dog's barking habit. The most important tip is to stay calm. If you as the owner panic or start to shout, you can expect a similar reaction from your dog. Also, don't forget to reward every step in the right direction with treats.