Breaking the Barking Habit

While barking can be helpful if there is an intruder in your home, it can also be irritating. Barking is completely normal behavior for dogs, but it can be helpful to teach your pup to not bark at everything. Here are some tips on what to do to break the barking habit!

Contact Your Vet

If your furry friend has a barking problem, tell your vet. Many have experience in behavior and can offer suggestions on what to do. There can health problems that cause barking as well, such as pain, vision, or hearing problems, so you’re vet can point those out if necessary. Your vet can also prescribe medication if your dog is barking because they are anxious.

Keep a Bark Diary

Write down everything that your dog barks at. If you feel your dog is barking at everything, this will help determine what is causing the barking. Consider asking your neighbors to do this too, so you know what they’re barking at when you’re not home.

Stopping the Barking

If you go out to yell at your pup after they bark, you are encouraging the behavior. To make them stop, you must completely ignore it. Look away and do not speak after the bark. The barking may temporarily increase while you do this, but then it will stop.

Bark Collars

The most common type of bark collar is the Husher, which stops your dog from barking, but allows them to pant and eat. It can be used as a training aid, which you use when you’re not home. Punishment is generally frowned upon, but this can be a quick fix if you are receiving noise complaints.

Chewing and Exercise

Getting you dog busy and active is always a good bet to get the barking to stop. A tired dog is a happy dog that won’t bark. Chewing on a toy also releases happy hormones and keeps your dog busy and not barking.

No matter what method you choose, these tips should help you stop your pup’s barking!