Barking is a dog’s way of communicating with us; we just need to figure out what they are saying. Pinpointing the reason behind a dog’s bark moves us one step closer to controlling it.

Some of the most common reasons that a dog barks are:

• Being Alone. Most animals do not care to be left alone in the backyard in the house all day. Some dogs get anxiety over being left, with fear that the owner will never return being their paramount concern.
• Lack of Exercise. Animals with excess energy may bark in order to relieve their frustrations. Those that have had the proper amount of activity will normally just sleep when left alone.
• Mixed Messages. The owner may have inadvertently training the animal to bark. By rewarding your pet if the dog barks at strangers, barks to go out, or barks at odd noises, you are communicating to them that barking is the appropriate response in any situation. In essence the dog barks whenever he deems it to be necessary. Most often, the owner will respond by giving the dog attention or putting him out, wither way the animal got what he wanted.

They are several useful methods available to stop the barking dog. First and foremost, make you that your dog has had proper exercise, meaning interactively. Take him for a walk or to the park. Dogs want your companionship, not a yard viewed as solitary confinement. Your dog is your friend, so treat him as such. When you are home, make sure he is treated as part of your family, not isolated outside or in another room. It is important to remember that dogs are social creatures and need to know where their place is in the “pack”.

Assuming that the animal is properly exercised and socialized, there are corrective measures that can stop the persistent barker. There are positive reinforcement methods that can help. Tell the dog “be quiet” while presenting the animal with a treat. The treat should distract him from barking, and simultaneously reward him for stopping. He will soon learn to associate not barking with the reward. Remember to praise your animal when he is quiet. Giving attention at this time will deter him from barking in order to garner it.

There are training devices that can also aid in your quest for quiet. Electric collars that sense the vibrations from the dog’s bark will shock the dog until he stops. There are similar negative reinforcement devices such as the citronella collar, which will emit a spray of citronella to distract the animal every time he barks. These methods can be successful if used properly.

Teaching a dog to stop barking will require patience and consistency on your part. It may take some time to get the desired results, but both you and your pet will be better off.