Above all else, you must understand that you can never completely stop a dog from barking, unless you inflict the stress and pain of an anti-bark collar, which will fix quickly (but at what price?) your problem. On the other hand, if you want to understand why your dog barks constantly and succeed in limiting his barking by gentle and respectful methods for your dog, here are the real solutions to your problem
Understanding why my dog barks
Before stopping a dog from barking, do you still need to understand why he acts this way and identify what drives him to adopt this behavior which can, I grant you, be a bit annoying.
To understand, you have to ask yourself three simple questions:
- Is it punctual or untimely?
- Is my dog spending enough?
- What are the triggers?
At the end of this questioning, the result is clear:
- either your dog barks from time to time and this is completely normal since it is a means of communication (among others) for him,
- or it's excessively in which case, it hides a malaise (anxiety, frustration, demand for attention, etc.),
- either your dog is bored, is not stimulated enough and then uses barking to externalize and let off steam his overflowing energy,
- either your dog has a very (too) marked guarding instinct and/or a very strong reactivity (notably due to a lack of socialization) and barks at the slightest noise that he considers suspicious.
Find suitable solutions
To each problem its solution, it is therefore necessary to target the heart of the problem to find the best possible solution. To do this, it is sometimes necessary to call on a dog behaviorist trainer to help you solve your problem.
But in any case, here are some avenues in which you will inevitably find answers and above all solutions to improve your dog's daily life:
Identify and positively trigger triggers
If your dog barks to warn you of danger, it's rather a good thing, but if he barks at the slightest dead leaf flying in front of your window, it's much less useful.
You must identify the element or elements that trigger your dog's barking and then make them as positive as possible using activities that your dog loves so that he assimilates the situation that triggers him, to a situation that he appreciates and in which he feels good
Let me explain: dogs are afraid of what they don't know. Fear is expressed differently in each dog, but often barking is the first shield they take out to protect themselves. Thus, if your puppy has not, until he is about 3 months old, had a maximum of positive experiences, heard lots of different noises, met a multitude of individuals, etc. he will not have enough resources, baggage and perspective necessary to judge the dangerousness or, on the contrary, the banality of a situation.
In any case, for the desensitization and positive habituation processes, it is recommended to seek professional help. Simply to avoid aggravating the problem. The slightest mistake can actually cause your dog to be even more reactive.
Spending your dog
The basis, to avoid excessive behavior of a dog, is to meet his needs. A dog who is sufficiently spent does not need to express in an insistent and often disturbing way that he is too full of energy.
So keep your dog busy, spend it, offer it stimulating activities like:
- walks outside the garden every day, several times a day (morning and evening)
- occupational and intelligence toys at home: kong, course/treat search, search mat, etc.
- learning tricks,
- The practice of a sports activity: cani-cross, agility, treibball, ring, obé-rhythm, flyball, tracking, etc.
Teach him the “shut up” sign
Finally, you can also teach your dog to be quiet. But beware, this can only work if the two previous tips have also been followed and applied.
Indeed, asking a dog to be quiet when barking seems to be the only possible way out of his discomfort for him, it's a bit limited you will agree!
To teach a dog to be quiet, the best solution is to teach him to bark. If so, I assure you, it is a technique in its own right. In short: when your dog barks, tell him “bark” (you can even add a gesture with your hand) and give him a treat. Repeat this several times. When he stops, say "stop" or "shut up" (the word doesn't matter as long as it's still the same) and give him a treat.
It's a bit like a game of self-control where you turn on and off the button which, here, corresponds to your dog's bark.
Here, the most important thing is to play on the intonations so that your dog really understands the message you want to convey to him: “bark” in a high tone and “shut up” in a firm tone and serious. Do not hesitate to exaggerate your posture as well as your intonation so that the nuance is real.
Not responding to all his requests for attention
Finally, it can happen that a dog understands that barking is a very good way to attract the attention of his master. He then uses and abuses this technique to obtain all the favors of his human. In this case, it is important that you are patient and determined, completely ignoring your dog. To ignore a dog is, I remind you, not to look at it, not to touch it or talk to it.
Attention, this approach only works if, at the same time, you initiate contacts and spend your dog correctly (as seen previously).
If after a few days, having maintained this attitude, your dog gradually stops barking, it's because his barking was simply a way of getting your attention.
To conclude
Here is a summary of the good and on the contrary bad things to do in order to prevent your dog from barking:
What not to do:
- Scream louder than him to silence him,
- Inflict an anti-bark collar,
- Scolding him when he expresses his discomfort,
- Systematically respond to his requests for attention.
What to do:
- Understand why he barks,
- Reinforce good behaviors,
- Spend it physically, mentally, socially and olfactorily,
- Divert him to an activity he enjoys,
- Call a professional if needed.