my dog just wont shut up barking?

Question

he is really doing my head in how can i get him to stop apart from giving him a slap

i woud,nt really slap him its just a phrase

Answer 1

Barking starts from when they were a pup it probably got your attention that way. If you let him/she into the house because it was barking ,has taught it that if he/she barks it will get rewarded.
I have a 17wk old springer and she got into a habit of barking so we were advised by our dog trainer to use an anti dog collar which has worked wonders.it gives them a little shock every time they bark (it doesn't hurt them) after a while they stop.
if you are not keen on that i idea then the other way is to ignore him when he comes up to you and barks when he doesn't bark fuss him/her and praise.A dog is like a child the more you praise and fuss the better they want to please.
I hope this is useful if not try going on the net for dog behaviour training courses they are useful. good luck hope you get it sorted

Answer 2

My first Question is if you imagined your family ( with the dog) as a wolf pack who would be the dominant member of the pack. From what little you are saying I suspect you might release it is your beloved dog. You need to change this so your dog knows it is at teh bottom of the pack not the top.
As others have suggested use a squirt of water as a gentle punishment. But also look at your behaviour it is likely you may well be rewarding your four legged mate for barking. For example if you throw him a bone or give him food to shut him up you have effectely told him barking gets you nice things. Monitor his/her behaviour and when he/she is not barking and only provide a reward then (be warned shouting can be a reward if the dog thinks your are ignoring it), but don't use food. May be be saying good boy Girl, or giving a long tummy tickle or playing with him or her would be more suitable. The basic principle is to teach your dog when I'm quiet good things happen.

If you don't like squirting water, then punish him by turning your back on him this is ignoring dog style. ( be about a metre or 2 away) and only turn to face him/her when the barking stops. You will know if this is having an effect if he/she tcomes up to you or comes around in front of you( or beside you) and trys to gain eye contact. don't give any eye contact or verbal acknowledgement until the barking stops and or the dog rolls over on to its side or back ( showing submission).

Answer 3

It may well be that you have an appliance in the house that is giving off a frequency pitch so high that although YOU can't hear it, HE can, and it will be hurting him like hell, so go around and switch off every appliance one at a time to see if this may be the cause, including any MP3 players and computer equipment.

If you have no joy with that, take him to see a vet because he may have a hearing problem.

Don't slap the poor the hound for it, they only bark when they are trying to alert you to something.

Answer 4

Dont ever hit your dog!
how would you like it if someone hit you every time you spoke??

when your dog is barking get his attention with something else, a toy? or have a game of tugger?
Shouting at your dog will only make it worse as he will think your just joining in the fun!
try to find out why he is barking, is it to get your attention?
are you not giving him the same amount of your time as you were before?
are you not walking him enough?
is it when someone walks past?
can he see other dogs?
is he bored?

get lots of stimulation toys such as kongs that reward play with treats, this should keep him busy for a while,

when he is barking, get up, leave the room, give him no attention what so ever, if he is doing it for attention he will soon get the message, but when he is quiet you must lavish him with praise.

have a game with him where you allow him to vocalise, tell him to be quiet and when he does give him a treat.

good luck!

Answer 5

Get a cat ! Sorry just a little early morning humor ! Dogs normally are just like kids perhaps he needs more attention, affection , or discipline . I've heard that sometimes and this sounds pretty weird at first { but I saw it demonstrated } the thing is you have to prove to the dog that you are the leader of the pack. meaning without being cruel , get in between him/her and whatever they are barking and take charge . Don't back down . Good luck.

Answer 6

It is easy to attribute "nuisance barking" to popular causes such as boredom, lack of exercise or breed type. As a consequence, incorrect advice may be given and a lack of success in treating the problem may result in euthanasia of the dog or relocation of it with its unresolved problem.

As with fear biting, it is essential that the correct cause of the barking be identified.

A very brief overview of the possibilities is:

Breeding… while excessive barking is more likely to develop in some breeds than others, it is usually an acquired behaviour which can occur in any breed or either sex of dog. Early socialisation to people and dogs is essential and if the dog is to be left alone then it should be slowly conditioned to this from an early age.

External distractions… once a dog barks excessively at passing distractions, it is very difficult to eliminate such behaviour and the only hope of a solution may be to alter the situation that leads to it happening in the first place.

Anxiety… can result from an unstable dominant/subordinate relationship between two dogs in the same household or from the type and intensity of the owner's relationship with the dog. Sudden changes in a dog's life can also cause anxiety related barking, e.g. the arrival of a new baby in the household.

Visitor/ watchdog… dogs can be trained to bark appropriately and on command.

Boredom/isolation… dogs are social animals and are not suited to life on their own for long periods. Company can be provided by taking the dog to a dog-sitter or getting another dog.

Attention seeking… attention seeking barking can become self- reinforcing because the owner doesn't want to ignore the barking. Yet to pay attention to the barking teaches the dog that barking can be rewarding.

Consistency in ignoring the excessive barking is difficult but should pay off.

Other behavioural problems… obedience training may be needed to teach the dog to heed the owners commands before the barking problem itself can be tackled.

There are a range of treatment options for owners. Basically an activity and exercise programme combined with obedience training should be an integral part of any attempt to reduce a dog's "nuisance barking". It is the degree of control an owner has of his/her dog that assists in the successful application of an appropriate treatment programme for "nuisance barking".

is he outside alone then put a radio or something on thats what i used to do with my dog but now hes inside!! good luck and hope this helps any way

Answer 7

dont slap him! my god that will make it worse and you can be reported for animal cruelty. Ignore the dog when it barks, its doing it to gain your attention the same way a child does when it screams and cries during a tantrum. Praise the dog when it is quiet and dont give it a reason to go off on one at you or anyone else, remember you are the master of the home, not the dog

Answer 8

Never hit or slap the dog, it will make him mean and it will not work.
Try NO everytime he barks, be consistant he will eventually get it. Try taking him by the collar and looking at him in the eye when you say NO Sternly..This works for my little guy..it will take time and consistancy is the key
Also get a small water bottle and everytime he barks squirt him at his face level.He will not like this.Keep the bottle handy chances are he will behave when he sees the bottle.

Answer 9

Take him to obedience training. Do the training yourself under supervision so he learns to mind you, not the person who trained him. There are a lot of classes available, from the SPCA, the Red Cross sometimes, etc. Ask your local SPCA or Animal Control officer, they'll be glad to inform you.
A dog can be trained to bark when you want it to (like if they hear someone at the door or outside), and to be quiet. All it takes is a little practice and help on your part.

Answer 10

Slapping your dog is the absolute wrong thing to do!

The best thing to do is to get a bark collar... it's kind of expensive but it works.. If the spraying him with the water does not work.