whats the best way to stop a dog barking?

Question

every time i leave the house my dog barks for hours. the neighbours are going crazy. please HELP!!!!

Answer 1

Some simple things to try

Some dogs just don't want you to go out. Get your dog used to the idea that you are away for different periods of time at different times of the day. That way he might not be so concerned each time you leave. And don't make a fuss of your dog when you leave him.

Try putting your dog on his own in another room - at first for a few minutes, then gradually build up the time you leave your dog alone. Do not return to your dog until he is quiet for a period. When you return, praise him.

Some dogs will bark because they want to join in what's going on outside. If this is the problem, try leaving your dog so that he cannot see outside.

Some dogs will settle only if they can hear a human voice. Leaving a radio on at low volume might help. But make sure the radio is not too loud. You don't want to have complaints about that!

Try not to leave your dog for long periods. If you have to, see if there is someone who can look in during that time. Maybe that person could take your dog for a walk or let him out into the garden, if you have one.

If you have to leave your dog for long periods:



feed and exercise him before you go out and leave him some fresh water.
make sure his bed or basket is comfortable and leave him his favourite toys.
check that the room is not hot or too cold and that there is adequate ventilation.


and if you aren't coming back until after dark, leave a light on.

Some other points

If you do keep your dog outside, think carefully about where you put his kennel and where he can run. Try not to put it near your neighbour's fence of where your dog will be tempted to bark.

Don't blame the dog and think that you will solve everything by replacing him with another. It probably will not, unless you change your lifestyle at the same time.

Getting a second dog for company might help. But think about this carefully. Do you have the space and can you afford a second dog? Another dog could result in more not less problems.

Answer 2

Start by determining why your dog is barking so much. The most common reasons for dogs to bark for prolonged periods of time are boredom and loneliness. Dogs also bark during play, for attention (aside from loneliness, more a "hey look at me!" type of barking), to communicate, and to alert if a stranger or scary object is nearby. If it's a dog, it's more than likely that it will bark.

Possible methods to get him to stop barking so much:

1) Crating your dog while you are gone
2)Leave the radio on, or the television, to give your dog a sense of company and normalcy.
3) Give your dog something to occupy him while you are gone. A Buster Cube, or a stuffed Kong works well as a time-consuming, entertaining toy.
4) A companion. Two dogs will often keep each other company and entertained when alone, although I really don't recommend this option unless you are prepared to deal with all that having two dogs (or more) entails.
5) Doggy Daycare

I also highly suggest investing in a dog training video or book. If you can afford it I also recommend obedience training for you and your dog. It's just as important for you to learn how to interact with your dog as it is for him to learn proper behavior.

Answer 3

Our dog does exactly the same and we have tried everything . When we are in the dog stays by the front door just waiting for the next thing to bark at , theres an air vent next to the door and she's so damned nosey she sniffs the incoming air and even barks at that when she smells peoples perfume/deodourant.When the doorbell rings she goes nuts , and when we answer the door we cant get her away from it no matter how we try.

we have left her food in her dish,a toy to play with,even left the radio on to give her a feeling of "company" but NOTHING we have tried has worked ..... Luckily our neighbours havent complained about the dog barking while we're in ( let alone out) ..... I'm guessing your dog is much like ours ...just loves attention all the freaking time !!!

Answer 4

You can purchase a humane collar that will send a high pitch sound to the dog that stops it from barking...BUT don't forget barking is your dogs voice, so don't over use it....My Mum had one for her collie who was barking constantly and upsetting the neighbours and it worked for her, she allows the dog to bark at some stages through the day/evening so using the collar only to curtail the barking NOT stop it all together

Answer 5

Your dog is stressed about being left alone. Try to leave a radio on for him on a quiet talk station - I use Radio 4 in the UK. Leave him with a cosy den that has your scent in it, a worn unwashed t-shirt is ideal. Make sure he is well exersized and tired, not full of beans, and give him some dog chews.
You don't say how long you leave him but some dogs cannot tolerate being left for more than 4 hours. There is a training routine you can use, it's the treatment for 'seperation anxiety' and works well for this. It basically involves you teaching your dog how you want him to behave when you're ignoring him.

Please take him to dog training classes, or see your vet for a referral to a canine behavioural trainer. They only work on referral from a vet.

Answer 6

I have learn ed that they respond by your responding... every time your dog barks (at home) you respond in some way..we communicate with noise and think that when our pet makes noise they have something to say...and that becomes a tool with your dog...remember your dog is at the same mental level as a 3 year old child...u need to ignore your dogs barking as signs of feed me and walk me or let me in... you have made this his example of "something is lacking pay attention to me" I have watched this in my own dog and it has become a nuisance. Get mad and ignore it..send it away when it barks and it will learn eventually...depending on breed, it can take up to 100 times for certain breeds to learn a command that is actually the AKC intelligence meter(look them up American Kennel Club) We call my dog number 57 because that is what the average is for his breed to absorb a command.....most of all be patient...apologize to your neighbours, and as long as it is not barking between 8:00a.m. and 21:00 p.m. they will have to put up with it...
also if you are leaving your dog alone for more than 8 hours at a time, you are looking for trouble...he needs attention..also if he is a puppy everything I have said is to be ignored........you are obligated then to supply comfort and reassurance at least every 4-6 hours..if u can't,then find a better home or a babysitter,things will get much worse if you don't.

Answer 7

I have a barker too. We have a bark collar which delivers a mild shock when he barks. I hate putting it on him but its really effective and the only thing that works. He's a lab and we have another lab to keep him company and she rarely barks.

There are many brands on the market. Just search "bark collars". The other option is training, if he/she is still young enough to train (mine was a rescue dog and he was older when we got him --- but I adore him barking and all). Good luck.

Answer 8

The best way: I have tested it... make a roll out of paper (newspaper etc.) , then smash it next to him every time he barks (just wait outside until he barks and then go inside and do this)... BUT BE CAREFUL! it should not hit the dog ..otherwise he will become depressed.... this is gonna work! I bet.... just do it for a few times and see the results...

Answer 9

Plenty of exercise is a good place to start, and then leave a chew toy like a stuffed kong which will keep your dog occupied for hours. Also try to determine if there is anything that triggers your dogs barking - is it a neighbours dog, people walking past or just the fact that you are gone?

Try this article for some more ideas - http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/how-to-stop-your-dog-from-barking.html

Good luck!

Answer 10

sion, to give your dog a sense of company and normalcy.
3) Give your dog something to occupy him while you are gone. A Buster Cube, or a stuffed Kong works well as a time-consuming, entertaining toy.
4) A companion. Two dogs will often keep each other company and entertained when alone, although I really don't recommend this option unless you are prepared to deal with all that having two dogs (or more) entails.
5) Doggy Daycare