My dogs bark at everything,how can I train them to stop?

Question

They're jack russells and their barking is becoming a problem. Can't even take them out without them terrifying people with their shrill yaps!

Answer 1

Training your dog to bark on command has another hidden feature - you can also train her to stop barking on command.
Instructions
STEP 1: Hold a particular toy, such as a ball or squeak toy that causes your dog to bark. Give the command BARK or SPEAK. STEP 2: When your dog barks say, GOOD. STEP 3: Give him the toy or food as a reward and praise him. STEP 4: Repeat steps 1 through 3 until your dog understands the command to bark. STEP 5: When your dog understands the command, command him to bark. STEP 6: After three barks say, QUIET or SILENCE or any other word(s) to command him not to bark. Praise and reward him with the toy. STEP 7: Repeat steps 5 and 6 until he understands the command. STEP 8: Instead of using a toy, have someone knock on the door and repeat steps 2 through 7, rewarding him with praise and affection when he succeeds. Tips & Warnings
Give unlimited praise when dog succeeds, every step of the way.

Answer 2

Try training discs or a rattle bottle. Basically something loud. Ig you use training discs (or a set of keys) as soon as they start barking throw the discs on the ground right in front of them - this should startle them out of barking. A rattle bottle (make by taking a small drinks bottle - empty - and put some dry food in. Shake and it should rattle) can be held and rattle as soon as they start - again it distracts. You could also use a water squirter - squirt upon barking - this doesn't work if your dog loves water - my collie thinks this is the best game in the world! With all of these as soon as the dog stops barking, lots of praise. The disadvantage of the discs is that you have to pick them up before you can use them again - the other two can be used right away again.

Answer 3

Basic Training of the Puppy - Read here https://tr.im/6ljiI

The new puppy is certainly one of the most adorable and cuddly creatures that has ever been created. It is the most natural thing in the world to shower it with love and affection. However, at the same time it is important to realize that if you want to have a well trained adult dog, you need to begin the training process right away. The dog, like its related ancestor, the wolf, is a pack animal. One of the features of a pack is that it has a single dominant leader. Your new puppy is going to want that leader to be you, but if you do not assume that role from the very beginning, the puppy’s instincts will push him to become the leader.

The most important thing to remember about training the puppy during its first six months of life is that it must see you as the leader of the family pack. The essential thing is gaining the trust and the respect of the puppy from the beginning. You will not do this by allowing the puppy to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it. On the other hand, a certain amount of patience is required. Most people err in their early training by going to extremes one way or the other. Although you need to begin the basic training process at once, you can not expect your dog to do too much at first. Basic obedience training is fine and should include simple commands like sit, stay, and come. Remember that trying to teach the dog advanced obedience techniques when it is a puppy is much like trying to teach a five year old child algebra.

It is also important to restrain from cruel or abusive treatment of the puppy. You can not beat obedience into your dog, and it certainly is not going to engender feeling of respect and trust. House breaking is an area where this usually becomes a problem because of the anger that is triggered when the puppy fails and creates a mess inside the home. Although this issue must be addressed without anger, it most be addressed. If you allow the puppy to eliminate inside the house, it will continue to do so as an adult dog. The same thing is true of other destructive or dangerous behavior such as chewing and biting. Do not expect the puppy to grow out of it. You are going to need to train the puppy out of it, but you should do so firmly but with a sense of play and fun using positive reinforcement and lots of love and praise for good behavior.

Answer 4

I agree with JB and Jane! I'm a dog obedience instructor and I've had dogs all my life (non of them were terrible barkers though) and I've read "The Dog Whisperer" by John Richardson and Lesly Sharon Cole and I've learnt sooooooo much more about dogs!!!
They could be doing this as a protection thing or an attention thing. By going out to them every time they bark and carry on is getting their attention, even if it's you growling at them.
Read up on what it means about being "Top Dog" to gain better control of your four legged friends to gain better overall behaviour from your dogs. Have a think about what could be stressing them out (what in your home / living arrangements have changed) and / or why they're seeking your attention so much.
If it does get desparate and all else fails, a friend of mine used a citronella collar on their dog. It was quite expensive but effective. Dogs HATE the smell of citrus. When they bark it squirts the spray. My friend's dog only needs to see the collar now and it's instantly quiet!
Good luck :)

Answer 5

Have you given them any sort of obedience training, as in "Sit", "Stay" etc?

If they have some obedience training and have become familiar with command words, you can use those words (to get control) along with treats (to make it fun and rewarding) to introduce new commands, such as "No barking" or "Quiet". It can be trained the same as "sit" and "stay" (just be sure to use treats and consistent use of the same word or phrase, reward immediately each time they obey etc).

Jack Russells are very smart and will learn quickly, but you have to work with them. They have to know that you are the boss, these are the rules, this is our routine, etc. Trust me, they will love the structure (most dogs do). Good luck!

Answer 6

I'm sorry that I don't know what it's called, but there is a gadget that you can get to attach to the dog's collar which makes an unpleasant noise at the dog's hearing level whenever it barks; if your local pet shop can't help then your vet probably can.
If you are in the UK then you could try www.petsupermarket.co.uk

Answer 7

Your dogs are defending your home (and you) by their barking. The problem is that they think they are "top dog" and need to defend the pack. You need to assert your dominance over the dogs through various methods. I'd recommend reading the book mentioned in sources, it'll improve your dogs' behaviour no end.

Answer 8

Watch "The Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Milan on National Geographic Channel - or check out his books at the library -
He's great for all dog behavioral issues:)

Answer 9

Don't know but suppose some kind of "aversion therapy" is the answer - and maybe rewards for being quiet. I will be checking the answers with interest - if only I could get my neighbours' dog to shut up!!

Answer 10

Have you tried ignoring the dog. They may just do it for attention, dogs like all attention good or bad! Ignore them when they bark then when they stop give them loads of attention. Try it work for me.