what can stop my dog from barking?

Question

what works best?! collars?

Answer 1

Proper training for both the owner and the dog.

Answer 2

It depends on why the dog is barking - boredom, alerting, defensiveness, excitement, to get attention? If you know why the dog is barking, control the situation. For example, if the dog is bored, exercise him more, give him interesting toys (food-stuffed Kongs, IQubes, etc.), keep him entertained.

If he is barking for attention, ignore him until he is quiet.

If he is barking because he hears something outside, tell him "quiet" after a few barks, then call him away from the door or window and have him lie down. Tell him everything is fine - not in a soothing tone but a statement of fact. He should stop barking when he sees that you have taken care of the "danger."

Aggressive and defensive barking, or barking due to separation anxiety, should be discussed with a trainer or behaviorist.

Collars should only be used as a last resort or if the dog is barking just to hear himself bark (very rare). Otherwise, you are only treating the symptom and not the problem. And if you do use a collar, use a citronella one, not a shock collar which is downright cruel.

Answer 3

Collars do work, but you might also want to try exercising your dog. It is obvious that your dog is bored. Although you didn't provide any details about why he barks, but a dog that barks constantly is an obvious sign that he is bored. Dogs that stay outdoors might sometimes bark because of stray dogs/cats that show up to the property in the middle of the night. Give your dog a daily 40min-1 hour walk. Also, if he has prey drive (likes to chase balls), play with him for a few minutes throughout the day by tossing a few balls for him in your backyard or something. My Malinois is VERY energetic, and this is how I get him tired.If your dog is a low energy dog, then a daily 40min-1hour walk should do the trick. If you've provided exercise, and your dog still won't stop barking, then you might want to go and check what the heck he's barking at. I remember my dogs would always bark at night. One night, I just had enough of it, an decided to check in what direction they were barking. Took a good look, and it was a stray cat that used to sleep in a camper shell that we had laying in the front yard. I had to always chase the cat away a couple times during the day. Ever since I started chasing the cat away, I guess it decided that it was time to stay else where because my dogs' barking was greatly reduced.

Answer 4

Firstly I would find a trainer in your area, preferably one who teaches positive reenforcement. A sign of a dog barking could be that he is bored - does he get regular exercise? What reaction does he get when he barks, do people call out to him? If so, stop! Ignore him. By barking and people reacting to it, no matter if its a smack (hopefully not!) or anything, its a sign that he has one and he is getting the attention he is asking for.

You can either:

a) try to ignore the barking - he will eventually see that he is no longer getting the reaction he is after and will get bored and do something else. It is a good idea to get Kong toys and set up a rope on a spring for him to keep him occupied. If he is quiet for five minutes, go outside and praise him and pay him attention. Whenever he is noisy, he doesn't get attention, when he is quiet, he will.

b) shake a can with rocks in it whenever he barks - this is a way for him to be taught not to bark without you or your family being associated with the noise (be sure to be out of sight but be in an area where he can hear the can be shaken). When he starts barking, shake the can - he should be startled by the loud noise and stop. Keep this up. Again, when he is noisy, don't give him attention, when he is quiet, praise him and play with him.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Most dogs bark out of boredom, they are trying to tell you that they want to play and be near you. After all, you brought them to you, so you should offer as much play time as possible. Collars can work, but you have to train the dog, so you might as well train it to behave properly and offer it attention.

Answer 6

Paying attention to him, not leaving him outside all day, removing the distractions, or putting a visual barrier between the dog and the object that he is barking at, not allowing neighborhood children to tease him, making him a part of your family and your life and giving him love and attention, socializing him, bringing him places with you, enrolling him in obedience, finding things for him to do so he's not bored...

Answer 7

get him a bark collar,or put him in right when he starts barking.But i think bark collars work best.

Answer 8

If your dog is barking to much, you can go to a Pet Store and purchase a muzzle for a dog. They have them in Nylon and or electronic. I am sure they will explain the difference of which one would be best for your pet.

Answer 9

If he is not hungry,wanting out to go,playing,or telling you someone is outside your door,I'm at a loss.They usually bark to get the owners attention,all mine have.Try finding out, the call the vet and see what he says.You can punish them by putting him in time out, in his crate.Hope it gets better.

Answer 10

get the book by ceasar millan. he is the best about dog behavior. he also has a show on national geographic which is awesome.