My dog barks a ton, what can I do to stop his barking?

Question

I have a small dog and he lives inside, he barks whenever we leave him alone, when one of us goes outside. He goes nuts if he gets near another dog! Is this bad, hes fairly new to the home, we got him in july of 2006. He's 6 years old.

We have 2 other dogs and he might be a little spoiled but he barked alot when we first got him too. I tell him stop alot, but it doesn't seem to work, if I put him outside or in his kennel, he barks more, I don't really want to get him a mussel or anything, is there any other way? ( HE BARKS A TON!!!!)

Right now he's barking and I'm inside, but the rest of my family is outside, and I'm trying to get him to stop barking but he only stops for a small period of time, how do I get him to stop barking at other dogs like my other 2?

Answer 1

This is a combination of separation anxiety and obedience training. You can work on the separation anxiety issues by simply reading up on them online. There is a lot of good advice on how to get him to adapt to being alone.

Then there's obedience training. He needs to stop barking when you say stop. One technique I've used is pennies in a can. Give the can one good shake (do NOT rattle it - just one loud shake). This will simulate the bark of an alpha dog and get his attention (he might even jump at it). Tell him "no!" in a firm voice (no screaming). When he stops barking, praise him. You'll have to repeat this enough until he learns that the can means no barking - you've had enough.

If this doesn't work, then, unfortunately, you will have to go to more extreme measures. A lot of people on here are very opposed to collars that spray or ever so slighly shock a dog (and I'm talking on a low setting) when he barks. But these peope either don't know about canine behavior (they try to put their human emotions onto a dog) and they never offer suggestions. I would try the spray collar first. It emits a spray when the dog barks. Dogs don't like this, so they stop barking. If this STILL doesn't work, you may then have to go to a shock collar. Start at the VERY low settings, where your dog will feel just a little something, but not much. Gradually increase the shock setting until he gets it. My trainer does recommend these collars ONLY if the dog fails to respond to more traditional command driven obedience training.

If all of this STILL doesn't work, then either you are doing something wrong or you have a very stubborn dog. You may need to consult a dog behavior specialist. But before using these collars or seeing a specialist, I strongly recommend obedience training as it teaches both your dog AND you. And please go for a full course, not just a token class or two.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You have a dog that loves you very much and jealousy goes with the turf. He barks when left alone because of what is called, "separation anxiety". Some dogs become destructive in this case and tear up furnishings to relieve their stress. Your dog reflects this issue, as do most, and will require training to let him know you are not going to leave him forever.
You could work with him by stepping out the door and returning after ever-increasing periods of time. When he does not bark and is calm, give him a treat. He needs to know that you will come "right back" and that he will be rewarded for calm behaviour. Repetition is the key, so it will take a lot of effort from you. But, it will be worth it when you see results.

Answer 3

he is suffering from dominance issues. when he barks when you leave it's because he believes he's the pack leader and when other subordinate members of his pack leave him then he goes crazy because in his mind his pack members don't leave him. Also you have to walk your dog. He's going stir crazy because he doesn't get enough exercise. He needs to experience new things and being in a yard all the time is not good for him. Only seeing the same thing day after day. He's bored.

Answer 4

He is surely suffering from separation anxiety. Do some reading online and research on steps to take regarding that subject. It's not going to happen overnight, and will take a lot of work on your part, but you can quiet your noisey dog in time.
Plus, whoever had him for his first 5 years of life obviously never taught him any different, ... now it's your job to teach this noisy guy when to tone it down.

Try talking to your vet, maybe she/he can suggest something to calm your barker down too. It sounds like a nervous condition/emotional problem that just yelling STOP will have no affect on. Please do NOT resort to a muzzle!!!! That will only INCREASE your dogs anxiety. He will be afraid of what you put on him, and probably get worse.... drooling, whining, scratching at his face, even hurting himself. Talk to your vet!

Answer 5

He is probably just spoiled (in a good way) from being inside all the time, and that probably means he is with you a lot, so when you leave he misses you and goes crazy. My dog barks a lot also, and just firmly tell him, STOP!! it normally works for me.
hope this helps.

Answer 6

Stare at him and sternly scold him, say "Enough!" or "Quiet!". If he starts when you go outside, rush back in and banish him to a dark closet. Or squirt a spray bottle of water at him. If you can't succeed in modifying his behavior enough so he doesn't bark constantly when you are not home, try a Gentle Spray bark collar.

Answer 7

Get another dog as his friend to keep him company. He just wants to be part of the family and wants to be close to you. Another dog will provide him with some company when you can't be there for him.

Answer 8

OK well get a steak and they will enjoy it they might want more so get milk-bones don't feed them to many or they will vomit so listen to me or a trainer and they will stop get allot of toys for them bye!

Answer 9

well, i had a chi hua hua that used to always bark and jump around, so i took off my belt(red dickies belt with metal tip) and i put it in between my toes. chi chi licked in between my toes until they got wrinkly. she never barked since...hehe

Answer 10

train him if he wont listen then ur a bad owner. i would be imbarrased to even say that on this r u my next door neibor my dog just ignores u u do know that right?