Lately, there’s no peace around your furry friend.
They bark at everything they hear and see.
And this behavior keeps getting worse as days go by.
So now, you might be frustrated and wondering…
“Are there effective ways to curb excessive barking asap?”
Keep reading to discover:
- 9 proven steps to stop your dog from barking in 7 days.
- 9 common mistakes to avoid when curbing this behavior.
- 9 possible scenarios of dogs barking and different ways to stop them.
- 11 things to remember and 7 troubleshooting tips to end a dog’s barking.
- And so much more…
Can you train a dog to stop barking?
You can train a dog to stop barking with rewards, the right timing, and patience. Usually, you may teach them the cue to “speak” and be “quiet” to let them know when to bark. And that keeping silent earns them a prize like treats or praises. But you can distract them with noises or commands as well.
Also, you can introduce a new way of communication besides barking.
For example, if your dog wants to go outside, teach them to sit quietly beside the door. Or ring a bell and wait for you to take them outdoors.
But wait. Before we dive more into these…
Let’s look at the possible causes behind your Fido’s loud behavior.
23 real reasons why dogs bark
- Fear.
- Stress.
- Anxiety.
- Attention.
- Jealousy.
- Boredom.
- Greetings.
- Frustration.
- Loneliness.
- Pain/illness.
- Excitement.
- Hungry/thirsty.
- Alarm barking.
- Asking for help.
- ‘Social barking.’
- Invitation to play.
- Separation anxiety.
- Protective instincts.
- Resource guarding.
- For communication.
- Reinforced behavior.
- Hate being stared at.
- Innate behavior (vocal breed).
9 common mistakes when teaching your dog to stop barking
#1: Yelling at them
“Shhh! Quiet now! Quiet!”
You tell these to your furry friend to curb their barking.
But despite raising your voice so many times…
It doesn’t faze your Fido by a bit.
Instead, they sound even louder than before.
Now, what’s going on?
When frustrated, some people tend to shout to control a situation.
Say if they want others to listen to them or force them into submission.
However, your dog doesn’t understand what you’re trying to do.
First, they might think you’re only joining in the fun.
Your scolding may translate to “Keep it up!” or “Good job!”
Which then motivates them to bark even more.
Second, dogs learn by association.
So if you say “Quiet!” every time your furry friend barks…
They may link it to the behavior and think it’s the cue to speak.
Third, same with humans…
This method only causes long-term fear and stress in Fidos.
One study shows that raising your voice at dogs affects their mental health.
As a result, they perform worse than furry pals trained using rewards.
Also, punished dogs show more signs of stress, like:
- Panting.
- Yawning.
- Lip licking.
Plus, their saliva has higher ‘cortisol’ or stress hormones too.
And that’s why yelling won’t stop your dog from barking.
Instead, it’ll worsen their behavior.
Note: Aside from the things I listed above, watch out for the other stress signals below.
- Shaking.
- Drooling.
- Freezing.
- Being destructive.
- Scratching themselves.
#2: Giving treats while they’re not calm yet
As soon as your dog barks…
You might give them a yummy treat to divert their attention.
At first, this might seem effective as the barking stops right away.
Well. Your Fido can’t do both things at the same time. Vocalizing and munching on snacks.
So as soon as your furry friend finishes their food…
They’ll continue their barking frenzy again. And they’ll also do it whenever they like.
Now, what’s the reason for this?
It’s because you’re giving your Fido treats while they bark – not when they’re quiet.
Thus, they’ll think you’re rewarding them for barking. Which will motivate your pooch to beg and yap until you give them food.
#3: Rewarding your dog at the wrong timing
This is one of the most common training mistakes.
It’s only right to reward your dog for their good behavior.
But if you do it even a few seconds late, it can reinforce the wrong one.
In this case…
You may accidentally reward your Fido as soon as they bark again. And not when they calm down.
Then if you keep doing this, you’ll encourage your dog to bark more.
#4: Giving them attention
If your dog comes and barks directly at you…
They likely want something.
But if they’re not hungry or in the mood to play, they only want your attention.
So if you stroke, look at, or talk to them at that moment…
You’ll only reward them for barking.
What to do?
Ignore your dog as they ‘demand bark.’
You’ll know this if they let out medium-pitched noises spaced at intervals.
Some Fidos may even cry while carrying their toy to grab attention.
Now, if this is the case, only look or talk to your pooch once they become quiet.
If you’re sitting, stand up.
Then turn around or walk away if they keep barking at you.
#5: Comforting them immediately
If your barking dog seems scared, you may try to calm them down by stroking their back or belly. As well as by speaking to them too sweetly.
Although your Fido will appreciate this gesture…
They might also view it as a reward. Which makes them think that barking’s a desired behavior.
Note: Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell whether a dog barks due to fear or attention seeking. Thus, watch out for these common signs of anxiety:
- Hiding.
- Pacing.
- Panting.
- Shaking.
- Tail-tucking.
#6: Chasing your noisy dog
You may sometimes get frustrated.
So you’ll come rushing to your Fido, who has been barking at the window nonstop.
But as you go near them, they might run away from you.
Then without you knowing…
This setup suddenly became a game of chase.
And since it’s thrilling for your pooch, they may bark again when bored to make you follow them around.
Thus, your dog will continue barking with this method.
#7: Repeating cue words
It’s known that our furry friends learn by repetition.
For instance, you must train your dog daily to teach them a command.
And you have to do it many times until they connect the word to the correct action.
But for this to be effective, you should only say the cue once. Or else you’ll confuse your dog.
Also, they might associate the word with another behavior.
So, if you’re the type to say “Quiet!” or “Calm!” many times in a row…
Your dog will only be confused. And you won’t stop their barking no matter how often you tell them so.
#8: Not keeping your cool
Did you know that dogs can sense your emotions?
A study found they could do it by looking at your face. And also by listening to the tone of your voice.
For example, your Fido knows you’re upset if you have a frowning face and a loud voice. As well as a tensed jaw and body.
And they’ll base these on their daily observations of you.
Besides this, one research shows that dogs can sniff emotional responses like stress.
It says that canines were 93.75% accurate in the tests.
And they can detect stress in people’s sweat and breath.
Thus, even if you’re not yelling at your pooch…
They might still catch on to your frustration and get anxious. Which doesn’t help in teaching your dog to stop barking.
#9: Punishing your Fido physically
Lastly, laying your hands on your dog’s never right.
I know that excessive barking’s annoying.
Also, you might think there’s no way to stop it when training doesn’t go as planned.
But punishing your Fido physically will only do more harm than good.
And here are some of the reasons why.
First, your pooch will be more fearful.
If you hit them, they’ll associate you with pain. Which then breaks their trust and damages your bond.
Second, this fear may result in stress or anxiety.
Third, studies say that punishments (e.g., kicking, hitting) can lead to aggression in dogs.
Fourth, your Fido won’t learn the desired behavior.
Punishing them at the right time may teach them not to bark excessively.
But still, your dog doesn’t know what they should do instead. So they’ll try other things and make training harder.
Also, if you punished them a few seconds later…
Your pooch won’t make the correct associations. Which will only confuse them.
And these are the reasons why you should never hit your dog.
If you want to learn more, check this out next: 27 Common Dog Training Mistakes + Fixes
When should you start training your dog to stop barking?
You should start training your dog to stop barking if the behavior becomes excessive. Say if they’ve been doing it for long periods. Which can be a nuisance for you and your neighbors.
“Can I get in trouble if my dog barks too much?”
If you look up the Internet, you’ll see animal control laws about excessive barking. So search if your area has one.
For example, I’ll use the code in Placer County, California.
Based on it, excessive barking’s when a dog barks or howls repeatedly. To the extent that it disturbs the peace in the neighborhood.
To complain about this, you need a piece of evidence. And it must show that the dog has barked for at least 20 minutes.
If proven, an animal control officer will investigate the area.
Then if the complaint’s valid…
The officer will contact the parent of the dog complained about.
Tell them about the matter. And advise them on how to correct this behavior.
Now, if you receive 2 or more complaints about the same dog within 12 months…
The court will convict you of a misdemeanor. And the penalty ranges from 6 months in jail and a fine of $500.
Okay. Too much for this.
I hope things wouldn’t go this far with you and your pooch.
Also, you may want to maintain a good relationship with your neighbors as much as possible.
So to prevent things from getting worse, follow the steps I listed below.
Plus, training’s never too late for any dog. You can teach them not to bark at any age.
And speaking of this, here’s a question you might also be wondering…
Can you teach an old dog to stop barking?
You can teach an old dog to stop barking with lots of patience and consistency. Along with these, you also need a positive mind as you may not see results fast.
Like other Fidos, you must reward your senior dog when they’re calm. Give them a piece of treat and praise them if they obey you.
Next, since they learned to bark when bored or whenever they see someone outside…
You won’t easily remove this behavior as it has been a habit for years.
Thus, you have to be extra patient with your senior Fido.
9 steps to stop dog barking in 7 days (how-to)
#1: Find out the trigger
To stop your pooch, you must know why they’re barking first.
There are several possible reasons for this. (I listed them earlier.)
But as a recap, here are the most common ones:
- Attention.
- Greetings.
- Frustration.
- Alarm barking.
- ‘Social barking.’
- Territorial instincts.
- Compulsive behavior.
- Jealousy/protectiveness.
This varies per Fido and situation.
So, how will you find out the trigger for your dog’s barking?
Step #1: Answer the questions below
- When does the barking occur?
- Where does your dog usually do it?
- What happened prior to their barking?
- Do you see any target or trigger of their behavior? Who or what is it?
For instance, if your dog stands and barks in front of you every mealtime…
It means they learned to ‘demand bark’ when hungry.
So, ask them to sit and wait patiently for their food.
Then only serve their meal once they settle down.
Next time, avoid making your Fido notify you of their mealtime.
Prepare ahead and feed them at the same time daily. (Having a regular routine helps reduce your dog’s worries and anxiety.)
Step #2: Observe your furry friend
Pay close attention to their:
- Tail.
- Ears.
- Eyes.
- Mouth.
- Breathing.
- Body posture.
By looking at these…
You’ll be able to read your dog’s body language.
This will give you an idea of what they need or feel at the moment. Which allows you to find a way to end their barking.
To understand this better, here are some examples:
A dog who barks with pinned ears and a tucked tail show signs of fear or stress.
Meanwhile, a Fido’s alert if their ears are perked-up and they firmly wave their tail to the left.
Now, you might wonder…
“Does the direction of tail wagging matter?”
Doctors say that the 2 sides of our brain are responsible for different emotions:
- Left – positive (e.g., happiness, surprise)
- Right – negative (e.g., fear, disgust, sadness)
However, the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. And vice versa.
So if you connect this with tail wagging…
The meaning will be the opposite:
- To the left – negative emotions.
- To the right – positive emotions.
A study backs up this idea.
It says that dogs seemed anxious while looking at other Fidos wagging their tail to the left.
Meanwhile, they were relaxed seeing other furry pals wave it to the right.
Thus, watch your Fido’s tail carefully as well to get hints.
Step #3: Be all ears for their bark
Lastly, dogs can make different types of noises.
They use it to communicate with others. And it’s known that Fidos understand other hounds’ barks.
But one research found that most humans can correctly guess it as well.
They know if a Fido’s being excited or aggressive by only listening to their barks.
Experts believe it results from more than 30,000 years of living with dogs.
Therefore, you can do it too. And here are some tips to help you:
| Dog’s emotion | How they bark |
| Bored | Monotonous. |
| Territorial | Rough noises with growls. |
| Scared/stressed | High-pitched barks with yelps. |
| Playful | 2-syllable barks with low growls. |
| Frustrated | Constant high-pitched barks mixed with howls. |
Now, mix all the info you got in these 3 steps…
Then read the following tips below.
If you want to know more, read this article: 22 Types Of Dog Barks And Sounds + What They Mean
#2: Acknowledge your dog’s bark
How’s your observation of your furry pal?
If they keep barking while looking out the window, door, or fence…
They might be alerting you of a potential threat outside.
Your dog may have detected a change in the surroundings.
Either they sniffed a new scent or sensed the presence of a stranger.
This is also known as ‘alarm or alert barking.’
You can describe this as rough, continuous “Arf arf arf!” that passes through walls.
Now, if this is your case…
You must acknowledge your pooch’s barking to end it.
If not, skip this step and read the next one.
What to do?
- Come to your dog calmly.
- Look what they’re barking at.
- Check out the window. Take a peek behind the curtain or slightly open the door.
- Get back to your Fido.
- As soon as they stop barking, say “great job” or “good work.”
- Lead them to a different room. (Or any area away from the trigger.)
“How does this help?”
Think about this.
Your dog wants to alert you of something. So if you’re not doing anything, they’ll become frustrated and bark more.
Also, it’s not a good idea to stop their barking completely for your safety.
Plus, I’m sure your pooch wants to fulfill their job as well.
Thus, let them know they did great alarming you. Which is like telling your dog that everything’s fine.
And then praise them once they became silent to reinforce this good behavior.
#3: Remove/avoid the trigger
Now, if your furry pal’s scared or stressed about something…
Remove the reason for their barking. Or take your dog away from the area.
This is only possible if the trigger’s a certain person or other Fido. As well as an object (e.g., a child’s toy, vacuum cleaner).
Avoid that particular reason in the meantime to reduce your dog’s barking.
However, if your pooch’s doing it at every stranger or noise outside your house…
Block their view outdoors.
For example, pull the curtains down and close all openings.
But for your safety, keep at least 1 window open. So that you can still see what’s happening outside.
Just ensure your Fido can’t reach or access it.
Note: This is only a quick fix since you can only avoid your dog’s trigger for a while. So if you want long-term benefits, do steps #4 and #8 to train your pooch.
#4: Teach them to be quiet
Dogs can understand human language.
An average Fido may learn up to 100 words and more.
But for your furry friend to do this…
They must make the correct associations first.
Thus, simply telling them “shh!” or “shut up!” won’t stop them from barking.
What to do?
Train your dog to understand the word “quiet.”
- Prepare yummy-smelling treats to get your Fido’s attention. (E.g., boiled chicken strips, cut-up anchovies with low salt content)
- Let your dog bark 3-4 times.
- Say “quiet” in a firm, calm tone.
- Wait until they stop barking (even for only a few seconds).
- Once they do, offer them a small piece of treat.
- Tell them praises in your most excited voice. (E.g., “good dog,” “great job”)
- Repeat.
As you go on, slowly cut down the treats.
Then if your Fido’s doing well, wait a bit longer before rewarding them.
Say let them stay still for 2 seconds at first. Then gradually increase it to 4 seconds and so on.
This is to test how long they can keep silent. And also to know if they’re doing it because they learned the command or if it’s only for the sake of food.
Note: Do this daily whenever you hear your dog bark. Each session can be 5-10 minutes long. Keep training them until they stop upon hearing the word “quiet.”
#5: Distract them with a noise
Does the “quiet” command not work on your pooch after 15 tries?
And even by using treats?
If so, create sounds that’ll divert their attention instead.
What to do?
- Allow your dog to bark 3-4 times.
- Say “quiet” calmly.
- Make a noise. (E.g., shake a bottle filled with pennies, blow a whistle, jiggle a set of keys)
- Call your Fido away from the trigger or area.
- Praise them immediately once they become quiet.
Note: Gradually stop making noises until your dog calms down by only saying the cue and praises. Never fully depend on noises while training.
#6: Divert them with a trick
Try this method if treats and noise are ineffective on your furry pal.
This will shift your dog’s attention to something else. And it can help stop their barking for a while.
Which then gives you a chance to reward them as soon as they become quiet.
What to do?
- Ask your dog to do a command whenever they bark. It must be a basic trick that they fully mastered. Say “sit” or “lie down.”
- Praise them and give them a treat if they obey you without yapping.
- If not, allow your Fido to bark 3-4 times.
- Say the command again.
- Reward your dog once they calm down and perform the trick.
If this works on your pooch…
Keep doing this until they learn that staying silent gets rewards.
Note: Be careful when giving treats to your Fido. Never offer them food if they did the command while making noises. Only do it if they’re calm and quiet.
#7: Ignore demand barking
Dogs make noises to communicate with us.
But sometimes, their barking might get out of hand.
In the end, you’ll have a pooch with serious demand barking issues. As if they’re a small kid whining due to tantrums.
They’ll let out constant, high-pitched barks when they want attention. Or if they’re begging for a piece of your food.
You (or other people) may have rewarded this behavior by accident.
So from then on, your pooch learned that barking gets them what they want right away.
But don’t worry.
This is a common issue among dog parents. And you still have a chance to correct it.
What to do?
Since you’ll reward your dog if you pay attention to them every time they demand bark…
Do the exact opposite of it.
Ignore your Fido completely.
How?
- Avoid looking at and talking to them while they’re barking.
- Never touch or stroke them.
- If they keep doing it, turn away from them or get out of the room.
- As soon as they become silent, tell them to “sit.”
- Once they obey you, you can give them what they want. May it be attention, food, or cuddling.
- Do this every time your Fido barks nonstop at you.
But let me be clear here.
I’m not telling you to ignore your Fido when they want some lovin’ or need anything.
The problem with demand barking’s they won’t stop until you give them what they’re asking for. Even if you already acknowledge them.
So the goal here’s to teach your dog to become patient. And make them realize that excessive barking won’t get them anything.
Note: I know this tip’s easier said than done. As you may not help but give in to your Fido’s sparkling eyes. However, you must do this to discourage excessive barking.
You might also like: 15 Reasons Why Your Dog Barks At You (All Of A Sudden)