There are many methods to control dog barking and in this short article I will mention only a few of them that have been found to be the most effective. You have to know that dogs just like to bark. It is his way of communicating with the world, of expressing himself. There is nothing wrong with it, as long as it is controlled by the dog owner. If your dog is barking excessively and it has become annoying to both you and your neighbors, let me show you some simple tips that you can implement instantly that will help you reduce the amount of noise your dog makes.
Dog Barking Control Part 1 – Tire Him Out
One of the most popular reasons why your dog barks is boredom. The easiest way to implement dog bark control is to start taking your little friend for regular walks. Find a place where he can play and exercise, let your dog get close to other dogs and play with them too. You will notice that after coming home he will calm down and fall asleep, exhausted. As long as you can provide an interesting and active way to pass the time, your dog will have no reason to bark out of sheer boredom.
Dog Barking Control Part 2 – Eliminate Separation Anxiety
If you leave the house frequently to go to work, your dog may develop a habit of barking due to anxiety. This, combined with the whining, can be extremely annoying to your neighbors and can get you in trouble. In this case, you will need to spend more time implementing another method of dog barking control.
You have to teach your dog to be left alone without causing too much discomfort. Let it accompany you when you are doing something at home. Give him a toy to play with and comfort him, then leave the room for a few minutes and close the door behind you so he’s left alone. Join the dog after a while, but don’t play with it. He has to know that your leaving him alone is nothing special and nothing to worry about. Use the same method when he returns from work. Don’t get too excited, just pat him on the head and say “good dog.” This will help your dog understand that there is nothing to worry about (and bark) because you will be back in a bit.
Dog Barking Control Part 3 – Eliminate Boredom
One last method of dog barking control you can use is various toys, hidden food, or even your television. The rule is: keep him busy so he doesn’t have time to bark for attention or company. There are many dog toys on the market that allow you to put food inside of them (called Kong) so your dog can spend hours trying to get it out piece after piece. You can also leave some food hidden around the house, forcing your dog to search for it, or try turning on your TV (this works for some dogs and keeps them busy).