We know how much you love your pet, but if you are dealing with incessant barking, you are probably pretty frustrated. Most dogs bark because they are excited or bored and many owners are at a loss when it comes to stopping the obnoxious barking. We’d like to offer a few tips on how to get your dog to stop barking.
Stay Calm
First of all, many owners get understandably frustrated and may yell at their dog or express their frustration to try to interrupt the nonstop barking. The problem is, the dog takes your excitement as joining in on his fun. A dog will mirror your energy levels and so frustration will only add to the situation.
Train for Quiet
Teach your dog the command “quiet” by using a calm, firm voice until the barking stops. Then reward your dog with a treat. Only reward your dog when he stops barking after the command “quiet.” Some owners find that teaching the command “speak” first can actually help get across the “quiet” command faster. This is especially helpful if your dog is barking at a specific time — such as when the mailman comes to the door, visitors or a squirrel runs by the window.
Release His Energy
When your dog is tired, he or she won’t bark. Take your dog out to play or on a brusque walk before times when your dog normally struggles with barking. Often, our patients simply have a lot of pent-up energy and they release it through barking.
While these are some of the most common solutions for incessant barking, there may be other problems that are causing your dog to bark. Dogs may be impacted by a medical problem, pain or anxiety issue. Don’t let the problem persist, since an ignored issue can lead to a much longer or harder solution.
Talk to Your Burbank Veterinarian
If you are frustrated with your dog’s behavior problems or are concerned about a possible health problem, call and schedule an appointment with us today! As your friendly neighborhood Burbank veterinarian clinic, we want to help you find the right solution as quickly as possible.
What have you tried to stop your dog from barking?
