How Can I Change My Dog’s Excessive Barking?

For a couple of days, take note of where, when and why your dog is barking.  Make a note and pay attention to what happened just before and after the barking event.

Once you understand the pattern of behaviour trigger and reward, then you can begin to change the behaviour.

Reduce Access to the Trigger

If your dog is barking at people and dogs walking past the fence, reduce access to that fence. Perhaps put up a barrier to the fence. If they are barking at activities outside the window, move their bed away from the window and restrict access to the window, especially when you are not there to supervise them.

Teach an Alternative Behaviour

Always teach what ‘to do’, rather than what ‘not to do’.

Instead of barking at……., teach them to go to their bed. Not as a ‘time out’ or punishment, but as a place to be calm. This can also be taught when people come to the door and other times when your dog becomes excited.

Reward Calm

A calm dog is a happy dog.

Each time your dog is calm, when they are not responding to a trigger, reward them. Never reward the excitement caused by the trigger, teach and reward calm. This helps your dog understand your expected behaviour.

Meet the Needs of Your Dog.

Ensure your dog gets a walk every day, preferably in the morning. Allow time for sniffing and include mental stimulation e.g. practice recall and other skills. Play sniffing games at home and other activities. Engage with your dog.

Avoid Rewarding the Barking

If your dog is rewarded by getting your attention, (talking to or patting them) when they bark, you are reinforcing the barking behaviour. Use the barking behaviour as a time to teach your dog the preferred behaviour.

Ignoring the behaviour doesn’t show your dog what you would rather they do the barking behaviour will just escalate.

What If My Dog’s Barking Is Caused By Anxiety?

If your dog is anxious, it is likely that there is more work that needs to be done, other than just redirecting and providing them an alternative behaviour. Contact me or your local dog behaviourist to guide you.

Be Patient and Consistent

Your dog has very likely been barking for some time, and so changing their behaviour is not like flicking a switch. It required consistency, clarity of communication and calm confidence. Everyone in the home needs to be on the same page, so your dog is getting the same message from everyone.