If you would like to learn how you can stop your dog barking, then this guide was written for you.
Specifically, we're going to look at some of the reasons why your dog may be barking, what you should not do when he barks, and what you should do.
By the time you've finished reading this guide, you'll understand the barking problem in greater detail, and you'll know what you can do to overcome it.
Firstly, let's take a look at why dogs bark.
One of the most common reasons for barking, is to warn you of visitors, or a potential threat.
This is part of your dogs natural instinct to protect his home.
Another possible reason is to express his excitement.
Perhaps you're about to take him for a walk, or he has become excited by some activity.
Finally, your dog may simply be bored - and he's seeking your attention.
These reasons for barking are completely normal and to be expected.
Next, let's look at some of the things you should avoid doing, if your dog has an excessive barking problem.
The biggest mistake dog owners make is to shout at their dogs to be quiet.
Why is this a mistake? Simply because your dog will interpret your loud noise as you "joining in".
This is likely to encourage further barking behavior.
Instead, you should ignore your dogs bad behavior, for now.
Why? Because any positive attention at this stage will reinforce the barking behavior.
So what should you do? First, you will need to gain your dogs attention.
You can do this by making a loud, sharp sound.
A quick clap of your hands should shock your dog and temporarily gain his attention.
This is where you need to refocus your dogs attention.
The best way to do this is to give him a command which he is already well used to.
For example, tell your dog to sit.
If your dog is well versed in basic obedience, this may well be enough to redirect his attention and stop him barking.
If the problem persists, it may be worth looking at some of the other causes for barking.
Is your dog getting enough exercise? A tired dog is far less likely to bark all the time.
Perhaps your dog is bored and lonely during the day? Make sure he is occupied with interesting toys.
You may need to try a few different types of toy to find something that can entertain him.
Also, try not to leave him alone for too long.
To summarize, this guide has shown you some useful tips and advice for overcoming excessive barking.
This is a difficult problem for many owners, but it can become much simpler once you understand the reasons behind the problem.
In particular, we have covered why your dog may be barking, some of the common mistakes most owners make, and what you should do instead.
Now that you've read this guide, you should be able to put these techniques into action and see some positive results.