How To Stop Your Dog Barking – The Quick & Easy Way

Over the past few years, I’ve lost count of the number of emails I get about dealing with unwanted barking. So today, I want to touch base on one of the more common questions I’ve had recently, which is… “how exactly do I stop my dog barking?”

It’s sad to say, but we don’t live in a perfect world. And while we’d all like nothing more to own a well-behaved dog, the fact is that it’s not always going to be as smooth sailing from the get go.

Now, nobody wants to spend most of their time trying to quiet a noisy pooch.

But unfortunately, it happens so often that it can feel like a constant battle to make sure your dog doesn’t wake up the neighborhood with their obsessive, annoying barking.

Worse still, it can put a huge strain on the relationship you have with your dog which can often result in expensive behavior training, or in worst cases, even rehoming your dog.

I speak from personal experience when I say that nobody deserves to go through this frustration. So it’s essential to try and steer your dog away from this unpleasant behavior before the unthinkable happens.

But here’s the problem…

Hiring a trainer can be very expensive, and to be honest, you don’t really need to.

I’ll explain how in a minute. First, let me talk about WHY your dog seems to be so hard to train…

See, the reason you are having so much difficulty training your dog is that you’ve been training them the outdated way.

It’s not your fault though. The fault really lies with all the bad dog training information that’s out there on the Internet and elsewhere.

Most people start training their dogs using verbal cues or commands like SIT, STAY, etc. Because that’s what they have been taught to do by numerous books on dog training and by all the videos they’ve seen on the Internet.

Here’s the problem – that’s exactly how NOT to train a dog!

Why?

Because the science of animal behavior says that starting your training using verbal cues sets your dog up for failure.

Dogs that are trained only using verbal cues never get trained properly. Or at least, the training doesn’t last long.

So what’s the best way to train a dog?

The science is very clear on this – dogs are best trained by using body language. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should never use verbal cues. What it means is that you should always START your dog’s training using body language. Later on, you can bring in a verbal cue to reinforce your dog’s training.

Let me give you an example of how this works…

One of the biggest mistakes most dog owners make is that they don’t give their dogs work to do.

And this is one of the many reasons that certain dogs (ie. service dogs) are so well-behaved.

Now, by “job” or “work”, I don’t mean that a service dog is always doing something physical in nature.

Instead, what I mean is that when you give a service dog the hand signal for the DOWN cue for instance, here’s how the service dog would have been trained to think:

“My owner has now given me the job of lying down. So I will remain lying down here in this exact spot until my owner tells me to do something else because the job that my owner wants me to do for her now is to lie down.”

So unlike most “normal” dogs who think of DOWN as just a trick that they have to perform for a few seconds after which they can do whatever they feel like, service dogs think of DOWN as a serious job that they have to do with commitment, dedication, and purpose until they get their next job from their owner.

As you can imagine, it’s a dramatically different mindset!

And this mindset is the reason service dogs are so well-behaved, and so many “normal” dogs (even if they know cues like DOWN or SIT) are not.

The good news is that you can train your dog to have the same mindset as a service dog as well.

And the best part is it’s not even that hard to accomplish.

That’s why instead of leaving you with this one quick tip and leaving you to figure out the rest. I want to give you something actionable that you can use RIGHT NOW to transform your dog’s behavior.

So with this in mind, I’d highly recommend taking a few minutes to check out the K9 Training Institute.

The K9 Training Institute runs a free online dog training workshop that goes into extensive detail on the best practices and techniques to stop unwanted behaviors like barking.

It’s presented by Dr. Alexa Diaz (one of the top service dog trainers in the U.S.) and Eric Presnall (host of the hit Animal Planet TV show “Who Let the Dogs Out”).

To be honest, the techniques described in the workshop are pretty groundbreaking. And they’ve been a complete game changer for thousands of frustrated owners who implemented the techniques inside this free workshop.

This is because it’s the first time (at least that I know of) that anyone has revealed the secret techniques used by the service dog training industry to train service dogs.

The best part?

These techniques work on ANY dog… regardless of age or breed.

From small breeds like Pomeranians and Chihuahuas to large breeds like English Mastiffs and Great Danes.

Even puppies as young as 6 weeks old, and untrained adult dogs as old as 13 years, have been successfully trained using the techniques inside this free workshop.

It’s not a live workshop – it’s actually pre-recorded, which means that you can watch it as many times as you like.

However, while the workshop is free, I am not sure how long it’s going to stay that way, so I’d recommend checking it out while it’s still available.

So go ahead and click the link below, implement the techniques inside the free workshop, and get ready to watch your dog transform before your very eyes.

Click Here To Watch The Free Workshop & Discover How To Finally Stop Your Dog’s Frustrating, Annoying Barking Habit… Using The Same Secrets The Pro’s Use To Train Service Dogs!

Why Does My Dog Keep Barking?

In some ways, barking is the most natural thing in the world.

Ultimately, it’s a form of communication.

While we express our emotions and thoughts by talking, dogs use other ways. 

They growl they bark, they snap… they communicate.

The problem is, it’s a style of communication that’s not always appreciated. It’s especially not appreciated when it’s allowed to go unchecked.

And therein lies the problem.

The occasional growl or bark from your dog might be annoying, but depending on the circumstances, it’s generally acceptable behavior

But a dog that barks non-stop can get old pretty fast. And that’s when the real problems start.

The point here is that all unnecessary barking needs to be treated as equal.

Basically, it all needs to be discouraged.

That said, treating your dog as an individual by figuring out the root cause of their behavior is going to be crucial in determining the right modification technique.

A dog who barks because they’re scared, for example, may need to be treated quite differently from a dog who barks because they’re protective.

Before jumping to the solution, take a moment to consider what could be motivating your dog’s behavior.

Some of the most common reasons include:

They Want to Play 

Dogs don’t want to be cuddled all day long. They want to play.

So if you do anything to suggest a game (stroke them, clap your knees as though initiating a game, etc.), up goes the excitement, and along with it… barking.

You need to keep in mind that what often starts as play can soon escalate into an unwanted barking frenzy depending on your dog’s nature.

And once that fight or flight response kicks in, you’ll be hard-pushed to dial things down and regain control of the situation.

They Haven’t Been Socialized 

Sometimes, barking could be a sign that they’ve not been properly socialized.

If dogs aren’t exposed to a wide variety of people, pets, and situations from an early age. They can become anxious or fearful around anything unfamiliar. 

Unfortunately, fear and anxiety can often translate into displays of unwanted barking.

The problem is particularly apparent in pups who’ve experienced abuse or traumas in the past. As well as dogs who’ve spent most of their lives being passed from one temporary home to another.

Once dogs like this find a ‘safe-haven,’ they may feel the need to defend it against threats.

They’re Possessive 

All dogs are possessive to an extent (as are humans, when you think about it) but left unchecked, it can quickly develop into a problem.

While some dogs can get super possessive about high-value items like toys or food. Others can get possessive about people. 

If your dog thinks they ‘own’ you. They may bark or display other undesirable behaviors at anyone who gets in between you and them. 

It’s a Habit 

It’s not uncommon for some owners to give in and just accept that barking is part and parcel of being a dog.

Eventually, they come to the conclusion that barking is just part of the game.

Some owners may even be encouraging the behavior unknowingly.

To make matters worse, an untrained dog often can’t tell the difference between what is and isn’t acceptable.

This is a huge problem, especially with loud, persistent barkers like Terriers, German Shepherds, and Retrievers to new a few.

This is also where the techniques revealed inside the K9 Training Institute’s free online dog training workshop really come in handy.

Not only will you learn how to stop unwanted behaviors like barking, but you’ll also discover simple, highly effective calming exercises to keep your dog’s emotions in check.

So if you haven’t had a chance to take a look, here’s the link you need…

Click Here To Watch The Free Workshop & Discover How To Finally Stop Your Dog’s Frustrating, Annoying Barking Habit… Using The Same Secrets The Pro’s Use To Train Service Dogs!

How to Stop Your Dog Barking

Before you can dial down your dog’s persistent barking, you need to identify the root cause.

Although any kind of barking should be discouraged, different motivations need different treatment.

Consider factors like your dog’s age, whether the barking is generalized or happens only around guests, and whether your dog displays any other fearful or aggressive behaviors.

When it comes to training, you need to think about the big picture. It might be frustrating when your dog starts demonstrating undesirable behaviors. But the problem is still the barking, not the person or thing that’s causing it.

If you want to address the problem, you need to address the problem, period. 

For instance, trying to stop your dog from barking on walks isn’t going to work if you let them get away with it at home.

Remember, dogs respond to consistency. So be mindful to keep working on discouraging negative behaviors (whether they’re aggressive or not) and encouraging positive ones.   

Avoid Provocative Games

Dogs can often bark due to boredom or stress, so finding a new outlet for their energy is crucial.  

With that said, do your best to avoid playing games that encourage barking (roughhousing, etc). And stick to games that allow your dog to let off some steam without engaging in any undesirable behaviors. 

Dial Back Aggressive Play

If your dog has a habit of barking during play, you need to set boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable.

To make things easier, avoid doing things that initiate barking. Patting the sides of their face, playful nudges, or again, ‘roughhousing’ will just perpetuate the idea that barking is part of the game.  

If they do end up getting riled you while you’re playing, avoid escalating the situation. End the game and take a few minutes to let your dog calm down and relax.

It may seem obvious, but it’s a sure-fire way to dial down the emotion.

Win Your Dogs Mind

Here’s one of the most important lessons that can be summed up in a few simple words…

…” It’s about winning your dog’s mind first”

See, dogs come in all shapes and sizes.

Some are naturally mild-mannered and calm…

…Some can be a little overbearing at times.

…And some are just downright Crazy with a capital “C”

But the one thing they all have in common is they respect the pack leader.

Now, if you’re one of the lucky few, your dog may already see you as the pack leader.

Other times, it may a little time and effort to steer them in the right direction.

And if you’re one of the very unlucky ones (as many are), getting your dog to calm down is about as easy as getting a toddler to take a nap after 6 cans of Redbull.

But no matter what your situation, getting your dog on the path to success will always come down to the same thing…

…Winning their mind.

Flashback to when I was a young inexperienced puppy parent.

It was one of the most stressful times of my life.

And here’s the thing…

It wasn’t that I was applying the wrong training techniques to my pup’s routine.

Far from it…

It was because I was missing the critical step of winning his mind first.

Once I got my head around this, everything instantly fell into place.

This is also why it’s a HUGE MISTAKE to train your dog without first getting to grips with this one core principle.

And it’s effortless once your know how to do it.

Now, instead of just giving you a few tips and sending you on your way. I think it would benefit you much more if I were to give you something actionable that you can start using immediately to see results.

So with this in mind, go ahead and check out the K9 Training Institute’s free online dog training workshop.

I’m confident that if you not only watch the workshop but actually implement the techniques revealed into your dog’s routine, you’ll notice the immediate effect it has on your dog’s behavior for the better.

Click Here To Watch The Free Workshop & Discover How To Finally Stop Your Dog’s Frustrating, Annoying Barking Habit… Using The Same Secrets The Pro’s Use To Train Service Dogs!

What Others Are Saying About The K9 Training Institute

Click Here To Watch The Free Workshop & Discover How To Finally Stop Your Dog’s Frustrating, Annoying Barking Habit… Using The Same Secrets The Pro’s Use To Train Service Dogs!

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, a dog that barks on occasion isn’t uncommon. But that doesn’t mean it’s ok to let it continue. 

The sooner your dog learns that barking isn’t acceptable, the better it will be for everyone.

Not only does it decrease the risk of those mild barking traits turning into something more serious down the line. But it also makes it way less embarrassing around others.

Find the root cause and apply the solution. That might be easier said than done, but with a hefty dose of consistency and patience, you’ll get there

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Want To Learn 3 Simple Exercises You Can Use RIGHT NOW To Stop Your Dogs Obsessive, Annoying Barking Habit?

Let me ask you this…

• Does your dog refuse to stop barking?
• Do they obsessively bark at strangers or visitors at every opportunity?
• Are they constantly barking at night and keeping the neighborhood awake?
• Have you tried everything to get them to stop and failed miserably?

If you’ve answered YES to any of the above then you need to check out the free online workshop from the K9 Training Institute…