How to stop excessive barking.

    Barking is a natural instinct for dogs and one of their primary

forms of communication. Therefore, we cannot teach them to never bark. The most common reasons for a dog to bark are:

• Territorial barking: a response to people or other animals intruding on their territory.
• Alarm barking: a response to noise or sight.
• Socially Facilitated: when he hears another dog bark.
• Frustration-induced: response to a situation such as being confined or being separated.
• Greeting: usually saying"hello".
• Compulsive: repetitive and may be accompanied by repetitive movement like pacing. 

    The goal is not to halt this barking altogether but to control excessive barking. The objective is to teach a dog to stop barking on command and get the problem behavior under control. Understanding the root cause of their bark will help you to understand when and what is really "problem behavior". For instance, frustration-induced barking due to separation may be helped by providing your pet with stimulation when you leave such as a Kong. Territorial barking is more pronounced in some breeds. Providing distraction before the dog notices the intrusion may prevent the barking. Compulsive barking may need to be treated on another level such as anti-anxiety aids, a ThunderShirt or employing professional trainers.

     As with any training, it is important to have the dog's attention.  However, barking dogs often are in such a fervor that they cannot fixate on you or your commands.  They simply have such a preoccupation that their senses are muted and they have a type of tunnel vision that prevents them from seeing or hearing you. You need to create a distraction to snap your dog back into reality.

    According to Brandon McMillan author of Lucky Dog Lessons, the best tool is a penny bottle. A penny bottle is an old empty water bottle filled with coins. To train, make sure the bottle is in your hand before your dog starts barking.  When your dog starts to bark, say the word "QUIET" firmly and immediately shake the penny bottle. Shake it again and  again say "QUIET".  The sound should stop the dog's barking.  You should practice this technique a few times a day for about a week, shaking the bottle a little less vigorously each time.  Gradually giving more emphasis on the command word than the noise from the bottle. Make sure you use the command firmly. Alternatively, if your dog already knows the command SPEAK, you can use another technique to teach the QUIET command.  Give the signal for him to bark. As soon as he starts barking give him the QUIET command. Wait a couple seconds after he stops barking and give him a treat. The important thing here is to wait a few seconds after he stops  barking so he understands the treat is for being quiet and not for barking.  Each session you will increase the seconds of silence before giving the treat.  You should be up to 15 seconds of silence within a week of training.  Never spend more than 15 minutes on a training session. Remember to take long breaks in between sessions. This helps your dog to process what he has learned. This technique teaches your dog to stop barking when you say QUIET.  It is not teaching your dog to not bark.

     There are other tools to use. These tools include a citronella collar and an ultrasonic collar or an ultrasonic remote. Citronella collars emit a spray of citronella when your dog barks. Ultrasonic collars emit a high-pitched sound that only your dog can hear.  However, the citronella collar and the ultrasonic collar cannot possibly distinguish between what is considered acceptable and unacceptable barking.  Ultrasonic collars are not an option for a dog who spends a lot of time around other dogs as the other dogs will hear the unpleasant sound too.  An ultrasonic remote is a remote control you hold in your hand. It comes with a positive sound and the negative sound if it is not used consistently with the problem barking your dog would have a hard time figuring out why he sometimes hears that terrible noise.

   Patience and training consistently are the keys to success. Some dogs take longer to respond because barking is a deeply ingrained habit.