You’re sitting on the couch after a very long day at work, sighing in relief as you take a moment to breathe when you hear a car pull up outside. “Oh no, here we go again,” you think while your dog sprints like a cheetah to the window and proceeds to howl like its ancestral wolf. For anxious or dominant dogs, non-stop barking can be a frequent occurrence and, if you’re like me, one that annoys you.
Fortunately, there are quick and easy fixes that will benefit both you and your best friend. The first step? Rooting out the source of your dog’s non-stop barking at any and every noise he hears.
Who barks?
For a quick screening, look up your dog’s breed and note its biological sex, especially non-neutered males.
Smaller dogs tend to be louder than larger dogs and often have accompanying anxiety, such as the dachshund.
In contrast, some larger dogs may be more inclined towards dominant behaviors, primarily breeds historically bred for that purpose, such as the Doberman Pinscher.
In some cases, the line can blur; chihuahuas, generally high anxiety and high dominance, are a good example.
Bottom line: You know your dog best and should be able to determine whether excessive barking is an issue of anxiety, dominance, or both, before proceeding.
Some dogs bark because of boredom of loneliness. Others seek attention.
Sometimes barking is a sign of attention seeking or your dog may be reacting to a perceived threat by alarm barking in an effort to warn you of potential danger.
Nervous dogs or dogs suffering from separation anxiety also can become compulsive barkers.
If you experience compulsive barking, you need to identify what’s causing this dog behavior problem so you can understand how to correct it.
Once you determine what’s causing your dog to bark, use these strategies to correct the underlying problem that is causing your dog to bark excessively.
Don’t reward bad behavior
The most common mistake I see owners make is rewarding their dog’s bad behavior. Often, an owner will give their dog a treat or play with them when they’re barking to try and quiet them.
Now, any smart dog and dogs are pretty smart, will take this as approval of their behavior. That can lead them to develop a behavioral pattern.
If you don’t want non-stop barking, then don’t reward that behavior.
Use training to end non-stop barking
Teaching your dog the “No” and “OK” commands will be invaluable if the dog doesn’t already know them to stop dog barking.
To train your dog these commands, hold a treat about half a foot from the dog’s mouth with an open palm. When the dog lunges for the treat, quickly close your hand and give a firm “No.”
Do this a few times an hour for the next day or two (do not give the dog the treat yet). Once the dog no longer lunges for the treat, you can teach them the “OK ” command and give the dog the treat.
Now that your canine companion knows basic commands, which should help immensely on its own, add a crate to the picture.
If you’ve never crate trained your dog, it may seem like you’re putting them in a little doggy jail, but you’ll find that most dogs enjoy having a crate. It gives them a safe place to go when they’re feeling anxious, and that’s very important for any pet.
There are plenty of crate training guides, and they’re straightforward to follow, so invest in a crate as soon as possible.
Focus on positive reinforcement training
Positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding desired behaviors rather than punishing undesirable ones, creating a more positive and stress-free learning experience for the dog and its owner.
Let’s dive into tips and strategies to help silence the chaos and end the barking behavior.
Identify the trigger
The first step is to understand what triggers your dog’s barking. Is it people passing by, loud noises, doorbell rings, or separation anxiety? Once you know the root cause, you can address it.
Reward quiet behavior
When your dog is calm and not barking, praise it and offer high-value treats or toys. By associating peace and quiet with positive rewards, your dog will learn that being quiet brings good things.
Teach the “quiet” command
Using a cue word like “quiet” can help teach your dog when it’s appropriate to bark and when it’s time to be quiet.
Start by saying “quiet” while barking; once your dog stops, reward with treats or praise.
With consistent practice, dogs learn to associate the command with stopping barking.
Desensitization
Suppose there is a specific trigger for your dog’s barking, such as other dogs or loud noises.
In that case, gradually exposing them to those stimuli at a low intensity can help desensitize them over time.
Pairing these exposures with rewards for calm behavior can also reinforce their ability to remain quiet in potentially triggering situations.
Redirect your dog’s attention
Distracting your dog from what causes it to bark can be effective.
For example, if someone ringing the doorbell sets off excessive barking, redirect your dog’s attention to a toy or treat instead.
Consistency
Positive reinforcement training requires consistency and patience.
Make sure everyone in the household follows the training methods. Inconsistency can confuse your dog and hinder progress.
Exposure therapy
The last thing we’ll discuss is something called exposure therapy, which is a common practice for anxiety treatment. This process is designed to expose your dog to its fears and help them overcome them. For some dogs, this may be anxiety around other dogs or people, loud noises, unfamiliar places, or a very particular phobia—like garbage trucks, which seem to be my dog’s Achilles heel.
Exposure therapy takes gradual steps and should never involve “flooding” (putting your dog in highly stressful situations). If your dog has anxiety around other dogs, then introduce them to one dog, then two, then three, etc., until they’re running laps in the dog park.
Another option, teach your dog to bark on command. If you can teach your dog to bark on command, you can also make him understand to stop barking.
Some dogs, like mine, need a little extra, and we’d put some hemp oil in his food before the first few therapy sessions. Although hemp oil benefits are not well documented in animals, they should be a reasonable substitute to prescription anxiety medications.
Consider using a bark collar
One potential solution to this problem is using a bark collar.
These collars emit a sound or vibration when your dog barks, acting as negative reinforcement to discourage excessive barking.
However, before considering using one, it’s crucial to understand how they work and their potential impact on your dog.
It’s crucial to note that different types of bark collars are available on the market.
Citronella collars use citronella spray instead of sound or vibration. Avoid using electric shock collars because they can make your dog nervous or fearful.
When deciding whether to use a bark collar for your dog, consult a professional trainer first.
They can provide guidance on whether it would be appropriate for your specific situation and how to properly introduce and use the collar without harming or distressing your dog.
Do not use a bark collar as the sole method of addressing excessive barking.
In addition to wearing the collar, it’s crucial to continue working on training techniques such as positive reinforcement and distraction techniques.
Furthermore, some experts recommend only using bark collars as a temporary tool rather than relying on them long-term.
Dogs may become desensitized if constantly exposed to corrective measures such as sound or vibration.
If you do decide to use a bark collar for your dog, several tips can help ensure its effectiveness:
Proper fit
Ensure that the collar fits comfortably without being too tight or loose.
Consistency
Use the collar consistently in situations where excessive barking is likely.
Take breaks
Give your dog breaks from wearing the collar to prevent them from becoming overly reliant.
Reward good behavior
When your dog remains quiet, reward them with treats or praise to reinforce the desired behavior.
End non-stop dog barking
After learning commands, using a crate, and going through exposure therapy, your dog should be an absolute rock star, free from any anxiety or dominance-related issues. But, if you’re struggling with that or non-stop barking, it’s always smart to consider hiring a professional dog trainer for additional help.
Avoid punishing your dog for barking and focus on positive reinforcement training rather than using bark collars, which can upset your dog and make this behavior problem worse.
Vicky Ward is a neuropsychologist with a deep interest in holistic health, nutrition, and fitness. Her hobbies include yoga, jogging, and cooking. When she’s not working, she can be found reading Christian fiction or taking a nap.
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