Tips for how to stop your dog from barking

The windows are open, the curtains are fluttering in the spring breeze. After the weather ups and downs of the past couple of weeks, it feels good to have fresh air and sunshine coming into the house.

Sounds come in through the open windows, too — lawn mowers, birds singing, children playing and dogs barking.

Barking is our dogs’ communication system. It’s their way of communicating with us. Our dogs bark out of fear, as a warning, for protection and when playing. My dog enjoys barking at the squirrels as they chatter at him from high up in the trees. They seem to have their own communication system. Our dogs bark to go outside or to come back in, at other dogs, at people and at other animals.

The Humane Society of the United States suggests a number of possible reasons our dogs bark:

Ÿ Dogs bark for attention. They want to eat, they want to be outside or to come back in, to play or they want our undivided attention.

Ÿ Dogs bark out of boredom or frustration. When they are left outside day and night, are crated or confined to one room. (No dog should be left outside day and night).

Ÿ Dogs bark out of fear. They bark when they are afraid of people, objects, other animals, places or loud noises like fireworks or thunder. A dog barking out of fear typically holds his tail low and has his ears back.

Ÿ Dogs bark when being protective or territorial. Dogs bark when people are coming into their house or dogs in neighboring yards are outside. My dog barks at the mailman. His barking is so effective, the mailman goes away. Then he comes back the next day, and my dog barks at him again. The protective or territorial posture accompanying the barking appears threatening, with your dog’s tail held high and his ears up and forward.

Ÿ Dogs bark when they are playing, excited and when greeting people.

Ÿ Dogs may also bark due to health reasons. He may bark because of his age. He may have Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, age-related dementia or he may be deaf, possibly barking because he doesn’t hear himself bark. If your dog is deaf, he can be taught the quiet command with a hand signal or a flash of light.

If your dog is barking due to deafness or age-related deafness, be patient with him and keep his environment orderly and simple. Your vet may have suggestions about medication that may help the dementia.

Just as important as knowing why our dogs bark is how to get them to stop. The HSUS has suggestions as to how to do that. It’s all in the training. Don’t expect him to change his behavior immediately. The longer he’s been practicing the barking behavior, the longer it will take him to change it.

One of the important features of training your dog not to bark is not to yell at him to be quiet. (And haven’t we all done that.)

We seem to think our getting loud will stop the barking, but he thinks you’re barking along with him. As with all dog training, keep your training sessions positive and upbeat. Be consistent with your training; everyone in the family has to use the same training method when your dog barks inappropriately. Also, you have to deal with the inappropriate barking each time it occurs.

The HSUS suggests our dogs must get some kind of reward when they bark, otherwise, he wouldn’t do it. We need to figure out what he gets out of barking and then remove it. And we shouldn’t give our dogs the opportunity to continue the barking behavior.

If your dog is barking at people or animals passing by the living room window, manage the behavior by putting the dog in another room or closing the curtains. One training technique is to ignore his barking for as long as it takes him to stop, not giving him any attention.

Your attention rewards him for being noisy. Don’t talk to him, don’t touch him and don’t even look at him. When he finally quiets, even to take a breath, give a reward with a treat.

The HSUS stresses, to be successful with this method, you must wait for him to stop barking. He learns if he just barks long enough, you’ll give him attention. It’s about consistency: you must ignore the barking every time.

The HSUS also suggests teaching your dog the “quiet” command. Give your dog the command to “speak” and have someone make a noise-like knocking on the door- that is sure to make your dog bark. Let him bark two or three times and stick a tasty treat in front of his nose.

When he stops barking to sniff it, praise him and give him the treat. Repeat until he starts barking as soon as you say “speak.” Once he can reliably bark on command, teach the “quiet” command.

This command is taught in a calm environment with no distractions. Tell him to “speak.” When he stops barking, say “quiet” and put the treat in front of his nose. Praise him for being quiet and give him the treat.

In addition to managing your dog’s barking and training him not to bark, the HSUS suggests making sure your dog gets enough physical and mental exercise every day. He may need several long walks a day or a rousing game of chasing the ball. A tired dog is a good dog and not likely to bark out of boredom or frustration. This suggestion works in our house.

I also suggest if you need help managing your dog’s barking behavior, consult a qualified dog trainer.

Enjoy the beautiful spring weather by walking your dog. Spending time with your dog and reducing his barking is perfect.

Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit the shelter at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights; or at thebuddyfoundation.org.