Working out how to stop your dog from barking can be a difficult and time consuming task.

Dogs love to bark. It's a perfectly natural thing for your dog to do, just as it's normal for us humans to speak.

It's when our dogs bark excessively that it becomes a problem for all concerned - including our cranky neighbours.

Considering this, our goal really isn't to learn how to stop your dog from barking, but rather how to control the excessive barking.

There are of course situations when we want our dogs to bark (and I guess there are also times when I like my chatty aunty to speak!;)

The first step in modifying this problem is to determine the reason why your dog is barking in the first place. Once you've identified the cause or trigger, you can then plan the training solution.

Why Do Dogs Bark?
Stop Your Dog From Barking Now!

• To express their needs (being bossy).
• Some dogs are bred to bark (some terriers and hounds).
• They are staking out their territory.
• To alert other members of their pack (that's you and your family) of impending danger.
• When playing, just through sheer excitement.
• Barking at other animals. Depending on where you are in the world, it could be squirrels or possums (I'm in Australia - my dogs go nuts at possums).
• If they are isolated.
• Some dogs bark excessively when separated from their pack (you and your family).
• If they are trapped behind some type of barrier like a fence or window.
• Just for fun!
• To express dominance (puppies normally test you out at some stage with a display of dominance barking).
• They bark because their owners have inadvertently rewarded excessive barking in the past(this is crucial to understand)
• Through boredom or a lack of physical and mental stimulation.
• May feel stressed or uncomfortable for some reason. Things like feeling threatened or if they don't have an appropriate place to sleep can cause excessive barking problems.
• Dogs that haven't been properly socialized often become nuisance barkers.
• May be looking for a response or some attention from their pack.

Another thing to keep in mind is that even though it may appear to you that your dog is barking at nothing, this is not necessarily the case. This is due to the fact that your dog has a much more acute sense of hearing, smell and sight than us humans. Your dogs excessive barking is most probably being triggered by something.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

Ok, now we've sorted out the reason for your dogs barking problem, we just need to work out how to stop your dog from barking.

The most important piece of advice to remember when trying to modify any dog behavioral problem, is to clearly communicate to your dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

One of the biggest mistakes us dog owners make is to inadvertently reward our dogs excessive barking. We actually encourage and reinforce the barking problem when we commit these three dog training sins:

1. Yell and scream at the dog - this just gives them the attention they were crying out for.
2. Let them inside. If your dog is barking his head off outside, then you let him in, this just rewards the barking.
3. If your dog is barking and you react by giving him a comforting cuddle or a treat of some sort, you are definitely encouraging your dog to bark again. By doing this you are communicating to your dog that you are happy with him. You should be making it clear that his excessive barking is inappropriate.

Right, lets get stuck into some proven dog training techniques to stop your dog from barking. I've listed the most common reasons why your dog may be barking, and some proven solutions you can try.

Dog Goes Crazy Every Time The Phone Rings

This is a very common and annoying time for dogs to bark excessively. Try these training techniques:

• Never yell at your dog.
• Get your dog used to the phone ringing, don't make it such a big deal. Ring your home number from your cell phone or get a friend to keep calling you. When the phone rings just sit there, don't say or do a thing. Repeat this process over a few days, your dog will probably continue to bark for a while but will give up before long.
• If you give your dog basic obedience training, behavioral problems such as excessive barking are easily controlled. Your dog looks up to you as their pack leader and is eager to please you in any situation. Teaching the Quiet! or Stop! obedience training command will soon correct this problem. To learn how to properly train your dog yourself, at home
• You may have some success by changing the tone and volume of your ring tone.

Dog Barks When You Are Not Home

I'm not going to pretend this type of barking will be easy for you to control, because in reality it is often a difficult and lengthy process.

Always remember that dogs are social creatures, when they are separated from their pack (you) they can become stressed, vulnerable and frustrated. This type of excessive barking is often caused

• Firstly I'd say just use your common sense and get these dog ownership basics right. Keep your dog well exercised (physical and mental) and provide fresh water, and a nice comfortable place to sleep. You can also try to block your dogs view of the street or other distractions. Basically, make sure your dog is happy.
• If you know your dog has been barking while you have been away, you must ignore him for a while when you return home. I understand this is difficult for lots of owners, but otherwise your dog believes that his barking is the reason you came back home to him. Just go about your business for a little while when you get home, ignoring your dog. When your dog has settled down, you then initiate contact with him.
• This next method takes time and patience, but can be a very effective way to stop your dog from barking. It's based on that important rule applicable to all training situations. Praise or reward when your dog does something good, create a negative association when he does something bad. Leave the house as you normally would, but just hide somewhere nearby. When your dog starts to bark spray him with water or throw a tin can full of coins or rocks in his direction (this is the negative association). Try to keep out of your dogs sight while doing this if possible. Go and hide again, if he is quiet for a while, go in and reward his good behavior with some praise and maybe a treat. This process may need to be repeated over and over until you have broken the excessive barking habit.
• The above techniques have proven to be successful with my own dogs, but if they don't work for you, maybe you could try a Citronella Spray No Bark Collar. Again this method uses the power of negative association. Every time your dog barks, a fine mist of citronella is sprayed into the air. Most dogs hate the smell, and soon realize if they don't bark, the smell isn't there to bother them. If you have more than one dog this method is not really a suitable solution.