Listening to your dog bark constantly no matter what you try might make you think there’s no solution—but don’t give up just yet! It is definitely possible to teach a dog not to bark. You just need to stick with whatever training method works best. Whether you’re preventing, distracting, ignoring, desensitizing, or getting some assistance from a toy, device, or professional, the one piece of advice that remains true with training is: Keep at it. If the methods you use for training your dog not to bark don’t become habits, your dog will fall into their old ways fast.
Wondering just how to train your dog not to bark, though? Let’s discuss some ways you can work with your pup to develop better behavior.
How to Train a Dog Not to Bark
The most effective way to train a dog to stop barking will depend on what causes them to do so. Sometimes a dog can be triggered by the presence of a human or another dog. You can either distract them with an interactive toy to stop the barking, remove the trigger all together by keeping the person or animal out of sight, or put them in social situations more often so they get used to being around others.
Treats are a great dog bark training tool. When your dog exhibits good behavior, reward them with a treat so they know that what they are doing is right. Don’t be afraid to use treats often, either—rewarding good habits again and again will eventually help them understand the right thing to do.
Using commands is another method worth trying. Dogs are very smart, and they can usually catch on to the idea that certain sounds, gestures, or words like “quiet!” are reactions to their barking. Whatever command you come up with, repeat it calmly but sternly until your dog stops barking. This method takes patience, and you may have to act stricter than you’d like to be toward your pet, but it’s a simple and cost-free way to train dogs to stop barking.
Using Devices to Teach a Dog Not to Bark
If none of these efforts work, you might need to turn to a device when trying to figure out how to train a dog not to bark. There are some great anti-stress items on the market nowadays that can calm your dog if they have separation anxiety. These can be anything from pheromone-producing collars to wraps or jackets that hold them close and have a soothing effect. You can also buy something that plays white noise or background music to distract your dog from their barking triggers.
For dogs that really have a bad barking problem and don’t respond to personal training efforts, bark collars can do the trick. Our dog bark training product, the BarkMute Ultrasonic Vibration Collar, is a wonderful, humane device that can quickly help your dog understand how to control their barking. Our collars start working right away and get long-term results if you use them consistently, and unlike some other devices on the market, they won’t cause any harm or distress to your dog. Set your BarkMute collar to produce sounds, gentle vibrations, or a combination of the two when your dog starts barking, and it won’t take them long to figure out what’s causing these sensations.
Professional Dog Bark Training
If all else fails, turning to a professional is a wise way to go. A full-time dog training expert should be able to identify your dog’s barking triggers and deploy effective means of correcting their behavior while staying conscious of their health and comfort. Ask your friends and family if they’ve worked with any dog trainers they’d recommend, or search for trainers in your area and read their reviews carefully.