Stop Your Puppy’s Barking From Driving You Crazy

Does your puppy’s consistent barking drive you and your neighbors crazy? If so, you may be at the end of your tether and unable to cope. The first mistake that people make is to think that they can stop their puppy from barking completely. It is important to understand that barking is normal behavior. This is how your puppy communicates It is only when the barking is excessive and inappropriate that you should be concerned.

The fact is that puppies bark for a reason and so it is important to find what the cause is before taking action. Puppies can bark because they are lonely, bored, anxious, frustrated or frightened. They could also simply be hungry, need to pee or want to go outside.

If your puppy continues to bark excessively or inappropriately, then you should use commands like "stop" or "enough" in a stern voice. If this does not work, you should pull them away from what they are barking at and give a correction – a quick tug on the collar is a good idea.

Using words such as "good dog" or "well done" to praise your puppy when he stops barking is important. This is in order for your puppy to understand when it has done a correct behavior.

If outside and your puppy is barking to come in but you do not want him to come in yet, you can use a command such as "stop" or "enough". You should do this in a stern voice through the door. Your puppy can hear your command through the door. Remember not to open the door until you are ready to let them in.

If this does not work then you could kick the bottom of the door from the inside. This makes a loud noise which can startle your puppy. This seems to work quite well.

Another idea is to hang out the window and squirt water from a spray bottle or hose. This action should stop your puppy from barking. The more you do this, the more your puppy will get a negative reinforcement for barking.

It is important to remember to give praise when your puppy stops barking. You must be consistent in praising positive behavior and giving a negative reinforcement for unwanted behavior.

Now that you know the reasons for your puppy barking, you should be able to take the best action in order to have a quieter life!

Visit the Training Puppy Tips website for more detailed information on stopping your puppy barking. You can use the same techniques for stopping your puppy growling.