Although barking is one form of communication that dogs use, a dog that barks at almost everything can be a nightmare.
The biggest challenge to a pet owner of such a dog is training the animal to stay calm at all times.
Therefore, learning how to stop dogs from barking at everything is inevitable.
Whether you are a new pet owner or you just adopted a new pet that has proved to be a nuisance, it is time to tame your dog.
Actually, you never want to get embarrassed on the street walking with your dog or to get at loggerheads with your neighbours.
Therefore, let’s see what you need to do to stop your dog from worthless barking.
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Identify the Cause of the Barking
Actually, to solve any problem, you must identify the underlying cause.
For example, if you visit the doctor and you have a headache, they won’t blindly prescribe painkillers for the headache.
They will try to identify the cause of the symptoms.
In the same way, your dog has a problem of barking at everything.
Mostly, a dog can bark due to various reasons. Some of those reasons are:
- Territorial protection
- Lack of adequate exercise
- Long periods of loneliness
- Seeking for attention
- Frustration barking
- Fear of being startled
- Excitement barking
Actually, there are so many reasons as to why your dog keeps barking.
Therefore, once you get the trigger that makes your pet to be a bother, you can get a solution.
Notably, all these causes of barking need different approaches. Therefore, let’s see what you can do.
How to Stop Dogs from Barking At Everything
Use blinders
If your dog barks at visitors or anyone who passes by, it’s time to create some privacy.
Most likely, the dog sees the outsiders as a threat to its territory.
Therefore, if your dog stays out in the backyard, you need to put up an opaque wall to block the dog’s sight.
On the other hand, if the dog stays in the house and barks at people or other animals sees through the window, use curtains or blinders to limit the dog’s sight.
Also, if your dog barks at visitors who come at your door, you need to keep the dog never in a separate room.
Unfortunately, this may not be a lasting solution.
Create Formality with the stimulus
As we had noted, there is always a reason for your dogs barking. Maybe, your dog needs some socialization.
In that case, if your dog barks at objects, people, or other animals, it could be a sign that they feel frightened or threatened.
The best way is to use incentives to help your dog associate those stimuli with good things. First, keep the object far and gradually draw it near the dog.
Once the dog notices the object, distract it by giving a treat or food.
As the dog keeps seeing the object or new people, it will eventually realize they don’t mean any harm.
Keep your dog tired
Dogs need exercises to use up the enormous energy in them.
Surprisingly, some dogs have higher levels of energy than others, which makes them keep barking.
Therefore, if you have been wondering how to stop dogs from barking at everything, keep them tired.
Going for an hour-long walk on an inclined path is a great way to make your dog expend its energy.
In addition, you can spend more time out playing fetch games with the animal.
Specifically, most dogs require at least 30 minutes of play every day.
Teach your dog basic oral and visual commands
In essence, this should be the first step. Just like in school, where you start by learning ABC, teaching your dog to respond to basic oral and visual commands is paramount.
Some of the most basic commands are come, sit, and quiet. In this case, you need the “quiet” command.
At the same time, stay calm and avoid shouting at the dog. Actually, if you shout, you will be encouraging the dog to bark all the more.
Surprisingly, dogs understand visual signs better than verbal commands. So, if you combined the two, they would help you to stop your dogs from barking.
Ignore the barking for a while
At times, you need to ignore the barking. For example, if your dog barks when it wants to go out and you open the door, you will be reinforcing the barking.
Instead, you can ignore the dog for some time, give the “quiet” command. If the dog stops barking, compliment him/her for that. Then, before opening the door, always make sure you ring the bell you hang at the door.
In the long run, the dog will associate the bell with the opening of the door, and not barking.
Technically, whenever the dog is barking for attention, you can ignore them for a while and later associate a different sign with their need.
Use Professional Services
At times, you will find that you have no patience to learn new tricks on how to stop dogs from barking at everything.
So, the best is to get a professional dog trainer who will help you hack it out.
Notably, a professional dog trainer has seen it all in terms of dog training. In that case, they are the best people to go to when you need help with your dog.
They may offer to train the dog for you, or give you advice on what you need to do to stop your dog from unwarranted barking.
Read more: Train your dog to toilet
Final Take
So, have you been wondering how to stop your dog from barking at everything? Well, there are different ways that you can use to achieve your objective.
All the same, the first step is identifying what makes your dog bark. Once you know the cause, you can then decide which approach is most appropriate.
Most of all, before you can employ any method, you need to train your dog to respond to basic verbal and visual commands.
This will make any other training manageable.