Do you have a problem with your dog barking too much? Here are nine tips which will help with bark control. These are long term dog training solutions, not just a quick fix, and there is no equipment to buy which may not work anyway! The solution to barking prevention is in your own hands, just take note of the stop barking tips and apply them to your individual circumstances.

1. 9 Tips to Stop Barking Dogs

2. Barking Solutions…
• If you think you have a problem with your dog
having an apparently insatiable demand for
noise of his own making, here are nine tips
which will help you work towards a solution.

3. First Things First
• Firstly you need to identify the cause of your
dog's persistent barking. Excessive barking is
usually related to an underlying issue. The
cause is probably behavioral. Common
examples of such underlying issues include
territorial barking, possibly because of some
external stimulus; attention seeking, barking
due to some physical discomfort, barking
through alarm or fear, and barking due to
loneliness, boredom and inactivity.

4. Applying The Remedy
• Having identified a reason for your dog's barking
behavior, you will then need to seek out a remedy
which will nullify the cause. Set out to apply this
remedy to your particular situation, but be prepared to
make small amendments as you proceed with the
training. Think of ways which will measure the progress
of the solution you are working towards. Although the
end result is to be able to control your dog's barking,
the frequency and consistency of a training method
will vary according to the speed of progress. Set out to
apply this remedy to your particular situation, but be
prepared to make small amendments as you proceed
with the training.

5. Patience
• Secondly, you should be aware from the start
that any dog behavior modification training
will take practice - and patience. It is
important not to rush or be impatient with
whichever method you choose as the best one
for your circumstances. Does your dog seem
happy? Is he treating it all as a game? You
definitely do not want him to be stressed out!

6. Parrot Fashion
• Begin with a simple exercise, introducing your
dog slowly to the training technique. Then
progressively spend slightly longer each time
you act on the method, Above all it is vital
that you carry it out consistently and regularly.
Repetition is the key, just like parrot fashion
education for humans. Never did me any
harm!

7. Is It Working Yet?
• Initially you may think that the method is not
working at all. However, as is the case with so
many things, just be persistent and keep at it
until you begin to see the result that makes
your efforts worthwhile. Keep each training
session brief, and be prepared for it to take
several weeks to reach your goal. You should
find that it becomes easier as time passes and
your dog grows used to his regular training.

8. Barking Is Not Rewarding
• Thirdly, you must never reward barking
behavior. This is particularly important in
puppyhood, which is also a good time to
engender in your puppy some confidence in
being alone. A puppy which is too strongly
bonded to his owner will become a dog which
will not be left alone without making an
enormous fuss. He may grow up to be an
anxious dog who will need some form of bark
control.

9. Bored Dogs Bark
• Fourthly, do not allow your dog to become bored.
Barking through boredom is a common trait in
many dogs, the working breeds in particular.
• Ensure that your dog does not go short of
exercise, and that he has plenty of toys to play
with, especially when you are busy or need to
leave him at home alone. Remember, bored dogs
bark.

10. The Distraction Approach
• Fifthly, identify what your dog enjoys doing.
Attract his attention to this enjoyable activity
when he is barking. He should recognize this
as an alternative to barking which he will
enjoy even more. Bear in mind of course that
a dog's bark is an instinctive response to his
surroundings, and it is his natural form of
expression. No owner should wish to
contemplate their dog's exuberant outgoing
personality being negatively affected.

11. Follow It Through
• Sixthly, always be consistent in your training. Find
a reliable dog training method, act upon it, and
follow it through. For example, you should avoid
confusing your dog by yelling at him to shut up on
some occasions, then being patient when you are
using one of the training techniques. If your dog
feels that he has gained your attention by
barking, just as he wanted, then you will have
been inconsistent by using negative
reinforcement. Remember, you need to apply
consistent reinforcement techniques in whatever
training your dog has undertaken.

12. It Can Be Rewarding
• Seventh, reward your dog when he is not
barking, especially if he has just become quiet
after a spell of barking. After all, if he
understands that being quiet will bring its own
reward, then what do you think he will choose
to do? You will need to have some particularly
tasty rewards handy, whatever your dog's
favorite treat is. Avoid giving him this treat on
other occasions for the length of the training
plan.

13. Think Like A Dog
• Eighth, try to think like your dog! Put yourself in his
paws. For example, think how you would be affected
by whatever external stimuli may be causing him to
bark. Then decide on a different way of doing things so
that you - or your dog - will no longer be affected by it.
Another example may be of a dog which barks a lot
when he has been left alone and is quite likely to be an
insecure dog. Why has my pack leader left me? Where
have they gone? What are they doing without me?
Your dog may be conditioned to expecting you to dote
on his every whim, but he does need to learn how to
be alone. Try to use some lateral thinking to
circumvent your dog's thought processes.

14. No PBarking!
• You can read more stop dog barking solutions in the
author's free report on dog barking control, Do You
Want to Stop Your Dog Barking? at this address:
http://www.barking.dogtoysreview.com/Woof.html