How to Stop a Dog From Barking: The Reasons Dogs Bark and How to Stop It

By Tara Tisdale

You might be wondering how to stop a dog from barking because you think that barking is a nuisance. In some cases, it probably is an irritant. The constant sound of a barking dog can really get one your nerves after awhile. It is similar to hearing a baby cry for hours on end!

Keep in mind that barking is not always a bad thing. Barking is your dog's way of communicating and talking to you and other dogs. Just as humans have a need to talk, so do our dogs.

So why do dogs bark? What in the world are they trying to say?

First, the barking may be due to the breed. For instance, Beagles are hunting dogs and their breeding lends itself to barking and howling. There are many such breeds that are simply ingrained to bark.

Other times, it may be because the dog perceives a threat of some kind. To a dog, seeing a person walk down the street in front of your house may be a threat. Anything that has the potential to threaten their little world is important.

Often, dogs bark for other reasons such as being hungry, lonely or bored. They may need to go outside. They are simply talking to you in their own language.

Sometimes dogs are barking for inappropriate reasons that do become a hassle. You cannot just ignore that kind of problem and hope it will stop on its own. This is when dog training becomes a necessity.

There are certainly other ways you can stop a dog that barks. You may decide to use a squirt bottle to spray the dog with water when it barks. You might also buy a citronella or bark collar. There are other methods, however, that you can learn at home using a good dog training course. This is often a cheaper and less upsetting way to go. - 29953

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