How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking Without a Shock Collar

I refuse to use any sort of anti-bark device on him, so I have to rely on behavior shaping. It works, and the theory behind it makes perfect sense.

Your dog is typically barking for a reason. If you can figure out the reason, you can eliminate the barking. He may be anxious, seeking attention, or he may be warning you. I am going to teach you how to control the warning barks.

Notice I said, "I will teach you how to control the warning barks." I will not teach you how to completely eliminate these. But, don't give up on me.

Your dog is warning you. Do you still want him to warn you when you are asleep and someone is breaking into your home? The answer is probably yes. So, all you need to do is train your dog how to recognize they have done their job. You need a way to tell them the squirrel running by the window is not going to rob your home.

You need some tiny treats and about ten minutes a day. I use Old Mother Hubbard's Bitz because. in my opinion, they have quality ingredients. I don't mind giving him a handful per training session. Just make sure to use a bite size treat during training, keeping your dog's weight in mind.

Take your dog to a place in your home where he or she is not going to be easily distracted from your training. Try to simulate an event where your dog will sound warning barks. In my case, knocking on the door will do the trick.

I ask someone in my family to step outside the door where our training session is taking place and give it a knock, or even better--ring the doorbell. I let my dog give me one or two warning barks. Firmly, state a command you will use consistently use to tell your dog to stop barking.

My command is "enough". After the command and as soon as he stops barking, even for a second, I reward him immediately with a treat.

It is important to reward with treats immediately while the dog is quiet. This way, he understands he is being rewarded for not barking. Repeat this technique for ten minutes using the same command.

I do not suggest using "no" as a command. Try to pick a fresh command for this technique. If you are like me, I have a feeling you have already tried telling your dog, "no" when he barks. If there is no training behind the command, it will not work. Use anything else. Any word will do. "Watermelon!"

Also, I advise you to practice the meaning of firm. A command probably won't work if it is a scream or a whine on your part. It took me a while, but I have mastered my firm voice. If you are a parent, this step is probably already done. A firm command sounds loud and low; stiff, unyielding.

Continue these ten minute training sessions daily. Your dog should quickly realize the correlation between your command, not barking, and receiving a reward.

The next time a leaf blows past the window, your dog will probably still bark. But, when you say "enough", he should stop barking in hopes of a reward. You won't always have a treat handy, but try to at least give him verbal praise or pet him for quieting at your command.

He is, after all, doing you a great service!