Simple Ways on How to Train Your New Puppy Not to Bark

Bringing home a brand new puppy into your home is exciting for everyone. They look up at us with those big brown eyes and rub their cold little noses against our legs. Puppies are always very shy and nervous the first few weeks and before you know it they become accustomed to their new surroundings and the barking ensues. Here are some simple ways that you can train your new puppy and teach them not to bark. Start training your puppy at the very beginning when the barking first begins and the training time will be cut down to a minimal.

When you bring a new puppy into your home, they are always shy and timid and afraid, Everything has changed for them. They were taken from their mother and their environment that they knew so the first few weeks will be rough on everyone. Barking can be from the puppy being lonely, scared and frightened. They could also just want to be played with so spend plenty of time throughout the day playing ball or tug-of-war with your new puppy and when nap times come around, the puppy will be more than happy to lay down for naptime.

Once the new puppy does become adjusted to his new home and family, he will begin barking from wanting attention if he is left alone, especially during the night time. If your new puppy is kept in the bathroom or even a crate, what you can do is place a stuffed animal in the crate with him and also place a wind-up alarm clock with him. The ticking sound reminds puppies of their mother's heartbeat and seems to soothe away their fears.

When puppies first start in with their barking, whether they are inside the house or outside in the backyard, walk over to him/her and make them sit down and look them straight in their eyes and tell them very firmly, NO. Don't yell this out because this will only scare them and never ever hit them with your hands. Our hands are to give them our love with, not punish them with, so never hit a puppy to stop them from barking. This will teach the puppy to be more afraid of you and then more behavioral problems will ensue.

If they start right back in with the barking, walk back over to them, sit them down again, tell them no. You can give them a treat if they stop barking when you say no, but this will only teach them that they can bark and still get a treat. Give them lots of praise instead of treats for not barking.

You can also train your new puppy not to bark when the doorbell rings or when someone knocks on your door. Use the same training methods above. Walk over to them and make them sit and hold your hand out with the palm down and place your hand close to the face and tell them no. When you go to open the door to let guests in and the puppy follows you and is jumping up and down and barking and barking, just step in front of the puppy and do not open the door yet. Make him/her sit and then say no. Walk back over to the door and if the puppy gets up and walks over to the door, don't open the door yet and tell him no and make him sit. This will teach him that he does not bark when guests arrive at the door. Each time he listens, give him lots of praise and pats on the head. Puppies love attention and petting.

Many professional dog trainers use clickers and hand signals instead of voice commands as a training utensil. Either method is a proficient way in training a puppy not to bark. The use of citronella collars for training puppies/dogs not to bark is not recommended because this is looked upon as some sort of punishment and even though the collars just spray a whiff of citronella near their noses and does not cause any harm to the animal, this form of no-bark training is seen as an unpleasant experience for the puppies/dogs.

Shock collars are not recommended at all to use for no-barking training purposes. Shock collars emit an electrical shock to the animal and this type of treatment is considered animal cruelty.

Every puppy is capable of being trained not to bark at everything he sees and hears. It just takes time and plenty of patience. Puppies are cute and tiny and their barks are tiny too, but once the puppy grows up the bigger his bark becomes. If a puppy does not have proper training when little on not to bark, then once the puppy grows into an adult dog, the barking will only become a nuisance to not only the pet owners, but also for the neighbors. This could only cause more problems that are not necessary and can be prevented from the first.

Sources:

I worked as a veterinary technician for 10 years & learned a lot of valuable information.

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a licensed vet but I did learn many useful tips and information during my years working for one. The above information is intended for educational purposes only and shall not take the place of seeking professional medical advice from a licensed veterinarian or speak with a licensed professional dog trainer.