Tips to quiet barking

Dogs bark. It’s part of dog ownership. They may bark for attention, for their dinner or at everything that moves! Maybe the barking has become background noise for you and your family or maybe it’s driving you—and your neighbors—mad! But is there anything you can do to stop the bark? Once behaviors like barking are established, it can be hard to reverse the behavior, but it is possible. Try the steps below to battle the bark.

First, it’s important to:

1. Make sure your dog’s needs are being met, including a place to rest, lots of exercise and mental stimulation, social interaction with your family and positive-reinforcement training. 
2. Avoid leaving your dog alone in your yard for long periods of time.
3. Provide socialization with a wide variety of sights, sounds and smells with different dogs, cats and people. These experiences can help prevent barking as your pet becomes used to different stimulants. 

The A-B-C method of training
Dogs repeat behaviors that have a positive result. When you’re trying to change barking behavior, consider your dog’s point of view. What does the barking accomplish? What’s the result when they bark? You want to modify the situation to improve your dog’s behavior. Consider the following A-B-C method:

A = Antecedent. Identify what happens right before your dog barks.
B = Behavior. Barking is the behavior, but it may be accompanied by other behaviors. 
C = Consequence. This is what happens during or right after the barking, or the “result” from your dog’s point of view.

A training plan means you must first identify A, B and C. Next, you need to determine how you can change A and C so that B can change. While the exact training will differ from family to family and dog to dog, most barking issues can be reversed using positive reinforcement.

For example, say your dog barks at you for attention. The following may represent what is currently happening:

A = You’re present, but perhaps making dinner or otherwise distracted.
B = Your dog barks for your attention.
C = You look at your dog and tell them to be quiet.

From your dog’s point of view, they got your attention, even if it was you saying, “Be quiet!” Your dog may continue to bark, and you may continue to provide “attention” or a “reward” by telling them to stop. 

1. To prevent this cycle, avoid responding. Do not give your dog any attention when they bark. This may not always be easy.
2. If your dog barks for your attention, look away, walk away or lean away from them. As soon as your dog has quieted down, provide calm attention and a treat or special praise for their good behavior. 
3. If your dog continues to bark, make sure they have water and food, or take them out for an elimination break—they may be trying to tell you they need something!

The desired A-B-C pattern is:

A = You’re present, but perhaps making dinner or are otherwise distracted
B = Before your dog has a chance to bark, call them over and ask them to sit, look or lie down. 
C = You provide calm attention.

Always notice and praise correct behavior. This may mean rewarding your dog for doing absolutely nothing! Rewarding your dog for calm, quiet behavior reinforces it, meaning it will happen more frequently.

Is your dog’s barking still difficult to manage? If you’re having trouble identifying the A-B-Cs, the above method isn’t working or you’re feeling frustrated, book an appointment with your VCA veterinarian for additional help. 

Book an appointment through the myVCA app today! >>