How to Train Your Dog to Not Bark at Neighbors
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Introduction
Hey, we all know dogs are going to bark. It's their natural and only way to communicate with each other and the rest of the world. While most dogs will bark for a good reason, there are some that seem to bark for little or no reason, such as when the neighbors come out in their yard. Some breeds are more prone to excessive barking than others. Often, it is not the need to train your dog not to bark at all (this isn't likely to happen), it is the need to train your pup not to bark at specific times. Your neighbors are sure to appreciate the fact that they will finally be able to go out in their yard without your pup going ballistic.
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Defining Tasks
Essentially, the concept is to stop your dog from barking at
your neighbors. In order to do that, you first need to understand why your dog
is barking in the first place. There are four basic reasons why your dog keeps
barking at the neighbors.
- Protectiveness:
Your pup sees your yard as his territory and he is barking to let everyone else
know it.
- Fear: Maybe your
neighbors startle your pup when they come out in the backyard.
- Greeting: Maybe
your pup is simply trying to say "Hi!" to your neighbors or their
dog.
- Excessive: This
can be an indication that your dog's needs are simply not being met.
No matter the cause, your job is to teach your dog not to bark at the neighbors or, for that matter, anyone else who happens to walk by your house. Bear in mind, you should never yell at your dog to stop barking, this will only exacerbate the situation. Make training sessions fun and positive or your dog will not want to learn.
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Getting Started
The simple fact is that you can teach a dog to stop barking in most situations. No, you will not be able to stop his barking completely (short of surgically removing his voice box, which is not recommended), but at least you can train him when it is okay to bark and when it's not. You can use a variety of commands such as "No bark!" or "Stop barking!" You will need plenty of your pup's favorite treats and, if you use one, a training clicker. The most important thing to remember is that you need to be consistent with your pup, anything less will only lead to confusion that will make the barking worse, not better. One last thing, a muzzle is no substitute for proper training and should never be used to keep your dog from barking.
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The Mark and Bark Method
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Most Recommended
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Mark his barking
The minute your dog starts to bark, use a word like "Yes!" and give him a treat. It is vital you mark his bark as soon as he starts. If he won't bark, try making him bark using something that typically gets him excited enough to bark.
Add a cue to the bark
Now when he starts to bark add a cue word like "Speak". Then use the cue word to get him to bark and use the same mark and reward as in the previous step. Repeat this until your dog matches the command to the action. This helps your dog to understand that he gets a reward for barking on cue but at no other time.
Wait him out
Now you have to wait him out. No cue, no actions, nothing, just wait for him to bark. It won't take long since he has just learned he gets rewards for barking. When he does, do not reward him or use your mark word. Instead, treat him to a few seconds of silence and then tell him to "Speak!" and use your mark and reward. Again, repeat this step until he knows when to bark on cue and not to unless you give the cue.
End the barking
Now it's time to put an end to the barking. Give your pup the bark cue and when stops barking give him your quiet cue (You can use "Quiet!" or "Hush!" or anything else), it doesn't matter as long as you are consistent and give him a treat. Keep repeating this until you can anticipate when he is ready to stop barking, then give your quiet command and treat him when he obeys. This is going to take a while, so be patient.
Bark/no bark
Now that your dog has demonstrated his ability to speak only when he is given the command, you should practice this step frequently. Mix and match this with other skills to get him used to recognizing the commands and acting upon them the instant he hears them.
Going outside
Move the training outside and have your neighbor help you out by walking out into his yard and wandering around in a way that would normally make your pup bark. Use the quiet command to make him stop barking. Repeat until he no longer tries to bark when your neighbors are in their backyards. Just remember to be patient and never scold your pup when he gets it wrong, just use the quiet command and reward him when he behaves.
The Basic Concepts Method
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Effective
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Come inside
The last thing your pup wants to do is spend a lot of time out in the yard away from his "pack". Leaving him out in the yard for long periods can lead to a number of behavioral problems, including excessive barking at the neighbors.
Walk and play
Be sure to take your dog for long walks every day and play with him as much as you can. The more you can keep your pup tired out, the less energy he is going to have to spend barking at his neighbors.
Introductions all round
Since your dog seems to feel the neighbors are a threat and that his job is to scare them away by barking, it is time you introduce them to each other. Do so in a calm manner and let your pup get to know them so that he can see they pose no threat.
Train your dog to bark on command
Spend time working with your pup, teaching him to bark on command. Use a cue word like "speak" as he starts to bark and give him a treat. Repeat this until you can tell your pup to speak and he starts barking. Be sure to use lots of treats and praise.
Train your dog to stop barking on command
Now that you can get your dog to start barking on command, it's time to teach him to stop barking on command. You can practice this by catching him just as he stops barking and using the command 'quiet' or your choice of commands. When he does, be sure to reward him with a treat and plenty of praise. Keep working at this until he will only bark on command and stops the minute you tell him to. This will teach him to remain quiet in the yard unless you tell him to speak.
The Meet the Neighbors Method
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Effective
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Plan a dinner date
If you are on good terms with your neighbors, get together with them and plan a dinner date for them to come over to your home.
No contact
When your neighbors arrive, have them completely ignore your pup. This means no eye contact, no petting, just ignore him.
Give treats
Give your neighbors a handful of his favorite treats and have them slowly drop them one at a time on the floor.
Limited interactions
Once your pup seems to be comfortable with the neighbors, you can start to allow limited interaction between them.
Go outside and play
Take everyone outside and engage in a little fun and games. This is a great way to give your pup the time he needs to get to know your neighbors and will stop his barking at him.
By PB Getz
Published: 11/01/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Millie
wirehair pointer
Two Years
Question
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Hi! My dog is excessively barking at my neighbors. Particularly the lady that lives there. She is very scared of my dog and doesn't come outside much so I think my dog barks at her because she is scared too. We don't have any fences between our houses but my dog wears a boundary collar and I have trained her to not go over there. However she still barks very aggressively at my neighbors every time they go outside. She has never hurt anyone and is very friendly. I just don't know how to train her to stop barking at them.
Sept. 22, 2022
Millie's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, With that said, I would start by practicing the Quiet method from the article I have linked below. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Once pup knows Quiet, then recruit people pup doesn't know well and will bark at, like friends and family to walk past your property. As soon as pup sees them, before or after pup has barked, command Quiet, then wait until pup takes a break in the barking for at least a second, and quickly praise and reward while pup is still quiet. Have the "stranger" pass by and practice pup being quiet until pup no longer barks at all when the person passes by, in anticipation of being told Quiet and earning a reward. Practice rewarding pup's quietness, without the initial barking, while the person passes by several times at this point as well. When pup no longer barks when the first person comes by, recruit a new friend or family member to practice with. You will need to end the training session for that day once pup is consistently quiet, but the same person can probably come another day and pup will bark again and you can practice Quiet more...you can practice with that same person if they are willing until pup doesn't bark at all when the person comes for training sessions. Practice this type of training often with various people until pup no longer barks when a person comes by and you are outside with pup. At this point, pup will probably decide they can bark when you are not there still, and will bark then. If pup is outside at times when you are not there and you need pup to be quiet at those times too, then I would introduce a remote training collar at this point. I would choose one with a beep and stimulation settings, so you can beep the collar while you are there when you say "Quiet" so pup will learn that the beep means Quiet, then correct pup on their working level - which is the lowest level pup indicates they can feel the collar on, determined ahead of time in a calm environment, if pup doesn't obey the Quiet command and beep. If pup obeys and gets quiet, reward. Eventually with practice, when you are inside and you hear pup barking, you can beep the collar to remind pup to be quiet, then correct on the stimulation mode when pup doesn't obey and is still barking. Once pup is quiet and calm about people passing your home, you can also have the friends and family you know, that pup thinks are strangers, toss a couple treats over the boundary line to pup while pup is staying quiet and calm, to help pup associate the "strangers" themselves with good things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cl3V8vYobM Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Sept. 22, 2022
Lucy
Golden Retriever
19 Months
Question
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My dog loves my neighbors. Actually, she loves everyone. She wears a shock collar to keep her in my yard. She is not aggressive. When my neighbor comes outside Lucy will run to her limited distance toward my neighbors. They don’t get mad at her, but it is annoying. My neighbors love Lucy. They pet her a lot. What do you suggest I do?
June 11, 2022
Lucy's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Danny, Is she barking while running toward them? If so, I would work on the Desensitize and Quiet methods from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark I would also condition pup that whenever the neighbors go outside, practice having pup on a long training leash, like 20-40 foot, then reel pup in to yourself and give pup a treat when they arrive - teaching pup to come see you and focus on you with the neighbor's appearance as the cue to do that. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
June 13, 2022