How to Train Your Dog to Not Bark at Neighbors
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.
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.
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.
The Mark and Bark Method
The Basic Concepts Method
The Meet the Neighbors Method
Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
scoobie
when my neighbors dog comes out in his yard my dog runs out and barks at him and is very acessive how do i fix it
463 Dog owners recommended
Hello Dololres, Is your dog normally dog-aggressive or does he only respond to your neighbors dog that way? If Scoobie is normally friendly toward other dogs and your neighbors dog is also friendly and well socialized, I suggest coordinating a meet and greet in a neutral place with your neighbor and their dog, somewhere like the park or another part of your neighborhood, so that it's neither dog's territory. Take the dogs on a walk together and help them to get to know one another in a calm, structured way from simply hanging out together while doing something purposeful like heeling down the street. Have these walks regularly until the dogs are familiar with one another. Once they are friends, there should be less territorial-ism about the yard. If your dog normally does not get along with other dogs, you need to work on dealing with his aggression toward all dogs. I suggest joining a G.R.O.W.L. class in your area to safely socialize him with other dogs. G.R.O.W.L. classes are classes specifically for dog-aggressive or reactive dogs, who are socialized in a close careful setting under the supervision of a trainer while wearing muzzles to keep everyone safe. The class tends to work quicker than socializing more gradually from a distance. Also, work on teaching her the "Quiet" command so that you can clearly communicate to her what to do and she will understand. Check out the article that I have linked below and follow the "Quiet" method. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Was this experience helpful?
When I take my 3-year-old male Aussie named Marley for a walk he consistently barks and lunges at anyone we pass. However, whenever he is introduced to new people or dogs off-leash, he does just fine. We had learned to just live with it, but now that we have moved into a new condo with a gated front porch, the problem is worse than ever. Marley will bark at any person walking by with such rage my neighbors are scared of him. Again, he has never exhibited any signs of aggression towards people or another dog, but his bark is deafening and quite frankly terrifying. How do I correct these behaviors before it escalates? Bark collar didn't phase him.
463 Dog owners recommended
Hello, First, work on teaching the "Quiet" command. Check out the article linked below and the Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Second, work on correcting the barking using an interuptor, such as a Pet Convincer (which is a small canister of pressurized, unscented air). A remote training collar with adjustable levels and vibration feature can also be used but you need a good one for it to work properly and to learn how to use it on the correct level, fitted correctly, and with the right timing. Some dogs will redirect aggression and bite whoever is close by if interrupted (and sometimes just standing there) so a remote training collar is better for dogs that may do this - so that you don't have to be near the dog when correcting. When pup barks, command "Quiet" (once you have taught that command). If he obeys, reward with a treat and calm praise. If he keeps barking calmly correct while saying "Ah Ah" in a calm tone of voice (avoid sounding angry or excited...Calmness can help pup calm down too). Check out the video linked below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfiDe0GNnLQ Third, desensitize pup to the things he is barking at - people mostly. Whenever he sees a person, hears something he would normally bark at, or is generally tempted to bark, BEFORE he barks, while he is calm, and/or if he stays quiet when you command quiet, calmly tell him "Good" and reward with a treat (you can keep his daily kibble in a ziplock bag in your pocket right now for this). The goal is to reward his good behavior while also gradually helping him associate people and staying calm around people with good things. When you aren't home to enforce all this he should be confined in a room where he can't look outside or crated away from windows and the balcony - you don't want him practicing the bad behavior while you are trying to replace it with a good behavior - that will interfere with your training efforts. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Add a comment to Marley's experience
Was this experience helpful?
Add a comment to scoobie's experience