Before we dive into the methods, let me introduce you to our experience. Together with my corgi, Asti, we’ve been through various dog training courses, each one offering different approaches to managing behavior, including barking.
Over time, we’ve discovered a simple and effective way that works for us, and I’d like to share it with you. This method will help you understand each other better and find a compromise when it comes to dealing with dog barking.
So, let’s talk about how to manage your dog’s barking without stress or frustration.
There is no universal strategy for teaching a dog to stop barking. Each type of bark is a different situation that requires its own set of tools and correction methods.
A dog may bark from excitement, during play, from joy when greeting someone, or, on the contrary, while guarding its home. Each situation involves a different kind of bark. And one type of bark can evolve into another.
If a dog barks a lot, it’s a sign that it’s anxious and stressed. Due to stress, the dog might sleep less, become irritable, and behave worse—such as getting into conflicts with the owner or displaying poor hygiene habits around the house.
Today, we’ll focus on how to work with a specific type of barking—guard barking, when the dog is protecting its home and reacting to sounds outside.
What is Guard Barking?
Guard barking occurs when a dog is protecting its territory and uses its voice to alert others of potential danger.
If a dog barks at sounds from the hallway or door, it’s simply doing its job, reacting to a potential threat.
For a dog, guard barking is a key part of its self-realization process.
Signs of Guard Barking:
- The dog is not afraid; it barks loudly and confidently
- It barks at something specific
- Once the trigger disappears, the dog calms down.
How to Train the Dog to Stop Guard Barking
We don’t punish or scold the dog. If you scold the dog for guard barking, it will only bark louder next time. To the dog, this looks like: “I’m doing my job, scaring away the intruder, but my owner is unhappy. That means I’m not doing well, so I should bark even more.”
We introduce the “Chicken Coop” game. This is when the owner actively praises the dog and then suddenly runs in the opposite direction. When the dog catches up, we reward it with a tasty treat, praise, and release.
The idea is that the dog immediately responds to the praise and chases after the owner. It knows a reward is coming, so it reacts right away.
Important Note: We don’t recommend eliminating guard barking completely. Dogs need a “job” for self-realization. If we stop a dog from guarding the house and barking at strangers, we will need to replace it with something else, like search, protection, or herding work.
Organizing this in an apartment is much harder than allowing the dog to bark at perceived dangers. So, we should reduce the barking but not eliminate it entirely.ely.
How to Manage the Barking:
Step 1: What to Do:
As soon as the dog starts barking at a sound, we immediately praise it.
When the dog runs to us, continue praising and give a treat.
Continue this for at least 30 seconds.
When the dog gets distracted and forgets why it was barking, we stop.
Step 2: What to Do:
We categorize sounds based on when the dog should and should not react. For example, noise in the hallway before the door means potential danger, so the dog should bark. A key turning in the lock means the owner is coming home—no barking is needed.
For barking at desirable situations, continue rewarding with food and praise. For barking at undesirable situations, stop praising and do not offer treats. If you keep rewarding barking at appropriate moments, the dog will adjust and only bark when it’s truly necessary.
Additional Solutions for Other Types of Barking
Now, let’s explore some other common types of barking and how to handle them:
- How to Stop Dog Barking at Night
Dogs may bark at night due to anxiety, fear, or discomfort. Establish a bedtime routine, ensure your dog’s environment is calm, and address any potential discomfort to reduce night barking. - How to Stop Dog Barking at Other Dogs
Barking at other dogs can be a sign of excitement or territorial behavior. Use positive reinforcement to reward calm behavior when near other dogs, and practice controlled introductions. - How to Stop Dog Barking at Strangers
Dogs often bark at strangers out of curiosity or fear. Socialization is key, and gradually exposing your dog to new people in a controlled way can help reduce barking at strangers. - How to Stop Dog Barking from Separation Anxiety
If your dog barks when left alone, this could be due to separation anxiety. Start by gradually increasing the time you spend apart, creating positive associations with your absence, and using crate training. - How to Stop Dog Barking at the TV
Dogs may bark at the TV if they are reacting to movement or sounds. Desensitize them to the TV by rewarding calm behavior when the TV is on, and use commands like “quiet” to stop unwanted barking. - How to Stop Dog Barking at the Door
Barking at the door can be caused by excitement or territorial behavior. Train your dog to stay calm when the doorbell rings by using commands like “sit” and rewarding quiet behavior. - How to Stop Dog Barking at Food
If your dog barks excessively when it sees food, implement training that reinforces patience. Use commands like “wait” and reward calm behavior when food is being prepared or served.
By incorporating these strategies, you can address different types of barking and help your dog feel more secure, calm, and less inclined to bark excessively.