Figuring out how to stop puppies from barking becomes
difficult when the barking is done out of depression. Dogs begin barking simply
because their owner is not around. In some cases, the barking starts when the
owner leaves for work. In other cases, the dog barks ANY time their owner is
not in their presence.
The problem gets worse if an owner caves in to the barking.
If they give the dog any form of attention, it just reinforces the negative
behavior. Fortunately, other solutions are out there. You just have to decide
which method you want to use.
The most effective method to stopping the barking involves
punishing the behavior when it happens. Almost every dog owner knows about
“No,” but there are other non-violent alternatives to consider. One involves
shaking up a can full of pebbles. The annoying sound that results will
encourage your dog to not want to bark. If this doesn’t work, you can move onto
a more extreme method. Use a squirt bottle to spray water into the dog’s face.
This has a stronger psychological impact, since the water catches the dog off
guard.
Another thing you can do is address your dog’s need for attention.
This strategy is often forgotten when people try to stop puppy barking.
However, for many dogs it can be quite effective. What you would have to do is
find a way to entertain your dog when you are not around. Toys will help for
awhile, but eventually they will bore your puppy.
For this reason, you may want to consider showing your puppy
a specialized dog movie. The keyword here is “specialized.” Benji or other
famous dog movies won’t work because they are designed for human entertainment.
Instead, you need something designed for dogs only.
The Movie for Dogs is an example, and it is readily
available on the Internet. Simply pop the DVD into your computer and run
Windows Media. Make sure the “Repeat” setting is on, and that your screensaver
is turned off. The movie will entertain your dog all day long.
If this doesn’t work, consider getting obedience training.
It is the last line of defense when trying to stop puppies from barking. During
each session, the trainer will teach you and your dog how to improve his
behavior. You may even get an added benefit if you decide to opt for canine
training.
While this is more expensive than traditional
obedience training, it is a great option for people in need of a guard dog.
Through it, dogs will learn how to limit their barks to dangerous situations.
Other types of training may do the opposite, since dogs may start to think that
barking at all is a bad thing.
