How do I get my dog to stop barking in public places?
Isaias Haley
2025-06-20 22:29:58
Count answers: 2
In order to get your dog to settle, rather than bark, it's important to consider why they're barking. There are a number of different types of bark, and I have outlined the most common types of bark you might be experiencing below, so that you can start to think about and decipher the ‘why’ for your individual dog. Alert barking is typically triggered by something your dog has been startled by or is making you ‘alert’ to. This type of bark does not usually last long. Nervous or fearful barking is where your dog is telling you that they are overwhelmed with the current situation they are in, and it is too much for them. If you are unsure which type of bark matches the barking you are experiencing from your dog, an experienced behaviourist can help you with this. That way you can start to put the correct plan in place for your individual dog and scenario.
Ronaldo Kovacek
2025-06-20 22:22:27
Count answers: 4
If you think your dog is barking to get your attention, ignore them until they stop. Giving them your attention, even to tell them to be quiet, only rewards their bad behavior. When your dog finally stops barking, even if it’s just to take a breath, give them a treat. A great way to improve your dog’s reactivity to a certain stimulus, such as encountering strangers and meeting new people, is to slowly and consistently increase their exposure to it over time—and to make sure their interactions with that stimulus are positive. For example, if you want to get your dog used to encountering strangers without barking, enlist a friend your dog is unfamiliar with and have them stand at a distance. They must be far enough away that your dog won’t bark at them. Getting enough physical and mental stimulation every day means your dog will be less likely to bark out of boredom or frustration. Depending on your dog’s age, health, and breed, they might require a few long walks, a good game of fetch and some interactive toys to stay stimulated. Dog daycare is also a great option to familiarize your dog to strangers and also provides a great form of stimulation. A great way to do this is to visit areas where your dog is likely to encounter dog-savvy strangers.
Franz Russel
2025-06-20 17:14:55
Count answers: 3
To address excessive barking, make sure your dog has enough to do every day to stop them from getting bored. Establish a good routine – your dog may be barking to communicate that they want to play, want food or need attention. A good routine can help your dog to know what activities and going to happen and when. This may stop them from barking for things at other times. If your dog is barking when you're not around they may be experiencing distress when you are not present. You can try preventing your dog from seeing anybody passing the house by reducing access to windows or gardens. It's a good idea to have tasty treats and exciting toys to hand – you can use these to distract your dog. Ideally, this would happen before they start barking, or you could use a treat to interrupt their behaviour. Dogs bark for so many different reasons and so it's necessary to discover what the cause is. Asking for advice from an expert can help you to understand what is causing the behaviour and they'll also be able to point you in the right direction for help.
Justen Stoltenberg
2025-06-20 17:10:27
Count answers: 7
To get your dog to stop barking in public places, make sure your dog has an adequate amount of physical and mental exercise before you leave in the morning. A tired dog is more likely to rest when you’re not at home. A dog that has had many positive experiences with all ages and types of people, including people on bikes, in wheelchairs, children, etc., is less likely to bark at them. Letting your dog meet the mailman and the UPS driver, for example, and asking them to give your dog a treat can help. Use a calm, firm voice to tell your dog to be “quiet” and positively reinforce correct behavior with treats and affection. Don’t respond to barking dogs, wait until your dog is quiet to give them what they want. Earn a Canine Good Citizen Title, the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is the gold standard of how dogs should behave. If you feel they’re barking excessively, your best bet is to figure out the cause of the barking and address it consistently and patiently.