Most people don't mind if a dog barks every so often, especially if the dog is alerting the owner and neighbors to dangers. But if your dog is a habitual barker, set off by everything from a puff of air or a cat sashaying by the residence, you and your neighbors might be on the verge of insanity!
First, find out why your dog is barking before you try to stop it. Is he or she bored? Do you leave them out in the yard with nothing to do or is there too much auditory, visual and olfactory stimulation for the dog? Your dog may need some toys, something to chew, a better shelter or more playtime with you. If your inside dog flies out the door every time the wind turns a leaf, he may be bored or she may just need more channels for her energies.
Now that you've thought about why the dog barks and eliminated boredom and loneliness, here's how to stop their annoying, pointless barking. Whenever they begin their frantic barking, reach for the can! A coffee can or other metal container containing 5-10 pennies is your tool for painless behavior correction. Dogs hate the sound of the can being shaken and will usually stop their barking immediately. Put the can down and praise them for being quiet, perhaps give them a small treat. This way, they won't associate you with the horrible sound they've just heard. Most dogs' barking is significantly reduced after 2-3 times of hearing the can! They will still bark at intruders but the neighborhood cats and other animals will no longer send the dog into that annoying, endless staccato barking at all hours of the day and night.
Before using this method, make very sure that your dog is not barking out of fear. In that case, this training aid can do more harm than good. Eliminating barking from fear is a different training technique altogether and should never involve irritation, a startling sound and certainly no training should ever employ force or cruelty.
A very calm Cookie after I trained her to stop her insane barking!
