Quiet Please! 9 Tips to Turn Down the Doggy Decibel

Does your furry friend sound more like an alarm at the front door than a beloved pooch?

Constant barking can be ruff on everyone’s ears – yours, your neighbors’, and even your dog’s!

But before you resort to desperate measures (like earplugs or moving to Kilimanjaro), let’s explore why your pup might be barking and how to turn those loud woofs into happy wags.

1. Determine the reason for the barking

Dogs bark for many reasons, including boredom, fear, anxiety, and hunger.

Is it people walking by, the mailman’s arrival, or the neighbor’s cat taunting from afar?

Some barks mean that the buddy is being protective and alerting you to a potential threat.

Whenever you see your furry friend looking at you, it’s asking for something.

It could be to go outside to pee or it might be for you to play with it.

But you’re on the phone or working on a project or reading something really interesting.

The pet may not know that you’re busy and will just keep nagging you until you give it what it wants.

Remember, they are masters at reading body language!

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loud dog barking

2. Try bark collar

Ditch the shock collars! Opt for models that emit sounds or vibrations, which are just as effective without causing discomfort.

The goal is to train, not punish!

Barking often stems from underlying issues like anxiety, boredom, or excitement.

A dog collar won’t address these root causes; it’s a tool to complement, not replace, proper training and enrichment.

Don’t leave the collar on 24/7.

Introduce it gradually during training sessions, and always pair its activation with positive reinforcement when your canine remains quiet.

3. Use positive reinforcement

Did you know that you can use positive reinforcement to train your beloved pooch?

That’s right – by rewarding the dog for good behavior, you can help it to learn what you expect from it.

It’s important to be consistent with your rewards so the dogs know that they are being rewarded for the behavior that you want to see.

Make sure that the rewards are something that the buddy values – otherwise it won’t be motivated to behave in the way that you want it to.

Reward the furry friends when they don’t bark with treats, petting, or verbal praise.

This will let them know that they are doing what you want and will encourage them to continue behaving in this manner.

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petting the canine

4. Exercise your dog regularly

Just like humans, dogs need exercise to maintain their health and happiness.

Daily walks, playtime, and interactive toys help channel energy and combat boredom, the root of much unnecessary barking.

Give them ample playtime and exercise, whether it’s a joyful run in the park, a game of fetch in the backyard, or a stimulating sniff-and-seek adventure.

A happy, tired pup is less likely to bark out of boredom and more likely to shower you with love and wags!

5. Create a calm environment

If you want your buddy to feel calm and relaxed, it’s important to create a calm environment for it.

This means keeping the noise and activity level down and providing it with a comfortable place to rest.

One way to help the dog relax is to make sure it has a comfortable place to sleep.

This could be a bed in the room, or a blanket in their crate.

Dogs can sense when their humans are stressed, which can lead to increased barking.

To create a peaceful environment for  your pup, try things like playing soft music or providing chew toys.

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pet listening to music

6. Teach your dog the “quiet” command

This can be a useful tool in many situations, such as when you have company over and your canine is barking at the door, or when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep!

Luckily, it’s not as difficult as it may seem.

Here are a few tips on how to teach the furry friend the quiet command:

  • Start by teaching the dog the speak command! It will help them understand what you want them to do when you give the quiet command (word “quiet” or “shhh”).
  • Once the beloved pooch knows the speak command, have it bark and then immediately give the quiet command.
  • Reward the furry friend (favorite treat).

With a little patience and some consistent training, the dog can learn to be quiet on cue in no time.

7. Ignore the barking

In some cases, the best way to stop the dog from barking is simply to ignore it altogether.

If the barking is attention-seeking behavior, rewarding it with your attention will only reinforce the behavior.

Instead, wait until the canine is quiet before giving it any attention (positive or negative).

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ignore the barking of the dog

8. Distraction techniques

Dogs are often motivated to bark by something that has their attention.

This might be another pet, a person walking by, or a bike riding by.

For example, if your furry friend is barking at neighbor dog, try to get the dog’s attention by calling it a name and rewarding it when it looks at you. 

It’s all about getting their attention onto something else (with a favorite toy or treat.)

9. Be consistent

Dogs are creatures of habit, so it’s important to be consistent with your rules and expectations around barking.

Training takes time and patience. Be consistent with your chosen methods, and don’t give up!

With dedication and these handy tips, you can transform your barking buddy into a peaceful pooch – and reclaim your sanity in the process.

If everyone in the household is on the same page, the pet will be more likely to listen and respond accordingly.

Bonus tipTalk to a professional

You’ve tried everything and nothing seems to be working?

It may be time to consult with a veterinary behaviorist or certified applied animal behaviorist about your dog’s barking issue.

They’ll be able to assess the situation and provide you with custom guidance on how to best address it.

My dog barks with joy when I come home! How to stop it?

Who wouldn’t want a furry alarm clock excitedly announcing your return? A wagging tail and happy barks – pure love, right?

Some might say rewarding this “disruptive” behavior is bad, especially for late-night arrivals. But hey, it’s just happiness, not danger! So, why change it?

Well, maybe consider this: neighbors, early mornings, and the need for a peaceful household.

Solution? Not punishment, but understanding!

Here’s the secret: sometimes, ignoring the barking is actually the key. Stay calm, don’t make eye contact, and wait until they quiet down. Then? Unleash the love!

Pets, praise, maybe even a treat – shower them with affection for being the good boy/girl they are. This teaches them that calmness, not noise, gets the party started.

Train your dog a “quiet” or “place” command. This redirects their energy and shows them that being calm is the way to go. It gives you a handy “off switch” for those particularly enthusiastic moments.

Keep them occupied with engaging toys while you settle in. A busy mind is a quiet mind, and it reduces barking out of boredom.

Finally, I must say, these methods just aren’t for me!

When someone is overjoyed to see you, it’s a fantastic feeling, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything!

As you can now see, barking is a natural and instinctual behavior in dogs.

While you may not like it, there is no need to yell, hit, or punish your pet for doing so.

There are many different ways that you can control, reduce, and stop the dog from being noisy.

Be sure to practice patience and treat the friend with love, affection, and understanding to get the best results.

I hope these tips are helpful to you.

Have a great day!

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Last update on 2025-01-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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My name is Alen Stefanovic, and I am the founder of the AwesomeSarplaninac.com. As an economist-trade manager, and web designer, I have a passion for the Sarplaninac breed (number 1 dogs for me). My father has been breeding these dogs since 1990, and through the website, I aim to share valuable information about nutrition, care, and training for both puppies and adult dogs. Whether you're a new or experienced owner, you'll find plenty of helpful tips and resources on the site. I wish you a pleasant stay.

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