All dogs bark as that is part of they communicate. Depending on the breed of dog some may bark more than other's as that is what they were bred for. Excessive barking can sometimes be cause by an underlying problem and we will look at house to establish what the problem is and then the best way to resolve this.
Why do Dogs Bark ?
Dogs can bark for a number of reasons such as:
Excitement - When the owner is approaching or there is a knock on the door they can start barking to show their emotions.
Protecting Territory - When a person approaches your house the dogs territory and they feel they have to warn them off
Lack of Engagement/Exercise - If your dog is not engaged physically they will let off their excess energy by doing things like barking for no apparent reason.
Anxiety - Dogs suffering from separation anxiety will bark when left alone, They will also show other symptoms such as pacing and repeating the same behaviour over and over.
How to Stop a Dog From Barking
You won't completely end up with a non barking dog but you can eliminate the bad behaviour or significantly reduce it by following some simple steps.
First thing to remember is you need to be consistent with your training as it won't happen over night and you need to approach your dog in a calm and relaxed manner.
Next time your dog starts barking turn to them and say "Shhhhhhhh" or "Quite" in an assertive yet calm voice. When he calms down give him lots of attention and a treat, They will associate them not barking with a good thing. Over time they will understand what the word means and will obey instantly.
Remember to walk your dog on a regular basis and tire them out as the majority of the time excessive barking is down to lack of exercise.
If your dog is still barking constantly then it would be best to speak to the local VET to rule out any medical problems.
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