Puppy Training Tips – Stop The Barking

Barking for a puppy is like yelling for a child; they do it naturally! The distinctive sound of a dog bark comes in many tones and pitches but generally serves the same purpose. To get your attention! Whether it be to greet you or another animal, to scare off an approaching threat, or out of excitement, your puppy’s bark is his form of communication. Even breeds such as Poodles, Cavalier King Charles, and Poochons, who are highly intelligent dogs, take time to learn good habits. Purchasing your puppy from a knowledgeable and caring pet adoption store and utilizing their puppy care specialists for great training tips and tricks is a wise decision to make. 

Although the bark of a dog is natural and normal, it can become a nuisance if not kept in check. Excessive barking training should begin when your puppy is young. Adult dogs tend to retain pesky habits they were not broken of as puppies. Here are a few tips and tricks to curb the habit of excessive barking. 

• Be consistent with training. When correcting your dog’s barking, use the same tone and training responses. Meaning, do not use a corrective tone towards your dog one day and a laughing, joyful tone the next. This can confuse your dog and cause him not to understand that excessive barking is a no-no.

• Make sure your puppy is not barking in excess because something is physically wrong with him. As noted above, the barking is to get your attention. If your pup is suffering from an ailment, you want him to alert you to the issue. 

• Train your puppy with positive reinforcement and upbeat techniques. Do remember your puppy is essentially a step above a baby and his barking is in his DNA. Never use physical means of discipline or react overly harsh to his barking. You can’t “yell” at your dog in an effort to get him from not “yelling.” Consistent and loving training will payoff in the long run. 

• Avoid putting your fur-legged friend in situations that may trigger a barking response. Puppies handle situations differently than mature dogs and allowing your puppy to feel safe will prevent a triggered barking response. 

Regardless of which training techniques you use, being patient and willing to invest time in your puppy’s learning process is the most important. A well-trained puppy will provide you years of loving dedication, companionship, and loyalty.