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How to Stop a Dog from Barking?

Barking is your dog’s way of communicating. We often observe dogs barking at people and things to grab attention. It is a normal dog behaviour that is often a reflex for expressing emotions related to anxiety, aggression, or boredom. Different types of barks emote different moods and feelings of the dog. Dogs also bark to stop others from entering their territory.

Even though dogs bark to communicate their emotions, excessive barking can cause disturbance to pet parents. In such situations, pet caregivers often look for ways to teach barking on command to their fur babies. If you too want to learn how to stop a dog from barking in the right manner, then read the following.

How to teach your dog to stop barking

Dogs often bark to claim territory, express emotions, and communicate with others. However, sometimes, dogs might not know how to control their barking habits. Teaching your pooch to stop barking unnecessarily makes them calmer by sharpening their natural instincts. While barking is a norm for dogs, barking on command is a skill that you easily teach your fur baby. Follow the below points to learn how to teach your dog to stop barking.

Teach commands: With patience, persistence, and practice, you teach your dog to control its barking habits. It is easy to stop your dog from barking with a little effort. Training dogs to follow commands related to barking is beneficial in managing this dog behaviour. You need to start by teaching your furry friend to follow commands by training them regularly. The following are a few things you can try to teach your dog to stop barking on command:
Try to calm the dog by using affirmative words. Using calming words and actions can help reduce anxiety and stress in dogs. Once they relax, you can pet them a little to stop them from barking completely.
You can also use commands for sitting to relax your fur baby. Most dogs bark when they get territorial or anxious. Using commands for sitting can work as a reassurance that can help them calm down. If the dog is barking out of fright or anxiety, you should try to use words of praise and encourage it to relax.
You can also use certain words like ‘stop, ‘relax’ and ‘calm down’ to signal the pooch to stop barking. However, to teach them to do so, you must use the commanding word every time they bark.
Offer treats: Another effective way to teach your dog to stop barking is by offering them their favourite treats. Most dogs have ADHD, which means it is very easy to distract them. If the dog is distressed and won’t stop barking, you should try to calm it down by offering its favourite treat. Simply try to grab their attention by showing them a treat. However, avoid offering the treat directly. Once you have the pooch’s attention, command them to stop barking and treat them only once they listen to you. Follow this method regularly to eventually teach your canine friend to stop barking simply on receiving a treat.
Distract with favourite toys: Dogs can also be distracted by their favourite toys. Simply show the pet its favourite toy the next time they start barking. You can also ask them to fetch a ball or start playing with them to distract them from barking.
Console and praise: Sometimes dogs bark to warn or grab your attention towards something that is genuinely bothering them. Hence, it is always better to first try to analyse why the pooch is barking before trying to stop them from barking. Pay attention towards the dog’s body language and mannerisms when it barks. If it is barking towards a direction, you can check in that direction to see if there is something that might be alarming. Paying attention towards your pet’s barks and trying to console it with words of praise will not only calm it but will also subside its anxiety and fright.

Though these tricks will train your canine companion to control its barking habits, you must know that barking is a reflex instinct for dogs. Hence, it is imperative to stay consistent and regular when training a dog. It often takes time for dogs to learn commands and control their instinct to bark. However, with regular practice and consistent effort, you can eventually stop your dog from barking at will.

Frequently asked questions

How to stop a dog from barking?

You can try various methods to stop a dog from barking. Some of these methods include the following:

Offer dog treats to distract it from barking
Use commanding words to train them to stop barking
Distract the dog with its favourite toy
Try to find out why the dog is barking and try to console it

Will a dog eventually stop barking?

Yes, dogs generally stop barking once they are exhausted or calmed down.

Should you ignore nuisance barking?

No, it is better to train the dog to not bark unnecessarily. You can easily do this by training your dog to stay calm.

What does it mean when a dog barks at you for no reason?

Dogs are territorial animals who bark at people and other dogs when they feel you are getting in their personal territory.

What triggers a dog to bark?

Dogs can bark for various reasons. Some of the reasons for dogs to bark include:

The feeling of invasion of personal space.
Feeling threatened
Feeling anxious
Feeling hungry

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Medium-Breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs
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Unlike larger-breed dogs that are considered mature at age 5, medium-breed dogs are usually called mature or senior at age 7. By this time, their nutritional requirements are changing. You can help keep your medium-breed dog active, happy and healthy with a specially formulated mature or senior diet that delivers highly digestible, enhanced nutrition.

The Signs of Aging in Medium-breed Dogs
Your dog might be aging in a number of ways. He may have a dull, dry coat and flaky skin, declining activity or weight gain, decreased immune system response, more frequent intestinal problems, joint stiffness and a loss of lean muscle mass. It’s true that a mature or senior dog generally needs fewer calories, but to address special mature or senior concerns, your dog still needs high-quality protein and carefully balanced nutrients.

What to Look for in a Mature or Senior Diet
What your medium-breed dog needs is a high-quality, balanced maintenance food formulated for his changing metabolism. Look for options with these age-essential dietary components:
Vitamin-rich fish oils for healthy skin, a shiny coat and overall health
Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene to help boost the immune system
High-quality animal-based protein sources to help maintain muscle mass
A special fiber source, such as beet pulp, to help maintain intestinal health and enhance your dog’s ability to absorb age-essential nutrients
A special carbohydrate blend of healthy grains for sustained energy
These ingredients are the keys to mature or senior nutrition whether you feed dry or wet dog food or give your dog treats.

Special Needs in Medium-breed Mature or Senior Dogs
Older, less active dogs are prone to weight gain. Controlling your dog’s weight can help minimize health complications such as diabetes or joint stress. Your dog can benefit from a weight-control diet with these key characteristics:
A reduced fat level that still offers essential nutrients for skin and coat health
L-carnitine, a key nutrient that helps burn fat and maintain muscle mass during weight loss
Special carbohydrate blends that help maintain energy while managing weight
Vitamin-rich fish oils for overall health
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