How do you stop a dog that barks constantly and is nearly driving you mad? There are a number of ways that you can stop the barking and all it will take is just a little of your time and some patience. Dogs bark for any number of reasons. They get excited or bored, they see other dogs or the door bell rings and they bark.

Firstly, when your dog barks do not yell at it and get all worked up. This only makes your dog bark more. Your high pitched excited voice and your body language just serve to make your dog more agitated and therefore bark more. Instead, talk to your dog slowly in a low tone and calm voice. When your dog barks, turn your back on him and pay him no attention. When he stops barking, give him a reward and in a calm voice praise him. You must be consistent. A good reward to use is very small pieces of cooked chicken.

If your dog is barking when meeting other dogs when out walking try this simple solution. As you approach another dog and as soon as your dog starts to bark, sharply turn and walk your dog in the other direction. You must be consistent and do this every time your dog starts barking. Your dog will very quickly learn that barking means that he does not go forward. Be consistent with this behavior and before long your dog will be able to meet and greet other dogs without all the excited barking.

To stop your dog rushing and barking at the door every time someone knocks or rings the door bell you can teach them the stop and back commands. Call your dog to you and when your dog gets within six feet of you say stop and put your hand up in the stop motion. When your dog has stopped, wait for 20 seconds then walk to your dog and praise him and give him a treat. Once he has mastered stopping on command move on to the next phase.

Call your dog and tell him to stop, then, as you walk towards him say the word back repeatedly and walk into him so that he has to move back. Repeat this lesson until your dog has learnt the back command. Now when someone comes to the door and your dog rushes forward barking, you can use the commands stop and back and your dog should move back away from the door.

The next important thing to do is spend time with your dog providing him with exercise and stimulation. A good long walk with lots of new sounds, sights and smells and meeting new people and other dogs is a good start.

You should also spend time doing training starting with all the basics like sit, drop and stay. You can then do more fun training like roll over and jumping. This provides the dog with entertainment and stimulation. By the end of the day your dog should be happy to curl up in his bed and have a good nights sleep.

Joanne Bailey has written The Basic Training Guide For Your Best Friend and you can get your free copy at http://www.instantbooks.com.au/trainingdog.html

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