A dog’s bark is a warning sign that should be heeded by the animal’s owners. It can signify the dog’s longing to play with the owner, displeasure (or hunger), or the presence of an intruder. Useful as a dog’s bark is, it gets rather annoying when it goes on for some time, especially during the wee hours of night. Instead of getting insomnia from the noise, better pull the plug on excessive barking and fast.

Every Bark has a Reason

When stopping a dog’s barking episode, you must learn to identify its needs. Remember, a dog does not bark without reason. It always points to something, which is equivalent to human speech. As the owner, it’s your responsibility to do the necessary actions for your dog to stop barking. You’ll eventually read its body language anyway. If the barking comes next door, call your neighbor and politely ask him or her to quiet the dog. Don’t be disrespectful towards the dog, since he or she is often treated as family.

Noise Begets Noise

Dogs, when excited, forget all about discipline and dog training. The dog can bark non-stop until he or she eventually tires out. If you can’t afford to wait for your dog to calm down, might as well give it a dose of its own medicine. Grab a used can of soda and insert several coins. Shake the can to check its noise level. When your dog begins a lengthy barking episode, throw the can with force. The clanking noise will shock your dog, in effect, silencing the poor critter. Give the mutt a good meal after, so he or she won’t feel bad.

Relieve Doggy Stress with a Chew Toy

Barking, in most cases, is a sign of stress. Dealing with stress involves release, which works well for both dogs and humans. For dogs, the chew toy comes as a form of releasing excessive tension. Throw it in front of a barking pooch. The dog, in turn, bites at the toy bone until much of the stress has been released. Moments later, your pet will be back to his or her old obedient self.

Give a Stern Order to Stop

If dogs love to bark out loud, effective owners can be far worse, when needed. The dog, not having the ability of speech, is a master of recognizing vocal tones and reading body language. Think of a good command for making the dog pipe down, such as “Quiet,” “Stop,” “Hey,” or “Quit Barking!” When your pet starts barking, shout the command accompanied by a displeased gesture. If the dog does not stop, be patient and continue issuing the order. He or she will eventually get your drift. As much as possible, try to stay constant with your order, so your dog can pick it up quickly.

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