How Soon Will My Malamute Stop Barking

Expert’s answer:

Malamutes, like many other dog breeds, have their own unique personalities and behaviors. While it is difficult to predict exactly when a Malamute will stop barking, there are several factors that can influence their barking habits.

Factors that can influence a Malamute’s barking habits:

  1. Age and Training: Younger Malamutes may be more prone to excessive barking as they are still learning appropriate behavior. With consistent training and socialization, they can learn to control their barking habits over time.
  2. Breed Traits: Malamutes are known for their strong instincts and vocal nature. They were originally bred as working dogs and used to communicate with their human handlers. While it may be challenging to completely eliminate barking, proper training and management can help reduce excessive barking.
  3. Environmental Stimulation: Malamutes may bark in response to various stimuli in their environment, such as other animals, strangers, or loud noises. Providing them with mental and physical stimulation, such as regular exercise and interactive toys, can help alleviate boredom and reduce barking.
  4. Separation Anxiety: Some Malamutes may bark excessively when they experience separation anxiety. This can be addressed through gradual desensitization and counterconditioning techniques, as well as providing them with appropriate outlets for their energy and anxiety.
  5. Consistency and Positive Reinforcement: Consistent training and positive reinforcement techniques are key to modifying a Malamute’s barking behavior. Rewarding them for calm and quiet behavior, and redirecting their attention when they start barking, can help them learn alternative behaviors.

It’s important to note that every dog is unique, and the time it takes for a Malamute to stop barking will vary. Patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are essential in training your Malamute to have appropriate barking behavior. If you are experiencing difficulties in managing your Malamute’s barking, it may be helpful to consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for personalized guidance and support.

How soon will my malamute stop barking reddit
How soon will my malamute stop barking reddit – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Can Malamutes be as excitable as Huskies?

Despite their different appearances, both working breeds are extremely energetic, though huskies have a little more endurance. In addition, they typically live longer than malamutes, but malamutes tend to be slightly more people-oriented.

Naturally, both Arctic breeds engage in mischievous behavior and have some common ancestors, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. So let’s chat with three experts now.

Visually distinguishing between breeds can be difficult at times, but recognizing the husky vs. Depending on where you look, identifying malamute differences is easier. Prior to addressing the ears, forehead, and tail, consider the size of the entire animal. You ought to be able to get a good idea from that.

Do Malamutes cling to people easily?

Be aware that they can frequently be sensitive and needy if you’re thinking about adopting one. Many knowledgeable, seasoned pet owners who are familiar with the breed advise first-time pet owners to look into alternatives.

How soon will my malamute stop barking at night
How soon will my malamute stop barking at night – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How frequently should a Malamute be walked?

Malamutes require a minimum of two hours of vigorous exercise each day. They can use this time to exercise by running and walking to let off steam. They will also require more playtime, free time in the garden, and training in order to keep their minds engaged. They make excellent walking companions in the winter, but keep in mind that because of their thick coats, they are more susceptible to overheating in extremely hot weather.

Malamutes have a unique “double coat” that keeps them warm in arctic conditions. Be ready because malamutes shed a lot and aren’t the best pets for people who are neat-freaks or have allergies to fur. They will require daily brushing to stay comfortable because of their thick coats, or even twice a day in the spring and fall when they shed the most.

To keep your Malamute’s coat in the best possible condition, you might want to get them professionally groomed about once every six months.

How do you settle a Malamute down?

Depending on why your Malamute is agitated in the first place, you can determine the best way to calm them down. Toys or chews that divert their attention and expend energy are beneficial for active Malamutes. A weighted blanket, for example, can be used to help calm anxious Malamutes and make them feel safe.

Is training a malamute challenging?

Despite the fact that malamutes are among the most unyielding breeds, they are also among the most intelligent, so if you don’t keep the training interesting, you’ll end up getting frustrated just as much as the malamutes do.

Do malamutes favor a single person?
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Do malamutes favor a single person?

The temperament of the breed is sunny. Malamutes are highly cooperative but never slavish or fawning, and they are happiest when treated as intelligent partners. The Alaskan Malamute lives and works alongside you, not for you. The typical Malamute is outrageously and almost universally friendly to people, though they can be occasionally aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex. Malamutes do not guard property as they are the peaceful, nomadic peoples’ dogs and almost always greet guests with a wagging tail and a kiss on the face. These dogs don’t become one-person dogs; instead, they form strong, complicated attachments to their owners. Bonding with their adoptive owners is easy for adult Malamute rescues.

The adaptable Malamute is content to pull a sled, but is also content to travel alongside hikers or backpackers. The Malamute is the perfect running companion in chilly weather. Malamutes are large, strong, and remarkably agile, and they occasionally enjoy bringing tennis balls and Frisbees back. Some Malamutes enjoy swimming, while others have a strong aversion to it. The breed is not prone to motion sickness, and most people enjoy car rides. The majority of Malamutes enjoy human company the most, though they are content to watch television with their owners. Malamutes are excellent company and are perceptive of their surroundings.

The Alaskan Malamute is renowned for its crowd-pleasing antics rather than its competitive Obedience prowess. However, Malamutes consistently earn titles from the Canadian Kennel Club for Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent, Utility Dog, and Tracking, and the breed is incredibly enjoyable to work with even if it isn’t always a pleasure to exhibit in the Obedience ring. The Malamute, on the other hand, can be trained to be a friendly
pet with ease.

The Malamute, an Arctic breed of dog, can live outdoors in a sturdy pen with a high, sturdy fence, but they also make wonderful, nearly odorless house dogs. A Malamute must never be allowed to run free or be tied out, chained, or transported in a cart. The indoor dog needs daily leash or enclosed field exercise. Malamutes can be put off lead if they receive the right training from the start. The daily need for affection and company is just as great for outdoor dogs.

How can I get my Malamute to stop pulling?
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How can I get my Malamute to stop pulling?

Your Alaskan Malamute will respond well to training with a no-pull harness. A no-pull harness, as opposed to a traditional collar or harness, is made to prevent your dog from pulling by gently pressing on their chest. The tightening of the harness when your dog starts to pull will make them feel a little uncomfortable, which will deter them from pulling. It can be safe and efficient to train your Alaskan Malamute to stroll calmly on a leash using a no-pull harness.

With nearly 150,000 reviews, the no-pull harness from the Rabbitgoo brand is fantastic.

When teaching your Alaskan Malamute to walk off-leash, consistency is crucial. Every time you take your dog for a walk, you must employ the same strategies. For instance, if your dog starts to pull, stop moving and give them a moment to settle down before moving on. Your dog will eventually realize that pulling won’t get them where they want to go if you are persistent and patient with them.

One of the best training methods for reducing leash pulling is positive reinforcement. Treats, compliments, and affection should be given to your Alaskan Malamute whenever it walks calmly by your side. Your dog will be more likely to repeat a desirable behavior in the future as a result of learning that it will result in positive rewards. Avoid punishing your dog for pulling because doing so will only make the issue worse by making them more anxious and frustrated.

How can I quiet my Alaskan Malamute?

Your Malamute’s level of restlessness will determine the best method for calming them down. Toys or chews that divert their attention and expend energy will be beneficial for active Malamutes. A weighted blanket, for example, can help anxious Malamutes feel safe by reducing their anxiety.

How anxious are malamutes?
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How anxious are malamutes?

Although malamutes are devoted and affectionate and adore cuddling, there are times when they can also be independent and want to go off on their own. However, they prefer company most of the time and can experience separation anxiety if left unattended.

Although they tend to be a generally healthy breed, malamutes are more susceptible than some other breeds to developing specific conditions. These may consist of.

To avoid being surprised with unanticipated vet costs, always make sure your dog is insured.

Malamutes are beautiful, large dogs, but you should be prepared for the amount of hair they shed, and you should train them to walk to heel because they were created to pull sleds and will easily pull you along.

Is the Malamute more tranquil than the husky?
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Is the Malamute more tranquil than the husky?

The majority of the time, Alaskan Malamutes are calmer and less active than Huskies. Malamutes, unlike Huskies, are independent and enjoy their occasional alone time.

Huskies and Malamutes are both very sociable dogs. Nevertheless, Huskies are viewed as friendlier because, in contrast to Malamutes, they dislike being left alone.

Additionally, Malamutes occasionally have a tendency to be more hostile toward other dogs, whereas Huskies are tolerant of them.

A Malamute’s intelligence level.

In addition to having a high level of intelligence, malamutes are also independent and willful, frequently to the point of stubbornness. While fairness and patience can produce a loyal, trustworthy companion, some behaviors, like digging, may be impossible to train out of a Mal, so any yard fencing needs to extend into the ground.

Are malamutes energetic canines?
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Are malamutes energetic canines?

The majority of malamutes have a little too much energy for apartment living, especially if they spend little time outdoors as a result. According to Becker, they require regular, intense exercise that goes beyond simple yard work.

A 30-minute game of frisky fetch may need to be played a few times per day because an Alaskan malamute’s temperament calls for diligent engagement. Dog parks are another excellent choice for socializing with dogs their size and bigger.

Even though they are pack animals by nature, they must socialize with other members of the family while still young. Otherwise, they might be tempted to chase smaller dogs, cats, and dogs of the same sex. Your Alaskan malamute puppy will develop into a well-rounded, polite puppy with the aid of socialization!

Video:


How To Stop Your MALAMUTE Barking

How To Stop Your MALAMUTE Barking. If your dog is barking all the time and you are unsure of what to do you can learn how to …



Quick and long lasting solutions to barking

Watch my unique method for barking at things outside the house or property.


How Soon Will My Malamute Stop Barking
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Chelsea Vaughn

Chelsea is a former marine biologist who switched gears in her twenties to build a small house and start a business. She enjoys traveling and going on hiking adventures with her husband, their two Australian Shepherds and their African Grey Parrot.

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51 comments

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  • April 6th: Thank you!! My puppy is (I think) going through a fear stage; she’s like a different pup. She barks aggressively at stuff she never even noticed before. Have been doing this method for 2 days and she’s much better. She also seems less fearful overall. Have yet to phase out “I see it” and treats but I think that will come. April 8th: better and better. Rarely have to give treats anymore and it’s improved her “come”. She often looks at me and comes without my asking. She is a SUPER alert, focused, and energetic puppy. It took a lot of work to get here, with more work still needed. Well worth it though.

  • This is nutz Joel! I have been doing this with my shepherd, catching her before she escalates and having her come immediately to me~and sometimes I treat her or sometimes we go into a mini mini training mode, sit, stay, down, good girl! When someone is at the door I can get her to run immediately to me (joyfully!) or sometimes she will bark at something in the front yard and I look at her and say “There’s nobody out there!” and she is satisfied with that. Thank you!

  • Hi Joel, great stuff. My parents are dealing with an old dog who is developing diabetes and blindness. He sometimes snaps when getting insulin or when he gets touched (probably surprising him). He also wants to get up frequently in the night. Do you have any advice on how to give a dog an injection, how to deal with blind dogs, how to deal with dogs waking too early, or advice on old and sick dogs in general?

  • This method seemed to work for me indoors but at times when I have to leave my doberman in the backyard and i’m inside she barks at anything and everything(mostly noises behind our wall coming from the front yard). This is an issue because I work from my home office on the second floor of my house so I find myself having to fly down the stairs every 30 minutes to run outside and get her to stop. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated and thank you for all the wisdom you provide on your platform! Edit: also worth noting that she does stop alerting as soon as i go out and acknowledge. The issue is she alerts at EVERYTHING and this especially becomes an issue at night as I am surrounded by neighbors and i’m sure they’re fed up lol.

  • Thank you so much for your articles! I have been binge perusal them all week. I love dogs, I’ve always wanted one of my own. I have my favorite names picked out, I’ve been researching all my favorite breeds. There’s just one thing that stops me from getting my pup: I hate the idea of leaving my dog at home while I’m at work. I was thinking doggy daycare, do you like them? Are they worth it? Or would agility, frisbee, and a couple long hikes spread out through the week be enough for them to have a happy life, even with me working 8 hours a day? Thanks for reading, Charlie Also do you have a book I can buy on dog training?

  • My adolescent dog started doing this. We’ve tried this method as well as the engage-disengage game. With this method, she’d come with me but the moment she takes the treat, she might run back there to bark. Or sometimes she’s so worked up barking that she keeps barking even when we move away from the stimulus. Same issue with ppl knocking on the door (so we are desensitising by knocking on everything and treating calmness), but she might bark the moment she hears a knock from wherever she is and just loses it for a bit.

  • I’ve been trying something similar, my puppy is super barky and huffy at EVERYONE and everything. Way over the top and this is an interesting strategy. One thing I notice immediately is that my puppy might come away but still be focusing and barking or huffing and sneezing even with the “thing” out of sight. Would we still treat a short distance away or is there a better way to respond if the worked up behavior persists? The only other option I can think of is to keep adding distance until the dog chills, and then proceed to step #2 and treat

  • Great article! Our puppy is an aussie poodle mix, and she really only barks in two instances 1. when she’s playing/wants to play chase with someone as herding breeds love to do. 2. Occasionally when she sees some people she’s met before (we’re confused about this one because it’s usually neighbours that she’s happily met and said hello with gently before) We’ve gotten her to stop nipping the ankles when play-chasing and she will instead boop with her nose, but the barking still occurs sometimes. Any tips on helping with either of these instances?

  • It’s my next door neighbors dog that CONSTANTLY barks, even in the middle of the night, super frustrating. I always get up to look and acknowledge what my dog is alerting me too. It’s nice to know you do this too! I use affection but I love this idea! Wish I could do this at the neighbors 😂 I’m fortunate that my dog hardly ever barks, if he does, you can be certain, it’s for a good reason.

  • Hello Beckman! I’ve been perusal your articles for quite some time now. I have a question for this particular training/drill. I have a Chodsky Pés (1 year and 2 months old), who barks alot when she hears people in my stairway (I live in a multiapartment building). She’s at the point where she turns around and comes straight to me, when I tell her “I got this”. So the good stuff is that I can stop her almost immediately. The problem is, that when she hears someone, she goes from 0-100 real quick. I mean, from laying sleeping on the couch to flyving over the table running to the door with really loud, almost panic-like barks. I dont mind her telling me there’s new people in the stairway, but I do mind that she goes from 0-100. When I’ve had guest’s over (like my grandma), she’s giving then such a shock, when she hears someone. Do you have a method to.. calm the 0-100 down abit? Thank you, for all of your amazing articles, I’ve learned so much from them over time, as a first-time dog owner. Love and greetings from Denmark!

  • Timing is everything! It is best to set it up and preemptively stop the bark before it begins, you can see it building at the alert ears or shifting body positions, these and many more cues are given before a behavior begins and that is when and where the stop needs to occur. Waiting means you have to fight the existing learned behavior or you can stop it before it starts.

  • Oh man, thank you, this is something I really gonna use. I mentioned in another comment that my dog flips out when the doorbell is ringing or when something’s happening outside the house. He’s not flipping out on people, we trained him to be OK with visitors, somtimes our friends who are also our neighbours just walk in when they come over for a drink or dinner, he will go over and greet them because he knows them and so do they but nothing crazy. However, when someone rings the doorbell or the delivery guy drops a parcel at our door he freaks out. It’s a different thing if someones ringing the bell and you go and open it, in that case you can just get him on leash and make hin stay or whatever but there’s a lot of situations where something just happens outside and I have to do something.

  • I am a dog Trainer and i like to watch dog trainer’s articles. It helps me with my tools and other ideas to train dogs. I have tried it and it works. I have to say one have to be consistent, and soft on the voice to acknowledge the situation the dog is baking at. It will slow down their barking but it will never stop completely. Besides one does not want that. Owners want the dog to let you know when it is a stranger out there. Thank you.

  • I’m going to try this, there’s a dog door that leds out to the balcony that overlooks the main road, so there’s a tonne of people just walking by, cycling, walking dogs etc. I used to just call their names ( 2 Maltese doggies) and then bring them inside (picking them up). Usually they would ignore the recall or just continue barking like crazy at the people. I will use this method and hopefully I can fix this. Wish me luck 🤞

  • here a comment from Germany: it works! Figured out the same method and I´m very happy to see such a professional and awesome, competent trainer uses it. Can learn from this to improve my doing! Love your website by the way. Helps me lot with my leash reactive Australian Shepard. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge with us. I´cant come to San Diego to learn from you 😉

  • I just came back to the article to see If I did something wrong because the progress stagnates for weeks now and behold I did something wrong. I started with just the acknowledging cue and treats, but without going to the dog first. So I already started a fadeout-step no 1. But still, all our dogs now have a solid cue which will get them out of the bark after 1-6 times barking, where before it was a mess. But its stuck there, which is why I came back. So now I will do it right and im very optimistic. Btw, the main dog which is trained is only 6 month old, so he still has time to adapt anyway. Both adult ones are way better then him as expected. Most of the time they are already standing there expecting treats why the jungest still barks which is awesome.

  • My family and I did this and it has all but eliminated the problem. Though, we didn’t use treats. Honestly, just calmly saying thank you confused them enough to stop and look at us since before that it turned into a yelling match between us and the dogs. So we say thank you and we give them a “good dog” once they’re quiet and have stepped away from the door. It seems to make them happy, like they’ve done a good job. Now there are times when a delivery man or the mailman can come up to our door and leave and they don’t even notice. Or a car door slams and they just look up, maybe bark once, but don’t get stupidly excited.

  • I’ve been doing something very similar for my dog. He still barks at the door in a protective way, but once I tell him – hey, quiet. He stops comes to me and I reward. And he doesn’t go back to the door unless there are some really loud neighbors in our apartment building right at our door. But at first I redirected him to his bed and only when he is calm I gave him a treat and praised him. Now I don’t always treat him and he still doesn’t return. So I guess it works. He is a protective dog, it’s part of his breed, but with this at least I can stop the barking after a few barks. I’m fine with him protecting the house, but I wish he wouldn’t bark from the inside of the car at ppl or dogs he sees. I think he thinks the car is his teritory too. Haven’t figured how to stop that, since it’s hard to correct a dog in the car.

  • Your methods are always helpful. Do you have any idea to stop the dog from eating poop?🤣 My 5 months old puppy likes to eat poop. She knows leave it, so she won’t eat when we’re perusal her. But when she’s alone in the backyard or she notices no one is perusal her, she will definitely go for it. HELP!!

  • I have a 1 yr old heeler that barks at me in the living room. I’ve tried everything from ignoring, water bottle, beep collar. Beep collar works but I don’t like having to depend upon a device and I feel it creates a disconnect. After perusal this article I tried “I see you” as a response to his barking and it worked. Will try again later in the day to see if it just wasn’t a fluke-we did just hike 6 miles. I had two dogs years ago in a busy neighborhood. We did similar method-I didn’t do the critical part of “I see it”, so we had dogs that loved to bark in the yard to get treats. Or so it seemed. It was an endless cycle of go crazy in yard, come into the house for a treat… They had us well trained.

  • This makes me feel better that I’m not checking the door for no reason now. I halfway thought I was renforcing the barking maybe by checking and telling them nothing there, I just need to bring in the treat. Now I have to work with the kennel barker, tho it’s mostly when he is excited because he knows it’s time to come out of the kennel.

  • Yes, I use this with my dog. I say “OHHH, yeaaa, I see that!” “Yup” “okay” a gentle pat/rub on her side or on her chest below her neck. I ALWAYS say “Thank You” and she goes quiet.. well it’s now she just lets out a “woof woof” and I check the window or door, “Yup, thank you”.. It stops immediately. So easy. But I take her seriously, I WANT her to guard, She’s a Bouvier- it’s HER Job. You can’t be a lazy bone and sit and yell their name and “shuddup!”, They think you are a lazy bone big mouth barker who wont Check it out.. Even if you know it’s only the neighbor’s car door and he’s home from work. Get up and look in that direction and aknowledge your dog.

  • I’ve been using this method for my 10 month Giant Schnauzer puppy since he was about 8 months and it worked! Instead of “I see it,” I say “thank you,” and I’d redirect him and then reward him. Now he may do a small bark and then look at me to make sure that I am aware and it only took about 2 weeks to phase out of the treats!

  • This technique works. I’ve done the same by trial and error. Only difference, my voice goes very low, almost a whisper. Thus, the dog is responding by redirecting, listening, then treat until the treat phase is traded out, often using simple touch affection as reward. The next step dog learns this means, come here, away from window ….

  • Question about this. How do you do this with multiple dogs? My GSD will bark at something she sees and our mutt will start barking from across the room. It ends up being a loop of trying to quiet them down. Just as we get one quiet, the other barks (delayed reaction from not seeing the stimulus) and sets the first off again.

  • I say “Thank you. Quiet.” And this works with alert barking i.e. knocking, doorbell. But my malinios is territorial and won’t let up if someone comes to visit. I typically end up putting her up when someone needs to come into the house. She is fine outside and on walks and usually sociable with all kinds of people. She just doesn’t want anyone in our house.

  • This is awesome. I have tried this with going to the door, and “saying, ok…thank you” and then calling her away and treating her. Can we do this when someone rings the bell and the dog goes out of their mind? I live in an apartment building and I have tried this method for the doorbell scenario and it doesn’t work. She just goes nuts, really hard to call her away from the door and she will sit there waiting for the “intruder”. Can you recommend what to do with the doorbell causing incessant alert barking?

  • Hey Joel,my 1year old gsd was playing fine with a bulldog for around 20 minutes,the bulldog got tired and lay down,my dog didn’t get the message although the bulldog said 2 times he was done playin.My dog was then disciplined or “told off” by the other one. Absolutely no aggression or actual fighting but he did get a fright.He cowered away from the bulldog even though the bulldog was trying to engage play. can you please make a article on older dogs disciplining younger dogs,like what to look for and what is okay,how it would effect the dog thanks.

  • i did this years ago with my golden…my husband traveled alot, i didn’t want to stop intruder alert, soi taught him to bark ob command, then quiet on command, and added its ok, i see it, now quiet, treat reward. one time a landscape guy came through the gate, my dog went ballistic barking, i walked out to see the guy frozen in place…i said it’s ok, quiet, my dog changed to calm like turning off the switch, tail wagging he went up for a pet…. this completely works, but you have to do the work training all the steps…then you’re really having a conversation with your dog.

  • doggo went to the window, I did the “I see it, I see it” acknowledgement, redirected to kitchen for a little treat. It worked perfectly the first 2 times. Then he started going to the window, barking, I did the “I see it, I see it” acknowledgement, doggo ran to the kitchen for a treat. Then he would bark at the window (note: I could see nothing) and run to the kitchen for a treat. It became a game of bark and run to the kitchen. I never skipped the “I see it, I see it” acknowledgement part so he had to wait in the kitchen. What nuance did I miss?

  • I do it a little different and I have 100% success. I get between what the dog is barking at and the dog and tell them that it is mine, I walk into the dog backing them away thus creating distance between what they are barking at until they go into a sit and then I praise. After awhile all I have to do is say it is mine and they take my word for it and stop barking. I know that dogs aren’t suppose to be able to generalize but the “its mine” seems to work in a lot of scenarios other then a passer by or critter running through the yard. For what it is worth.

  • Ohh I got Maltes soon 10 month old for my second week. He is with the family when the kids are there there every second week. He is not raised well and I work with him in your kind of spirit as I have the same way of thinking when it comes to dogs. As you can imagine I’m so happy to find you as you give me tools and confidence I’m on the right track. He barks so now I will try your way. I let you know. Thank you.

  • Trying it. My trainer adds to get them to touch nose to hand as part of that similar method but she doesn’t talk about what the dog sees. I do talk. Sometimes I aay “ there nothing there molly . Come let’s go” then get her to follow me to the kitchen for the treat. Beckman what’s your method for dealing with adolescent fear stage when new people cone on the house and they pounce forward and back snd bark but (wanting but afraid to greet new person coming in the house ir on a walk?

  • I had to put frosted film over the bottom half of our windows to block out our miniature dachshund’s view because the barking was so frequent and piercing, to the point that I think it has damaged my ears. Is this a bad idea, i.e. suppressing the issue rather than addressing it? He does still bark a lot, especially when the windows are open, basically at any sound he hears outside, so I will keep trying the method with this, but sometimes he gets so worked up that he doesn’t even seem to realize you are acknowledging it.

  • I appreciate very much that you emphasise the reward part, but, in this case, don’t you train the dog to do the ‘trick’ : ‘barking –> getting attention -> getting a reward’ ? I have 5 large guarding dogs who sometimes take the guarding part too seriously, and I do something similar yet (crucially?) different : they know they cannot bark at just anything that passes by (point 1 : teach your dog what you don’t want) and when they see eg. a walker in the street approaching our guarden I then reassure them before they start barking, and then take them all to and get their treat when the walker has passed by and they did remain quiet. (I don’t describe this to say it is a better method but to explain where my question comes from).

  • Hi Joel, my Beagle Will bark at “something” from his bed on the second floor, just because he has heard or smelled something he didn’t like or wants me to warn me about. In the beginning I used to go and check what it was he was warning us about and although I would acknowledge what it was to him, he’s barking won’t stop until it’s gone… How to handle in this case…?

  • Hi, your articles are really helpful. However, my pup (now 2.5 months old, social) barks at the slightest of the sounds at night. Like tree leaf falling, or if a bird chirps at night, or even when there is a slight “shhhh” noise due to wind, she starts barking. We are unable to have proper sleep. Kindly guide us how to train specially during night. She is also scared of shadows amd barks even seeing the tree shadow from window. Please note – durong the day she is fine and barks very less.

  • I fixed all my dogs barking in a way simpler manner. for outside I had my hose with a sprayer head situation hook on to my deck ledge for quick use. I turn the water on full force and had the sprayer head turned onto the thin bead setting…ie ONE single forceful stream of water. when my dog barked too much I yelled ah ah ah very sharply so she could hear it. if she failed to stop the nuisance barking i then hit her butt with a couple sharp sudden sprays; she soon learned that she was allowed a couple stray nonsensical barks but after that she was liable to get punished. For indoors I kept a spray bottle in every room loaded with cold water and set on a single forceful bead of water. same idea; im sitting on the couch, dog barks n wont stop I command ah ah ah in a sharp loud tone, if the dog ignores me, im still sitting down, grab the bottle and give it a couple strong water shots to the head ie ears etc…thats annoying doesnt hurt the dog so it soon learns that barking is a limited option. works great; I used it on my screeching parrots; works brilliantly, no harm done just make SURE you use the voice correction FIRST.

  • Can you address (or point me in the right direction if you already have) dogs with a strong chase drive? We recently adopted a border terrier, have a large unfenced yard surrounded by other unfenced yards, and any time he sees a bunny he wants to get at it no matter what. Any way to help settle that down a bit?

  • Not sure you have a article up. I just found your website. What’s your answer for getting a dog to let go of something or to spit out something it found on the ground? This is my 1st dog as an adult and she’s a 5month pit bull mix. She can learn commands but she definitely tries to be defiant. Also what about allowing a dog to roam the house? I want to trust her to walk around the house and not destroy anything or steal food.

  • Our back deck overlooks a reserve people walk along. We have 3 dogs. I will say “its ok they are allowed there” or similar then clap and give a treat. Now I will clap and they will mostly stop, tho we do have 1 Pomeranian who is a bit more yappy. But he will stop when I tell him “ok that’s enough” calmly. Problem is tho I live with my parents and my father is old school, he will shout at them to shut up, They see it as him joining in barking with them so keep going and makes him shout more. We have tried telling him to do it our way but he see’s the giving treats as rewarding them for barking so refuses. Lucky the dogs still listen to the rest of us and so we try and catch it before Dad starts.

  • It should work the same with 3 dogs? One will start barking and then the other 2 start barking too. Can I follow the same technique with the 3 at the same time? Also what can I do if they started barking to an stimulus and they end barking each other? One time finished with a fight between them and I don’t want to have that again.

  • I have a question. Say you execute all of those steps, but they get the treat and just run back to barking and doing what they are doing. Do you start over again? I redirect my dog away from the window when she goes crazy at barking at things outside. I redirect her to me, we go to the kitchen, I get a treat and then she just runs back and continues the behavior. So, what am I doing wrong?

  • I followed the instruction you gave when my dog was barking at the squirrel. Told her “I got this” and asked her to come, she would not come and continued barking, so I grabbed her collar and brought her inside the kitchen and gave her treats. She ate the treat and went back out again and continued barking.\r Not sure what I am doing wrong.

  • We definitely don’t want a constant barking dog. We still want them to bark at the right time. Like when an intruder is lurking. If your dog needs something, like to come inside, I accept just the one or two notification barks. Hey it’s me outside….. it’s dinner time. But all in all there’s nothing worse than a non stop barking dog. A lot of barking dogs, simply bark because the owners haven’t taught their pups from the get go, that it’s not ok.

  • This was awesome advice, thank you !! Would you have any advice (perhaps a article ?) on excessive whining ? My dog will whine every morning and every evening, for food AND for going out, and it starts as soon as I wake up. Whether I follow a strict routine or completely randomize the time, it’s the same. I try ignoring him but he can go on and on and on for hours, even if he goes back to his bed and lies down, he still wines. I love my dog but it’s really annoying 😅 thank you !

  • Excited to try this, first time to comment on a recent article. I normally see a year or 2 year old articles. Just while typing this my dog low growls at a neighbour coming in. Then again to people walking past. I saw another trainer make himself big and pretends to scan the surroundings. Is that necessary? You did not seem to make yourself “big”. I’ll try nonetheless. They seem similar and none of our techniques work, like scolding the dog and making her go to her bed work.

  • Do you have a recommendation for demand parking while I’m in the crate when they’re in the crate mostly anyway I know I am forced this but reinforced it by brushing to let them out if they were really frantic which they always are now even if they don’t want to even go out and it’s awful and it could be anytime the day or night for anything or nothing one heard the other one do it and now I’ve got three doing it I need help because I have five dogs and it’s spreading like wildfire but I thought they had to go potty my.. so I know it’s my bad but I can’t seem to do it I can’t ignore it drives me bananas I mean for a while I can but it doesn’t stop it’s incessant. Thank you

  • What to do with a huge dog (anatolian shephard) who does not want to come when i call him, nor can i drag him further away, to give him a treat..he is too heavy and too strong.. 🙁 He is obsessed with strangers passing by..when being inside the garden.. although, he is trained to walk outside..no problem..on the leash, he is a gentleman.. I tried the leash in the garden too..does not work either.. Thank you in advance.. Regards from greece 🙂

  • I have a six-month-old Schnauzer male pup fenced in backyard can’t see out this a block wall he barks like hell about trying everything I don’t know what to do maybe you could help me and tell me what to do again ps schoolyard behind kids running around making noise can’t see them then he’ll start barking call them in the house

  • Don’t get me wrong but this really seems like you are going to the dog, praising them verbally, then eventually presenting an external reward, ultimately all FOR barking? I’m trying to look at it all from the dog’s perspective here. Nothing is really telling it to NOT bark? Unless the initial “I see it” is more like interrupting of the barking…?