We all know that dogs bark, and expecting your pet to never raise their voice would be incredibly unreasonable. Dogs use barking as one form of verbal communication, and might bark for a number of reasons. The noise can proclaim their territory, raise and alarm, or signal unhappiness. Barking is also a really effective way for your dog to get attention when they need something, such as to go outside and relieve themselves.
Clearly, then, barking can be an effective form of communication between owners and their furry friends, however, excessive barking is one of the most common behavioural problems among dogs. In fact, one survey showed that one third of dog owners found their pets barked excessively. Excessive barking is typically defined as barking which is persistent and very frequent. This type of behavior can be very stressful for owners, and might even begin to affect near-by neighbors. In some cases, neighbors might even make a formal complaint about a dog which barks excessively, so it’s very important to nip this behavior in the bud before it starts to cause problems for others.
So how can we tackle excessive barking? Unlikely as it sounds, your smartphone or tablet could actually be a huge help! We’ve searched the internet for the best apps to stop dogs barking. These apps can be great tools for kindly and effectively teaching your dog good behavior, and curbing barking when it gets out of hand. Since all dogs are unique, we’ve also outlined some other training ideas to help stop dog barking, and keep your pets relaxed and calm.
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Best Apps To Stop Dogs Barking Guide & FAQ
And there you have it – five useful tools to curb excessive barkers! But do they really work? And what else can you do to help your dog overcome their barking problem? We answer these questions below.
Do These Apps Really Work?
Every dog is different, but the vast majority will respond well to these apps. Dogs’ hearing is differently tuned to our own, making them particularly sensitive to higher frequencies. This is why they find whistles in this frequency range particularly distracting, and tend to cease barking when they hear them.
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Training apps work well too, assuming you’re consistent and follow the advice given carefully. Finally, the monitoring app will work best for dogs who are already used to responding to commands, since you’ll be able to tell them to stop barking from afar.
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Other Tips To Help Stop Your Dog Barking
Taking advantage of modern technology to help your dog’s barking problem can work brilliantly, but for best results, you can combine this method with other training methods. Below we outline how to stop a dog from barking excessively.
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- Bark and Shock Collars
These collars work by delivering a very small electric shock, vibration or startling sound, whenever your dog barks. Since it’s natural for dogs to bark sometimes, these collars shouldn’t be used constantly. Try putting one on your dog prior to situations in which you know they’ll bark excessively. Our guide to the best dog bark collars and best dog shock collars will provide you with further information on products available.
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- Treats and Training
When it comes to training your dog, rewards are just as important as deterrents! Find something which triggers your dog’s barking – such as your keys, or their lead or bowl – and wait for them to begin barking. When they stop barking, say a command word, such as ‘quiet’ or ‘settle’, before giving them the treat. Repeating this will help cement a connection in their mind between being quiet and getting a treat.
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- Keep them Calm
Many dogs bark excessively when they are anxious or stressed. Taking steps to make their home as stress-free as possible can go a long way towards resolving the issue.
To help make your home calmer, work out what tends to trigger barking in your dog and take steps to minimise your dog’s contact with them. For instance, if your dog tends to bark at visitors, make sure they have a safe, quiet space to rest in as far away from the door as possible.
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Sources:
- Why Dogs Bark and Curbing Excessive Barking, Web MD
- Teresa Manucy, DVM, How to stop a Dog from Barking, Pet MD