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How To Minimize Your Dog’s Barking

by Jacqueline on July 21, 2009

I have dogs that bark, bark, bark… and did I say they bark?

I have an American Eskimo and a Chihuahua and those two together is like having a never-ending siren on all day!

In order to keep them quiet at home, during walks, while they’re in the car and well… ANYTIME. I try to focus on avoiding any scenarios that I know is going to trigger them to bark.

These are the most common reasons why they bark and how I counteract the never-ending ring in my ear.

#1. Barking At Home

I always make sure the TV in the living room is on, the windows are closed and either the AC or fan is on. This creates a constant flow of normal noises that they get used to and makes them less sensitive to outside noises.

If one of them feels extra chatty then it’s naptime. They go in the room and take a nap in their cage with the lights off and the TV on with a low volume.

#2 Barking In the Car

When riding in the car my dogs can get a little anxious because of all the smells in the air and the visual stimulation of other cars, trees, people, dogs, etc. I allow them to poke their head out the window and have a little fun but if they get too crazy I roll up the windows and turn the radio up.

#3 Barking on Walks

When walking my dogs it’s almost guaranteed we’ll see other dogs.  I practice correcting them with a slight tug of the leash, a quick “shush” like Cesar Milan does and changing directions away from the dogs in sight. It diverts their attention back to the task at hand, “ Taking a Poop!”

Do you have any tips on how to minimize barking? If so, let us know below.

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