How to train a puppy not to bark at strangers

Why do Dogs Bark?

If you want to learn how to train a puppy not to bark at strangers, you need to first know that barking is a way of expression; it is a Dog’s way of communicating things. While some puppies bark less, there are others who bark excessively. Depending on the situation, there can be number of reasons why puppies bark.

As a puppy owner, we should try and understand every reason why a puppy barks for better bonding with our beloved pet and to know how to train a puppy not to bark.

Let us now have a look at different reasons why puppies bark

1. To Raise Alarm

Whenever a puppy hears any noise or sees any object that is likely to cause danger, it barks. This kind of barking can happen anywhere whether at home or somewhere out

2. Protective or Territorial Barking

A protective or territorial barking can be observed when puppy finds itself in potential danger. As the name implies territorial barking is when a puppy’s area is intruded by any other animal or a person. Intrusion can make your puppy highly aggressive and thus make it bark very loudly.

3. To greet someone

Barking can also be a puppies’ way of greeting you. It makes small voices when greeting someone, for example, when you return from work, when he sees people he likes after long time, seeing other animals of his like, greeting other puppies, etc. puppies bark playfully also when they are particularly happy and in very positive mood.

4. To seek attention

A learned bark or an attention seeking bark is when your puppy wants to you to notice something, or wants his wish to be granted. Puppies, over time, have learned that barking brings attention; they bark and keep looking at your face to see what reaction you give and use your behavioral reaction the next time. It is therefore recommended never to yell at your puppy when he barks to prevent things from getting worse.

5. Barking due to boredom

Most of the puppies want enough physical activity to keep them engaged and make them happy. Sitting idle in the room whole day, makes them feel lonely and bored, as a result they make monotonous repeated barks that expresses their frustration and urgent need of some mental stimulus.

6. Compulsive barking

Some puppies also bark just out of compulsion, i.e. just for the sake of barking. They bark just to hear their own voice. This type of barking habit is called compulsive barking and you puppy needs to be trained to stop this at the earliest.

7. Excitement barking

Excitement barking can be observed when the your puppy is really excited, for example when you return home after long time or when there is another puppy that it likes is in close vicinity. As the name suggests, excitement bark is loud and frenzied sound bark and can be accompanied with other activities like whining, wagging tail, etc.

While dog barks makes alerts us about any upcoming danger, it mostly becomes very annoying when a puppy barks excessively without any reason. Excessive barking may irritate not just the neighbors or the people visiting your house but also you. It is therefore very important to learn how to train a puppy not to bark and make him less aggressive.

How to train a puppy not to bark at strangers?

Barking is a natural way puppies communicate; training them to control this habit is a little dicey and requires lot of patience. However, if they are trained using a proper technique from a very young age, this can be achieved.

Learning how to train a puppy not to bark at strangers is divided into 3 parts,

1. Understanding causes of barking
2. Limiting puppies exposure to the strangers
3. Training proper response etiquette

Understanding the causes of Barking

As listed above puppies bark for a number of reasons, first identify the correct reason of puppies bark. When the puppies bark at strangers it is categorized as territorial barking, protective barking or an alarm barking. Your puppy may see a stranger is a potential threat to its territory or as a danger to itself or as a danger/threat to its owner.

In any way, puppy finds barking as the first important thing to return the stranger. Don’t shout at your puppy for barking, nor give any punishment, as this can worsen things, instead make him understand calmly and train him on how to respond to the strangers without getting too aggressive.

Limiting puppies exposure to the strangers

When you are in the process of learning how to train a puppy not to bark at strangers, make sure that the puppy’s exposure to strangers is very limited. Place removable plastic film on the window panes, keep the gates shut, place a tall fence in your yard, in order to obscure the puppies view of strangers. Even if the puppy barks at sight of a stranger, ensure that you distract your puppy by playing with any other object.

Training proper response etiquette

Make them learn your quiet command; train them to stop barking after your ‘Quiet’ command. This technique can be practiced every time the puppy comes across a stranger. It requires patience, but is surely effective.

Distract the puppy when he is about to bark or is barking with some goodies like puppy food or treats. Don’t fail to praise and reward the puppy every time he does not bark at the strangers, this helps in making the puppy understand that it is good not to bark.

Learning how to train a puppy not to bark at strangers is an art which can be mastered with practice. Observe your dearest pet, give your love and affection and he sure will learn to obey you completely.