Do you love your Morkie to bits – until he’s barking like a maniac? What if you knew how to stop dog barking? Once you know WHY he’s barking, you’ll see HOW to stop it.

Dogs bark. It’s what they do. But excessive barking can be a real problem. It can cause problems with the neighbours, not to mention get on YOUR nerves. Crazy barking all the time isn’t OK – it means your dog is stressed out, and so are you. Here are some solutions to stop dog barking when it’s over the top.

“Dog barking turns into a problem when the barking becomes loud, unwanted, inappropriate or excessive.”

4 main reasons why dogs bark too much

When you figure out WHY your Morkie is barking too much, you can figure out HOW to resolve it. The main reasons dogs bark too much are:

1. Territorial barking – distract your Morkie to stop this
2. Nervousness – address whatever’s making your Morkie anxious. Could it be Separation Anxiety?
3. Fearful response – work to build your Morkie’s trust. If he’s nervous of something else, remove him from the situation.
4. The dog is bored – exercise, exercise, exercise. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog.

Dog barking is a problem when the barking becomes loud, unwanted, inappropriate or excessive.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Try a time out

When your Morkie is really wound up and barking incessantly, speak in a calm, quiet and controlled way, telling him to sit and stop. 

Put your hand gently but firmly on his back.  Get his attention in a calm and quiet way and assure him he’s a good dog. 

Still not working?

It’s time for the old favourite we use on the kids: a time out. 

Firmly lift your Morkie and place him in another room, away from your attention.

Again, don’t give eye contact and now, stop talking to him.

Breeds that bark the least

Basenji and Shiba Inu dogs don’t really bark; instead they are yodelling and other unusual sounds, not common to most dog breeds. More quiet breeds –

Whippet
Italian Greyhound
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Golden Retriever
Borzoi
Saluki

These huge dogs could bark, but seem to rely on their size instead, to get their message across:

Mastiff
Bernese Mountain Dog
Great Pyrenees
Saint Bernard
Great Dane
Newfoundland
Bull Mastiff

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

In 101 Dalmatians, the dogs explain the Twilight Bark

The Twilight Bark

Many people must have noticed how dogs like to bark in the early evening. Indeed, twilight has sometimes been called “Dogs’ Barking Time.” Busy town dogs bark less than country dogs, but all dogs know all about the Twilight Barking. It is their way of keeping in touch with distant friends, passing on important news, enjoying a good gossip.

— Dodie Smith, The Hundred and One Dalmatians

How do you handle excess barking? Any tips?