Hush that puppy!

Does your dog bark excessively?

When he wants to come in the house? At passing cars or garbage collectors? Do sirens set your pooch off? When you return home? When he is left alone/lonely during your work hours? When another dog barks? When your neighbors come and go or their kids are playing outside?

Dogs bark for many reasons:

When other dogs bark; When they are generally excited or frustrated; When a stranger intrudes on their territory.

Consider the times when your dog's barking is excessive:

If he barks when he's while you're away at work, considering leaving the radio on to make him feel less lonely. If he's an outside dog, try giving him more freedom of movement in a fenced yard or a larger dog run. If practical, consider providing your dog with a companion pet to play with. Be sure to provide a variety of toys for him to play with so he won't bark out of boredom.

The main reason dogs bark is because they want attention! Dogs are not wild animals and need human companionship to be truly happy. If your dog stays out all the time he's probably not very happy. Consider bringing him or her in the house more often.

Excessive barking can be extremely annoying to neighbors as well as to those who have to live with a noisy dog. A constant barker is more likely to be ignored if there is an intruder, since he seems to "cry wolf" all the time.

Water Training Method

If you bring your dog in the house and he still barks, try the WATER TRAINING METHOD, which works for almost all dogs.

The first training rule is to be consistent and persistent. You can't expect a dog to learn - if barking for the wrong reason is corrected one time and not the next. Second, be ready for an immediate response. Have ready a plant mister filled with water. Say "QUIET DOG" or ( whatever your dog's name is and give one or two squirts of water at the dog while it is barking. He will stop at once. If you wait until he stops barking it will probably just confuse your dog. If the dog moves away, repeat saying "quiet" as you go to him and give one more squirt of water at him. Repeat each time he barks needlessly. Usually one or two days of consistent training is enough. (5 to 10 water treatments). Very Important: Remember to reassure your best friend that you still love him by petting him later, when he's quiet. With this conditioning procedure your dog will learn to expect a squirt of water when you shout "Quiet" for once he has made the association, you won't need to squirt him again - only on rare occasions, if he forgets.