Puppy barking is perfectly natural for canines. As natural as birds sing, puppies bark, whine, and sometimes howl. If you are one devoted dog owner, you’ll know you will experience barking, whining and howling at any time. It would be totally impossible and unfair to wish to train your puppy to stop barking at all. However, it is really ideal for you, your neighbors, as well as your dog, if barking fits can be placed under control.

Why dogs start barking

Socially isolated or confined dogs who have not had supervised exercise for long periods will need some kind of outlet for their pent up energy. A dog who is alone all day is more likely to take up barking as a hobby because there is nobody to control him and make him stop. Pretty soon, barking will become an enjoyable habit for him or her. And for a great number of dogs, once they start barking, they continue to do so just for the sheer fun of doing it.

Unintentionally, you may have trained your dog to bark excessively. When your dog speaks, you go up and obey. “Woof” and you open the door to let them out, another “woof” and you open it again to let them in. Barking gets them a treat, they bark and they get a tummy rub. Puppy barking gets your attention and so they easily fall into this trap because the very nature of it gets your attention and they get what they want. And sometimes, it is very easy to forget to provide positive reinforcement such as praises and treats for your dog when they are not barking.

Barking and Exercises

If you want to reduce the amount your puppy barks and give yourself, your household, and your neighbors a little peace, it is important that you understand why your puppy barks. Usually a puppy will bark because it is afraid, bored, lonely, or frustrated. Behavioral problems are usually alleviated when you are spending more time with your new puppy. If your puppy is happy, contented and adequately exercised, he will probably spend the day napping when you are not at home. Try to take the time to give your puppy exercise, playtime, and proper training.

The repetition involved in puppy obedience training can be as boring for puppies as it is for their owners. Dogs love to learn tricks like “sit”, “stay”, and “come here”, but you can mix it up by also giving love hugs, massage, praise and goodies. Your puppy will take to training better if he is not bored.

If a dog stays in a fenced yard almost all of the time, he is likely to need some socializing. To keep the puppy barking to a minimum, it may be necessary to take them on a walk. On a daily walk they get to explore the outside things they see and smell while they are at home. Dogs and puppies will run around outside and have fun, but this is not necessarily exercise. Just like humans, they pace, fidget, and have other nervous tendencies. Some fun things to entertain your puppies with are chew toys for puppy biting and digging pits.

Dogs are very sociable. They are just like us. They need companions and friends. Your dog needs to be taken for walks and exercised every day or every week as well as to let them socialize with other dogs. If they play and romp all day, they will be exhausted. Then they will have no trouble sleeping well and rejuvenating after a good day of play and exercise.

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