Dogs bark – that is a fact. But the fact is even the most devoted dog lover won’t be able deal with constant barking day in and day out.

Think about this: how would you like to rise in the middle of the night to Fido’s yap, yap, yapping? How would you like being hated by your neighbors, or better yet, getting reported to the cops for all the clamor your pet is making?

Please keep reading through this article, and discover ways to stop your dog barking at night.

Truly, dog barking is a joint problem between the dog and his master. But how do you influence your dog to cease barking? Here are some suggestions that can work:

1. Determine why he is barking.
What’s with the barking? Because it is what they do, that’s why! However, there is usually a solid reason why your pet is barking so much. The first course of action in curbing dog barking is finding out why.

Your pet may be compelled to bark incessantly by a plethora of factors. If there are outsiders in his territory, he might feel threatened. He might be scared or in pain, or hungry or thirsty. The least of which is that he might simply be longing for attention out of restlessness.

Regardless of the reason, your pet is perfectly aware that the most effective way to get your full attention is to make a fuss, and he’s doing just that. And once you understand his reasons, you are well poised to stop his barking.

2. Ensure he’s busy.
You might have found that whenever your dog is busy with something, such as treats or a toy, he is often rather focused and quiet. It’s safe to surmise that among the most sensible ways to keep your dog from barking is to keep him occupied. Identify the places that he likes, and place his toys about strategically. You may even include rawhide treats as a plus. You would be enjoying some peace and quiet before you know it, at least for a while.

3. Minimize distractions.
If your pet stays outdoors most of the time, chances are he is barking at the various distractions in the area. Passing cars, pedestrians, other animals – you name it, and he’s likely distressed because he can’t get to it. To stop your dog from barking at these various distractions, it’s a great idea to build a closed-off fence or gate.

4. Intervene on his barking.
Many canines can bark nonstop withoutstopping for breath. In these instances, you’re going to have to interrupt his barking by taking him by surprise. You can squirt a jet of water at him, rattle a can of coins noisily, or make any sound or gesture that are rather loud and surprising. Keep the element of surprise, and it won’t fail to work. This method also works great if you desire your dog to stop barking in the crate.

5. If he is quiet, reward him.
It is common knowledge in dog obedience training that positive reinforcement succeeds markedly better than punishment. It is, therefore, a great idea to shower your dog with compliments and treats as rewards for those valuable minutes of silence.

6. Understand that your pet requires exercise.
Barking is typically brought about by stress, so lessening stress through exercise and play, in essence, lessens barking. Take the moment to play fetch, or take your dog out on regular walks. A dog sitter or dog walker can take your place, if you’re hard-pressed to do so. Your dog will be less unsettled and calmer, as well as happy and in good shape, too!

7. Factor in your dog’s breed.
The characteristics of your dog’s breed might be an aspect to ponder on, if all else does not work. Some canine breeds bark more compared to others, so it is conceivable that your dog’s barking issue might be breed-specific.

If all your efforts to stop your dog barking at other dogs fail, it may be time to contemplate enrolling your pet to canine obedience training. Investigate every option; leave no stone unturned. Nothing must get in the way of you and your dog’s peaceful existence together, so make the move to stop dog barking now.