How to Stop a Puppy from Barking

Puppies bark for a wide variety of reasons, including aggression and fear. If your puppy’s barking is grating on your nerves, the good news is that there are many ways to stop this behavior. Enrolling your puppy in a training course can teach them how to respond to “quiet” or “speak” commands. Responding to your puppy’s needs by establishing a regular potty break routine is also helpful. If your puppy constantly barks or sounds in pain, reach out to your vet for help.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Dealing with Barking in the Moment

  1. If you can easily remove the cause of the barking, go ahead and do it. This will give you quiet right away and will provide you with some time to make a training plan. The key here is to respond right when you notice the barking. [1]
    • For example, if your dog barks at people it sees through the front window, you can close that window or put your dog in another room.
  2. Get a training treat and place it on your dog’s bed. Tell your puppy, “Go to your bed” in a firm tone — don't yell at your puppy though or you could scare it. Performing this task will distract your dog from barking. This training is also helpful to curb other puppy behaviors, such as jumping. [2]
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  3. The goal here isn’t to scare your puppy, but to shock them into silence. Drop a can filled with pennies onto the ground. The noise will make your dog curious and a bit concerned. They will usually stop barking. Whatever you do, make sure that it doesn’t overly distress or harm your puppy. [3]
    • This method works best if the cause of the sound remains a bit mysterious. So, don’t let your puppy see you drop the can.
  4. If your puppy is alone for long periods of time, it’s possible that they are bored and need some stimulation. Provide age-appropriate bones, rope chews, or squeakers. Look at the toy label to make sure it’s the right size and style for your puppy. This will keep your puppy’s mouth busy chewing instead of barking. [4]
  5. If your dog is barking for attention, then they are craving a response from you. To them, it doesn’t really matter if the response is negative or positive. Turn your back to your dog and walk a few steps away, if you are close. When your puppy stops barking, give it a treat immediately to reinforce the positive behavior. [5]
    • Be warned that this training method may require that you wait a long time, even over an hour. Don’t lose your temper or you’ll be worse off than before.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Changing Conditions and Patterns over Time

  1. It’s important to note when and why your puppy is barking, so that you can tailor your training to those issues. For 1 week, make a notation whenever your puppy barks and you are present. Write down the time, duration of the barking, your response, and any potential causes. You can also download an app that will let you make barking or puppy behavioral notes. [6]
    • Puppies bark for a wide variety of reasons, including territoriality, fear, excitement, boredom, demand, or health issues.
  2. Keep the thing that makes your puppy bark at a distance and then gradually move it forward. Give your puppy treats as it notices the stimulus and stays quiet. This will desensitize your puppy to the presence of this object or person. Instead of barking out of fear or for attention, your puppy will start to associate the stimulus with treats and praise. [7]
    • This method works well if your puppy barks at other dogs. They will learn that socialization is actually a good thing. You’ll need to repeat this process until it sticks.
  3. An exhausted puppy is a happy, non-barking puppy. Talk with your vet about how long you can safely walk your puppy. Then, hit the pavement with your puppy in a well-fitting harness or leash. If you don’t want to take a walk, a game of fetch will usually work, too. [8]
  4. Like going on regular walks, playing with your puppy can help tire it out so it's not barking as much. It will also prevent your puppy from barking at you for attention.
    • Spread your puppy's playtime out throughout the day. For example, you could play with it in the morning, on your lunch break, and when you get home from work.
  5. If your puppy barks when they are outside, consider installing privacy fencing or a line of dense bushes. If your puppy barks at the windows, pull the curtains closed or consider installing cling film that blurs the view of the outside. These actions will also help to reduce territorial barking. [9]
  6. Puppies often bark to let you know that they need something basic, such as a restroom break. A good rule of thumb is that a puppy can wait to relieve itself for 1 hour for every month of age. This means that your 12-week old puppy needs to be let out or given access to a puppy training pad every 3-4 hours. [10]
    • It’s a good idea to write down this schedule or put it on an app with reminders. Consistency is key when potty training your puppy.
    • If your puppy is barking or crying in the middle of the night, they likely need to be let out. Puppies usually can’t hold their bladders overnight.
  7. If your puppy is constantly barking or whining, then it’s time to make a vet appointment. It’s possible that your puppy has a bladder disorder or another medical issue that requires treatment. Some puppies are deaf and can’t hear themselves barking or know how to stop. [11]
    • If your puppy is deaf, it’s possible to teach them the “silent” command via hand signals or light signals.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Training Your Dog to be Quiet

  1. You can take your puppy to a class at your local pet store or talk with a trainer about private (or group) lessons. These classes will teach you how to provide your dog with positive outlets for their energy, instead of barking. Your puppy will also learn various commands, including the “settle” or “quiet” command. [12]
  2. This may sound counterintuitive, but it actually works! Use the “Speak!” command to ask your puppy to bark. When they start to bark, give them a treat. Stop the barking by using the “Silent!” command and again provide a treat when they stop barking. This makes barking a behavior that you can command, not one that the puppy alone controls. [13]
  3. Some puppies bark when they are crated, so you’ll need to work on making that a comfortable and calming environment. Exhaust your puppy with play before placing them in the crate. Stay in the room after you’ve crated them, at least initially. Provide treats for even short periods of cry- or bark-free crating. [14]
  4. Clicker training is a process where you use a clicker to make a noise whenever your puppy exhibits good behavior. Immediately after you make a noise with the clicker, you give your puppy a treat. Eventually, your puppy will associate the noise with good behavior, making it easier to train.
    • Whenever your puppy stops barking, use the clicker to make a noise and then immediately give it a treat.
  5. You can buy these bark-deterrent devices at your local pet store or online. They often come disguised as a treehouse or other outside decorative item. Once you hang and turn on the treehouse, it emits an ultrasonic signal that encourages your puppy to stay silent and calm. [15]
    • Not all puppies and dogs respond to these devices, but for some it provides a much needed correction. The devices should not be painful for your puppy. But, if you are concerned, talk over your plan with your vet beforehand.
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      Tips

      • Use praise and treats to encourage all positive developments. If your puppy stops barking, immediately provide a treat. If they listen to a command, provide a treat. [16]
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      Warnings

      • Do your best to stay calm with interacting with your puppy. Avoid yelling at them to be quiet or you’ll just make the noise problem worse. [17]
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
      2. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
      3. ↑ http://www.kaufmannspuppytraining.com/stop-puppy-barking/
      4. ↑ https://www.vetbabble.com/dogs/training-and-behavior/stop-dogs-barking/
      5. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
      6. ↑ https://www.vetbabble.com/dogs/training-and-behavior/stop-dogs-barking/
      7. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
      8. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html
      9. ↑ https://www.rover.com/blog/surefire-ways-to-stop-dog-barking/
      1. ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-a-puppy-barks-at-night-and-how-to-stop-it?page=2
      2. ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-a-puppy-barks-at-night-and-how-to-stop-it
      3. ↑ https://www.rover.com/blog/surefire-ways-to-stop-dog-barking/
      4. ↑ http://www.dogster.com/dog-training/puppy_barking
      5. ↑ http://trainyourgsd.com/stop-a-puppy-from-crying-and-barking-at-night/
      6. ↑ https://www.rover.com/blog/surefire-ways-to-stop-dog-barking/
      7. ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-a-puppy-barks-at-night-and-how-to-stop-it?page=2
      8. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/how_to_stop_barking.html

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To stop a puppy from barking, try making a loud, surprising noise to distract it. You could use a can filled with pennies, clap loudly, or do something else that might get your puppy’s attention. To change its behavior over time, ignore your puppy when it barks instead of responding to it, which will prevent it from associating barking with receiving attention. Additionally, provide your dog with plenty of chew toys to keep it distracted and prevent it from barking when it's bored. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to identify the cause of your puppy’s barking, keep reading!

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