HOW CAN I STOP MY DOG FROM BARKING AT NOISES?
Dogs bark at noises they hear for many reasons. They're letting you know something is up, protecting their territory, and protecting you. Your dog might feel worried about the noises they're hearing. If it's barking at noises all night, you and your dog are going to be more stressed.
Your dog's heart is in the right place, but it doesn't understand that we just want some peace and quiet. So, just how can you stop your dog from barking at all the noises in Los Angeles?
Reduce the Noise Level
Positive reinforcement training for dogs who are barking begins in the home. Your dog needs to know that your house is safe and that they don't need to bark. The first step is stopping the dog from hearing the noises as much as possible.
You can try to cover the noises by making a safe space for your dog. A white noise generator, a fan, or radio are all ways to mask the noticeable noises. You can set up a pen in the quietest place in your home and surround your dog with these masking noises.
The quietest place in your home could be anywhere from your living room or kitchen to the laundry room. You should try to find a spot where your dog can't hear much noise from the windows.
It could be that your dog gets nervous when left alone, and this is why it is barking so much when you leave. Setting up a relaxing space can help your pet feel comfortable.
Positive Reinforcement Training for Barking
Positive reinforcement is a dog training technique that uses treats and praise. To start, make a list of all the noises to which your dog reacts negatively. Dogs often bark at people's footsteps, cars, and other dogs barking.
Record these sounds on your phone or another device. Play the sounds from your phone inside the home at a lower volume, and then give your dog a treat. It's best for your dog to see the phone, so it understands the noise is coming from it. Otherwise, it might try to search for the sound and get excited.
Once your dog has made progress inside the home, you can replicate the training sessions outside on your walks. Rewarding your dog for being calm and not barking will teach it faster than other training methods.
It can take a while for your dog to understand not to bark, especially in a busy and noisy place like Calabasas. Positive reinforcement training will teach your dog that the sounds mean very little, and it doesn't have to be worried. Other training methods, such as using shock collars, will only give you and your dog more stress.
Keeping up regular training sessions in the home and with a professional dog trainer can make fantastic progress for your dog. We can help you train your dog to stop barking at these noises.