Dog Training Questions
Answered
Science-based answers to the most common dog training questions. From professional trainers who've seen it all.
To stop excessive barking, you need to first understand WHY your dog is barking. Dogs bark for different reasons, and each requires a different approach.
Common causes and solutions:
2. Boredom barking: Increase mental stimulation with puzzle toys, training sessions, and enrichment. A tired brain barks less.
3. Attention-seeking barking: Completely ignore it. Any attention — even "quiet!" — reinforces it. Wait for silence, then reward.
4. Anxiety barking: Address the underlying anxiety. This may require desensitisation training or professional help.
Important: Never yell at a barking dog. To them, you're just barking too — which confirms there's something to bark about.
The quiet command: Wait for a natural pause in barking. Mark it ("yes!") and reward. Gradually add the cue word "quiet" before the pause. Build duration slowly.
✓ Key Points
- •Identify the cause before addressing the behaviour
- •Never yell — it sounds like barking to your dog
- •Completely ignore attention-seeking barking
- •Reward quiet moments
- •Mental stimulation reduces boredom barking
Need help putting this into practice? The Titan Training Academy app guides you through it step by step, with progress tracking and personalised tips for your dog.
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