Rewards

• 1). Reward your dog when it is quiet, with a pat on the head or a small treat. Reinforce your message by smiling and saying “Quiet,” just before you give the reward.
  
  
• 2). Sit down quietly and wait for a pause in the barking, if your dog makes too much noise when it becomes over-excited about something such as dinner or a walk. As soon as the dog quietens, give it whatever it is anticipating.
  
  
• 3). Give you dog regular chances to let off steam by letting it run about and bark in the open air and play with other friendly dogs. Plenty of exercise will help your dog run off the energy it might otherwise put into barking.
  
  
• 4). Give your dog toys to play with or chew on. While it is busy doing these things, it won’t be barking.
  
  

Reassurance

• 1). Put the dog in a room on its own for a short period. When it is quiet—even for a brief moment—go into the room and praise the dog. Gradually increase the length of time for which the dog is on its own, so it will settle and refrain from barking at times when you are not around.
  
  
• 2). Don’t make a fuss of your dog immediately before leaving the house, or on arriving home. Avoid making eye contact, speaking to or stroking your dog at these times. Leave discreetly and on returning, wait for your dog to stop barking before making a fuss of it.
  
  
• 3). Make a den or safe hiding place for your dog to go to when it feels afraid or under stress. Dogs often bark out of fear, so a hiding place may calm it and reduce the barking. A cupboard with a soft cushion to lie on makes a good hiding place.
  
  
• 4). Leave a radio on very quietly if your dog barks when left on its own.
  
  
• 5). Speak quietly to your dog and make calm movements and gestures. Dogs like to follow their owners, so the dog will calm down to match your mood in time. If you shout at your barking dog, it may take that as a cue to get even noisier.