How do I get my dog to stop barking?!?

[frannn]

My dog has (chocolate lab) is a bark-o-holic. He barks at me, DH, strangers, etc. When he barks at us, its usually because he wants to go out, but sometimes its for no reason. He is extremely friendly, and does not bark at us viciously. Today he is barking almost constantly every time a bird flies into our yard. We have sliding glass doors to our yard, and he runs around and barks at the doors to try to get at the birds, squirrels, etc. I work from home and this is very disruptive. I also have a baby at home who can't take a nap because of the dog. This has been getting progressively worse. Do you have any ideas? DH won't leave him outside without supervision because he thinks someone will steal him or let him loose, but I can't listen to this all day.

 

[iloveblonds2000]

I have been wondering the same thing for years!! I finally just cleaned out the spare bedroom and gave it to the pooch!!

 

[monkeyboy]

Take away their credit cards?

Oh wait that is how you stop an elephant from charging...sorry carry on

 

[Jolie C]

Hello to a fellow chocolate lab owner! We trained our dog to stop barking with a command and a hand signal, just like you train them for anything else. We helped her get the idea that we wanted her to be quiet by bringing out a treat, which immediately stops the barking with our dog. Good luck!

 

[kild]

Choking the dog with a grin on your face works too.

 

[Otto's Doll]

I have a German Shepherd who barks when someone passes on the street outside, so I keep the curtains closed when we want quiet. Could you put a blind on the sliding glass door that you could close when you don't want the dog to see outside? As far as inside barking at your family, can't help you with that. Benji only barks when we are playing with him.

 

[scarlett873]

we have a lab/rottie mix and she's quite the barker! it's constant...she's only 6 months old. we aren't sure how to stop the barking either!

she quiets down for a treat...and she's quiet if she's let out of her crate. we put her outside and she barks...put her in her crate before SHE'S ready, she barks...it makes me crazy!!

 

[Jolie C]

Originally posted by kild
Choking the dog with a grin on your face works too.

Shhhhh!!!! That's my "alternate" training method that no one is supposed to know about!

 

[shelbyjosh]

Check this out. You may be interested in this. Our golden used to bark from am-pm. Drove me crazy!! I used one of these and it worked! Like your dog, Trapper barks at people on bikes, walkers, etc. Sometimes I am ready to beat him, but I just have to distract him from the trouble.

 

[bellacam]

As you can see we are the owners of a Chocolate Lab as well... we tried several methods and eventually we were able to traine him with a Gentle Spray Bark Collar...when the dog barks excessivley, it releases a harmles spray of citronella that is harmless but unpleasant to the dog. It has worked miracles for our Harley. I higly recommend it.

http://worldpetstore.com/abancitcol.html

Edited to add web site

 

[DisneyVillain]

He's lonely. Get him a kitten.

 

[DisneyJules]

My lab does the same thing. Not to us, but will bark at ANYTHING going on outside. I tell her noooo, and I ask her to come lie down. She usually does, then when she's about to get up to bark some more, I do the "ah,ahhh," she gives me the look, grumbles and lies down to sleep. Sometimes she has a reason for barking, I can tell she's looking after the house and us. But if it's excessive, I calm her down.

 

[zurgswife]

Originally posted by bellacam
As you can see we are the owners of a Chocolate Lab as well... we tried several methods and eventually we were able to traine him with a Gentle Spray Bark Collar...when the dog barks excessivley, it releases a harmles spray of citronella that is harmless but unpleasant to the dog. It has worked miracles for our Harley. I higly recommend it.

http://worldpetstore.com/abancitcol.html

Edited to add web site

I use this for my barky beagles and they have worked quite well...give them a try they are great...

 

[inthemood]

We have a black lab and he used to bark and drool profusely when he wanted to get to something on the other side of the window.I was introduced to a collar called the gentle leader... It has worked wonders!! It almost looks like a muzzle but the dog can eat and drink .. it applies gentle pressure.. Our lives with this dog have become wonderful I highly reccommend it... I don't know if you can get it in pet stores. But we hired a trainer to work with us and our dog. The gentle leader is all he will use !!!

Hope this helps

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I dunno, but I have a Jack Russell terrier who spends entire afternoons barking viciously at inanimate objects, such as not plugged in oscillating desk fans, pencil holders, bookshelves and luggage.

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by bellacam
As you can see we are the owners of a Chocolate Lab as well... we tried several methods and eventually we were able to traine him with a Gentle Spray Bark Collar...when the dog barks excessivley, it releases a harmles spray of citronella that is harmless but unpleasant to the dog. It has worked miracles for our Harley. I higly recommend it.

ITA. This is what the rescue group I volunteer for recommends. I don't like the idea of shock collars, I have seen too many dogs traumatized by them.

 

[Lynn CC]

Did you try a Citronella Bark Collar? I think they are more dog friendly than the shock collars.
They are around @200 but the smell distracts them so they forget about what they were barking for.

 

[shelbyjosh]

About the Gentle Leaders...my dog walks great with it. Stays right by my side. DH can't stand when I use it. He says he needs to learn how to walk on a regular leash. I am constantly yanking him and he gags on a regular leash! You can get the GL at Petsmart. I think they are around $25 and come in several sizes.