8 Ways to Reduce Barking

The following are notes that accompanied Sharon Savage's 1999 talk to the Dane County, WI, Dachshund club. They are based on the training theory discussed in Karen Pryor's book "Don't Shoot the Dog." Although punishment-based methods are discussed, these are NOT recommended.

Method 1: Remove the person or animal exhibiting the behavior

Example: Give away the dog, have it debarked, or put it someplace where you can't hear it barking.
Pro: The behavior no longer bothers you.
Con: Dog doesn't learn anything.

Method 2: Punishment (unpleasant event after the fact)

Example: Scold the dog, hit it.
Pro: Works if motivation to do the behavior is low or if caught early.
Con: Timing occurs too late and no association is made to the behavior. Punishment often must be escalated.

Method 3: Negative Reinforcement (unpleasant event that can be halted by changing behavior)

Example: Use automatic bark collar or spray with water while dog is barking
Pro: Works well for deliberate, willful misbehavior
Con: Animals may become fearful of situation that triggers barking.

Method 4: Extinction (ignore the behavior)

Example: Attention barking--leave the room. Visitor barking--ring doorbell repeatedly when no visitors are coming.
Pro: Easy to do and works rapidly when it works at all.
Con: Many behaviors are self-reinforcing.

Method 5: Train an incompatible behavior

Example: Reward dog for lying down or holding a toy when visitors enter.
Pro: Works well if dog has a high food or toy drive.
Con: Won't work for dogs with high motivation to bark.

Method 6: Put the behavior on cue

Example: Set a time and place to teach and reward "speak" and "quiet." Stop giving the "speak" command (allow it to extinguish).
Pro: Easy to put on cue because it's already occurring.
Con: Won't work for dogs with high motivation to bark.

Method 7: Shape the absence of the behavior

Example: Reward anything and everything that's not barking.
Pro: Don't need to have a plan for what dog SHOULD do.
Con: You may end up rewarding something equally bad.

Method 8: Change the motivation

Example: Allow outdoor barker to live indoors, cover tempting windows, treat fearful dog's underlying fear problem.
Pro: The best method in almost every case.
Con: Nothing!

Anti-Barking Products

All are available through the R.C. Steele catalog, 1-800-872-3773. Prices accurate as of 1997.

AMTEK Super Barker Breaker

Automatically emits a loud, piercing beep that only stops when the dog stops barking. Great for taping to a window or putting in front of a crate. Not good for dogs that bark in varied locations. $44.86

Citronella Bark Collar

Releases harmless citronella spray when the dog barks, startling him. About $75 online.