Dogs bark just as people talk. It is perfectly normal. Just as some people talk too much, some dogs bark too much. Excessive barking or barking at inappropriate times can be corrected. It is easier to correct a puppy than it is to retrain an adult barker.

There are many reasons why some dogs bark excessively. Confinement in a home, yard, or kennel can result in excessive barking. The dog barks to attract attention because he is lonely or bored. Dogs which are not exercised enough bark to release tension. Some dogs are hypersensitive to every sound or movement around them. This may be a result of environmental training or breed characteristics. A dog growing up can learn to bark too much because his caregiver inadvertently reinforces his barking. For example, the puppy barks and the caregiver yells, "Quit barking!" The puppy interprets this verbal attention as a sign that you approve of the barking. So he continues.

We should keep three goals in mind in correcting excessive and inappropriate barking. Reduce the number of barks per session. Eliminate those situations or events that are causing the barking. Increase the length of the quiet times between barking sessions. It is not reasonable to eliminate barking altogether. It is okay for a dog to sound the alarm by barking a few times.

There are some basic training techniques that can be done to reduce excessive barking. First, get control of your dog through training. This will establish you as the leader, so when you give the command "No Bark!" he will instantly obey. Do not physically punish him for barking. Dogs do not relate punishment, after the fact, to the previous act. Praise him when he is not barking. It seems silly, but it works. Whenever your dog is just lying around being quiet, say, "Good Dog!" After the third or fourth alarm bark, say, "NO BARK!" When he stops, say, "Sit," followed by "Good Dog!" In other words, give a verbal reprimand for excessive barking and follow it up with a command and praise which indicates what you want him to do after he barks the alarm. Always use a soft, quiet voice forcing him to listen. If he barks in the house after you leave, change the way you depart. Act unemotionally! Just say, "Good-bye, Jack," and walk out.

If he is already into heavy-duty barking, start with the above retraining program. Use a deliberate set-up by leaving and quietly returning to check if he is barking. If he is not barking, go into the house and praise him. If he is barking, verbally reprimand him, give him a "down" command and leave again. If he is outside, the verbal reprimand might be accompanied by a horn or whistle to interrupt the barking. Be persistent in the training. Do not give up!