How to Stop Your Dog Barking

Yes and no. Certain breeds are more inclined to bark (such as the Dachshund). These dogs are inclined to bark more easily and changing these behaviours is incredibly challenging. For other breeds this is possible with consistency and effort.

There are four real drivers. Poor socialisation, which is by far the biggest cause in a dog that should not otherwise bark. Breeding, since Beagles, Border Collies, Dachshunds and Chihuahuas were selectively bred to be vocal. Separation anxiety, where the dog believes barking will bring you back. And an overly stressed dog, which is the one most owners never suspect.

If your dog reacts instantly to any noise, they are on edge, even if they seem calm the rest of the time.

Check first whether your dog is genuinely bored or short on exercise, because real boredom is a real cause. Exercise on its own is not a cure for behavioural barking though, and adding a second walk to a dog who cannot switch off usually just produces a fitter dog who cannot switch off.

No, and we will not refer you to anyone who recommends one. Spray, vibration and shock collars all work by making the barking unpleasant for your dog rather than dealing with the reason behind it. At The Toe Beans Co we completely disagree with any method that uses fear, force, pain or aggression, and any tool that follows that thinking.

There are four levels and the current prices are all on the puppy school booking page, along with exactly what each one includes.

The four weeks of class are identical at every level. What you are choosing between is how much one to one time you get in your own home, how long you keep the online course, and how directly you can reach us afterwards. Most families land on the second level, which is where a session at home and the full course access switch on.

Yes. On Puppy School, home sessions start at Silver. On Private Puppy Training and Adult Dog Training and Behaviourism, every session is at your address. A trainer comes to you and works on your setup, your routine and the behaviour that is actually happening where you live, which is almost never the same as what happens in a training room.

We cover Sydney within roughly a forty five minute drive of the Harbour Bridge. That takes in the eastern suburbs, inner west, lower and upper north shore, northern beaches and south Sydney. Only the group class brings you to a venue.

Yes, and we would rather you did. The meet and greet is fifteen minutes, free, and there is nothing to sign at the end of it.

Bring the questions you feel silly asking. Most of what people are worried about at eight weeks is completely normal and takes about ninety seconds to answer, and knowing that before you spend anything is worth more to us than a booking made by someone who is not sure.

Yes. The entry level is the four weeks of class with community support and Public-level Ask Luke. It does not include the online course, and plenty of people start there.

Worth knowing what you are trading off. Class is one hour a week in a room. Everything that actually goes wrong happens at your front door, in your hallway and on your street, and that is what the session at home is for. If budget is the reason, start where you can and step up later rather than not starting.

Common, and not a sign anything has gone wrong. Most puppies pull the first few times a lead is attached because they have had no practice with one yet. Short, structured sessions from eight weeks build the habit early, before pulling becomes the default.

It depends on the dog and how long pulling has been the pattern. Some owners see a real difference within a couple of weeks of consistent stop, start, change direction. A dog with months or years of practice pulling usually takes longer to unlearn it.