Reducing Unnecessary Barking
Understanding Why Dogs Bark (And How to Reduce It)
Barking is normal dog behaviour. The goal isn't to eliminate all barking - it's to help your dog understand when barking is appropriate and when it's excessive. It is really important to understand that some dog's bark as part of their breed profile.
Common doodle mixes (such as the Cavoodle) are also bred with dog's that bark a lot. If you own a Cavoodle and are looking to completely eliminate barking, you are not going to do that. That is part of the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel breed. It is like asking a Chihuahua to stop.
Common Barking Triggers
Dogs bark for different reasons: alerting you to visitors, excitement, stress, boredom, or seeking attention. Each situation requires a slightly different approach, but the core principle remains the same - calm, consistent responses work far better than shouting.
What Makes Barking Worse
The biggest mistake? Shouting back. When your dog barks (essentially yelling that they think there's a problem) and you yell in response, they assume you're as concerned as they are. This reinforces the exact behaviour you want to stop.
Effective Solutions for Different Situations
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Alert Barking (someone at the door, birds outside): Acknowledge the alert once with a calm "thank you" whilst looking toward what they're alerting to. Then turn your back and walk away. If barking continues after your acknowledgement, calmly take them to a quiet room and close the door. Release them only after they've been silent for at least 30 seconds.
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Excitement Barking: When excitement barking starts, become completely still - no eye contact, movement, or speaking. If it continues beyond 30 seconds, use isolation for 3-5 minutes. Never reward stopping with treats immediately, as this teaches them that barking then stopping earns rewards.
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Demand Barking: This is your dog trying to get your attention or something they want. The solution is simple but requires consistency: completely ignore it. The moment you respond - even to tell them to stop - you've rewarded the behaviour.
The Power of Calm Isolation
When barking becomes excessive, brief isolation in a quiet, boring room helps your dog calm down. This isn't punishment - it's giving them the space to settle. The key is waiting for complete silence before releasing them. Even opening the door mid-bark teaches them that barking works.
Managing Your Environment
Set yourself up for success. If your dog barks at birds through the back window, close the blinds. If they bark at neighbours in the garden, keep them inside whilst you're establishing new patterns. These aren't permanent solutions, but they prevent you from fighting battles on multiple fronts.
Breed Considerations
Some breeds were selectively bred to bark more than others. Beagles, Chihuahuas, Border Collies, and Cavaliers naturally vocalise more frequently. You can train the vast majority of dogs to stop excessive barking, but you're working against generations of genetics. Set realistic expectations.
The Timeline for Change
Barking is frustrating, and there's no magic solution. However, with consistency across your entire household, most dogs show meaningful improvement within a few weeks. Everyone must respond the same way, every time.
Professional Support Available And What To Do Next
At The Toe Beans Co, we specialise in helping dogs to overcome their behaviour issues through ethical methods. That means no pain, no fear, no force - just calm, consistent guidance that works. You have a couple of options of what to do next:
- Not Ready For A Trainer Just Yet: You can find plenty of free support in our community where we have dedicated behavioural courses on solving behaviour problems, breed guides and puppy programs. It's free to join and we run weekly zoom calls and you can ask questions.
- Ready For A Trainer: Please book a meet and greet or a session through the website if you are based in Sydney. If you are not based in Sydney but would still like support we do offer online training, please just send us a message through the chat
Ready to enjoy a quieter home? Get in touch today.
