How to Stop a Dog Barking Problem and Gain a Peaceful Household

For this Omaha dog training session we helped 3 year-old Mini Schnauzer Gunther with his dog barking problem. We wanted to help with his excessive barking so his 6 year-old Shih Tzu roommate can get some rest.

As soon as I stepped inside the home, Gunther was fired up. He barked and moved away, circled a bit and kept his distance indicating he wasn’t super confident about his actions. His roommate Daisy was much more relaxed.

What Causes a Dog Barking Problem?

When I met with the guardians to talk about the dogs’ behavior problems, I learned something important. The dogs lacked structure and were petted when they felt anxious or when the humans wanted to. This is fine for many dogs, but for Gunther, the lack of rules had caused him to become confused as to his place in the family.

It’s a good bet that Gunther acts out with barking and movements to communicate he isn’t happy with new people around. I used several dog behaviorist tricks to help him calm down and trust me. However, the best way to stop a dog from barking is to find the root cause of the behavior.

I discussed ways to add structure for Gunther. I talked about how to reward him for actions his family liked.

I explained how to redirect him when he started to feel anxious. I also mentioned the importance of not petting him when he was unbalanced. Instead, his family should practice petting with a purpose. Finally, I noted that more exercise can help him.

Why Does my Schnauzer Bark so Much?

Schnauzers are known for being vocal dogs, and they bark for several reasons. First, they are natural watchdogs, barking to alert you about things they find concerning, such as new people or the doorbell ringing. They also bark to express their emotions or to communicate with their owners.

When it comes to protecting their family, Schnauzers can be particularly vocal. Their history as working dogs helps explain why they bark often. People originally bred them to guard farms and catch rats.

Additionally, Mini Schnauzers are naturally vocal, but their barking shouldn’t be mistaken for aggression.

To teach a dog to stop barking, I’ve found that using simple cue words works best. This allows me to ask the dog to bark or to be quiet, once they learn the cues. You can check out my free dog behavior video below for more tips on how to stop barking.

To teach a dog to stop barking, I’ve found that using simple cue words works best. This allows me to ask the dog to bark or to be quiet, once they learn the cues. You can check out my free dog behavior video below for more tips on how to stop barking.

Dogs bark for all sorts of reasons—boredom, pain, fear, or just feeling anxious. If your pup is barking too much, here are some tips to help calm them down.

First, make sure they’re getting plenty of exercise; a good walk, run, or a fun trip to the dog park can significantly help. Establishing a daily routine with set meal times, play, and exercise is also key.

Keep your dog busy with puzzle toys to challenge their mind. If they bark for attention, try ignoring it; they’ll eventually learn that barking doesn’t get them what they want. When they’re quiet, reward them with treats or a new toy to reinforce that behavior.

If your dog is barking at specific things, work on desensitizing them to those triggers gradually. Instead of scolding them for unwanted behaviors, redirect their energy to something more acceptable. If you have problems like separation anxiety or barking too much, please contact us.

If the guardians help Gunther with his anxiety, he should stop barking. They can do this by giving him more exercise, structure, and rewards for good behavior. The positive dog training tips in the video can also help him. The positive dog training tips in the video can also help him with this.

To help the guardians remember the dog behavior tips I shared, we made a roadmap to success video. Check it out below.