HOW TO CONTROL BARKING
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By Jon Wedemeyer
April 21, 2023

Foxy (front left) and Jett (right rear) two Pomeranian's I treated with barking issues.

Barking in dogs is a problem that can range from the occasionally annoying barking outburst at a passerby, the mailman, or a delivery person, to dogs that bark constantly for a variety of reasons.

Luckily, working with and treating barking dogs is not that difficult a process, as long as it is done with patience, consistency and not making it a contest or argument with the dog - that will often only make them bark even more!

The main idea in treatment is to find a high-value treat or toy that is more important to the dog than whatever it is getting out of the barking

With Foxy and Jett, the two Poms. shown above, they were extremely treat motivated, so I went with that. I showed them the treat pouch I had made with their favorite treats. In their case, it was carrots, their favorite treat. I always go for natural food for a treat/reward instead of commercial treats as they are very processed and loaded with all sorts of additives, etc.

Both dogs had been barking at me since the minute I got there. I talked to the caretakers a while to get a fix on what was going on and to be able to observe them. I quickly realized I was dealing with the equivalent of two 4-year-olds vying for my attention but also trying a bit to control and intimidate me.

I asked for their favorite treat and chopped up a bunch of carrots and let them watch me as I put them in a clear plastic baggie that I then held up in front of me to show them.

They immediately sat down, stopped barking, and just stared at me waiting for a treat. The carrots were more important than barking at me.

Here is an Initial Treatment Plan for Barking:

– When the barking behavior occurs, turn your back on the dog(s) and ignore or walk away. Keep turning your back on them when they bark. Try not to associate any other response whatsoever, to the barking. The idea here is to reject the barking behavior and give them nothing to gain and everything to lose from the barking.

– They need to learn that the barking will not lead to any other response from you but turning your back and/or leaving. If necessary, remove yourself and the treats from the room when the barking starts, then return as soon as it stops. Repeat this whenever the barking starts up again. You are their most high-value resource/possession, the idea here is to take you away from them as a result of the barking and return you when it stops.

– When entering or leaving the house, do so as quickly as possible to eliminate the amount of time they will bark. The idea here is to make it less of an “event” for them and give them no real excitement out of the process.

As noted earlier, this is an initial treatment plan and is a starting point. Most dogs will respond well and learn not to bark, but some may be harder cases. In that event feel free to contact us for a ZOOM or PHONE Consult.

Hope this primer on barking helps you and your pup, and we are always available to help!

Jon Wedemeyer – Is the founder of, and has operated North Florida K9 Behavior Center in Gainesville, FL., since 2015. Between his practice and his shelter work has worked over 2,000 canine behavior cases. He received his Diploma in Canine Psychology and Behavior from The International School for Canine Psychology and Behavior ISCP and recently completed a Master Class in Canine Aggression and a Certification Class in Canine Separation Anxiety.

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