Mary Allen
Puppies are super cute and funny – most of the time. They can also regularly drive us to despair.
If your ears are ringing because your puppy is constantly barking and you’re wondering how to react – you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll explain why your puppy barks at you and how to stop it from barking.
In a nutshell: My puppy barks at me – you can do that!
When your puppy barks at you, he wants your attention.
The best way to help here is to ignore it.
Ignore means: don’t look, don’t speak to, don’t touch.
If you want to stop your puppy from barking permanently, clarify the reason for his loud behavior.
Puppies bark at you because they are demanding attention – out of boredom, frustration or because the bladder is tight.
It can also be due to being overwhelmed, in which case you should give your puppy more rest in everyday life.
If your puppy is barking out of insecurity, you can make him feel comfortable with the scary situation by positively associating it with treats or games.
If your puppy is barking out of alertness, train him to stop.
To train your barkball to be a quiet dog, you will find detailed explanations and instructions in our Training Bible.
Why is my puppy barking at me?
Barking is part of the normal communication vocabulary among dogs, along with growls, howls, whines and whines.
Depending on why your puppy is barking, you can deal with it differently.
Here are some reasons your dog might bark at you:
- He wants attention
- He’s frustrated
- He has to
- He is overjoyed
- He’s overwhelmed
Dogs can also bark out of uncertainty or as a warning. In this case, he is not barking at you, but in the direction of the ‘disruption’.
Good to know:
There are dog breeds that bark more than others. They were bred for decades for specific tasks for which barking was desired. This includes, for example, guard or herding dogs such as the Doberman or Collies, but also certain hunting dogs such as the Beagle, Spitz and Terrier.
My puppy is barking at me – what to do?
First, think about the situations in which your puppy barks and what could be the best reason for it. Then you’re ready to respond to your pup’s barking.
If your puppy barks out of boredom, frustration or joy, the best medicine is very simple:
To ignore!
Ignore means: Don’t look! Don’t address! Do not touch!
That’s easier said than done. Some teenagers have a lot of staying power.
If you withdraw your puppy’s attention but give up halfway, he’ll learn, “I just have to bark long enough and I’ll get what I want.”
Hold on!
Attention danger!
Even scolding is attention! Your puppy doesn’t care if you get angry – on the contrary, it sounds like you’re barking with him. What a nice excitement, the noise is twice as much fun!
Recognize that the puppy is overwhelmed
We often underestimate how many impressions, smells and noises our little ones get when we “just go out to pee”.
Excessive training can also be too much for your puppy.
If your pup is overwhelmed, he may need to vent the pent-up excitement around the home.
He barks, runs around wildly and bites your pant leg?
The solution is again: ignore.
Not so easy when your puppy not only barks, but also bites or bumps into you.
So that he is still unsuccessful with his behavior, you can put your young dog in a separate area for a short time (e.g. a dog guard) or stand on a chair yourself. But please don’t leave him alone.
My advice:
Reconsider your daily schedule. A puppy needs up to 20 hours of rest to process experiences. The rough rule of thumb is: 10 minutes of action a day for every month of the puppy’s life. If you avoid overwhelm, your little one will be able to relax at home.
Uncertainty
If your puppy is barking out of insecurity, step out of the situation you are in.
Once he calms down, you can analyze what triggered his anxiety.
Over the next few weeks you can bring about the situation in a controlled manner and ensure that your little one associates it positively, e.g. with treats or games.
Gradually he will become more confident. This is how you can stop your puppy from barking out of insecurity.
“Silence Please!” – Discourage alert puppies from barking
If you have an alert puppy, you won’t be able to break the habit of ‘sounding the alarm’. However, you can teach him a stop signal to protect your ears and the neighborhood.
Make your dog bark 2-3 times, then hold a treat in front of his snout.
If you’ve managed to stop the bark a few times, you can add a signal word – e.g. ‘quiet’.
Praise him in a calm voice or slip him a treat. Be careful not to upset him with your praise.
Do not inadvertently increase barking
Ask yourself: Is it possible that you unintentionally rewarded your puppy for barking?
Has he only ever received food or pats when he made himself known loudly?
Then turn the tables on him and make sure you keep giving him your attention when he’s acting quiet.
If a behavior is rewarding, your puppy will show it more often—whether you judge it as good behavior or bad behavior.
Good to know:
If you remain relaxed yourself, your puppy will automatically calm down. Puppies are very good at taking on moods. You know that from your mother – bitches also train their puppies to ignore them and remain calm themselves.
Conclusion
If you want to stop your puppy from barking, you should first clarify what the reasons for his behavior are. If you know the cause, you can avoid or contain it in the future.
When your puppy barks at you, he wants your attention. Ignoring is the best solution here!
If he barks because he is particularly alert or unsure, you can train him and give him security.
Don’t forget to praise your puppy when he’s quiet. Over time, he learns which behavior is worthwhile and which is not.
If you need help identifying why your puppy is barking, our Parenting Bible gives you a full explanation of puppy behavior and detailed training tips.