Barking can be useful when it acts as deterrent to protect property or when dogs need to warn us or ask to go out. However, excessive barking can increase the stress levels in a household or can lead to the neighbours complaining. No one wants that. The good news is that noisy dogs can be persuaded to be quiet again, even if, at present, the slightest thing sets them off and their habit is well established. 

Contents 

• Introduction 4 
• Why so loud? 4 
• First aid – how to get quiet fast 4 
• Puppy barking 4 
• Breed influence 5 
• Shut up! Why punishment is bad 6 
• Find a reason 7 
• ‘Let me get to it’ - frustration barking 7 
• ‘I’m so excited’ – excitement barking 8 
• ‘This is my job’ – established excitement barking 9 
• ‘There’s someone out there!’ – territorial barking 10 
• ‘Look at me’ – attention-seeking barking 11 
• ‘So lonely’ – separation problem barking 12 
• ‘I’m confused ….’ – old-age barking 12 
• Barking in the car 13 
• More than one reason 13 
• How to stop them – long-term solutions 13 
• Curing frustration barking 13 
• Speak and quiet 16 
• Barking on the lead 17 
• Barking to get to play with other dogs 17 
• Curing excitement barking 18 
• ‘This is my job’ 22 
• Curing territorial barking 22 
• Curing attention-seeking barking 26 
• How long will it take? 28 
• How to get further help 28