How To Stop Dog Barking In Your Apartment
The only thing about owning an unpleasant dog is that it
Many dog owners have had the following experience: you bid your dog, who seems to be doing fine, farewell and leave for work, school, or a fun outing with your friends. After spending several hours away, you go home to complaints from your neighbors regarding the dog’s constant barking. How may a dog’s barking be stopped without annoying your neighbors?
Why do dogs bark?
If you have to deal with angry neighbors bothered by your dog, the good news is that there are a few things you can do to stop your dog from barking while you’re away from your apartment. However, you must first understand why dogs bark to stop it from happening again.
There are many different reasons why dogs bark nonstop:
- Anxiety: Some dogs have separation anxiety, much like some people. They might then bark to communicate their feelings when you’re not there.
- Boredom: Dogs are playful animals and will bark to try to get someone’s attention if they are bored.
- Your dog may become startled by an unexpected noise and bark. This might occur if your neighbors make any changes above, below, or to either side of you.
- A startle at the door: Your dog will probably become frightened and bark if you have a visitor or a delivery during the day and the doorbell rings.
- Dogs are naturally territorial creatures, and when they feel a threat to their home, they will bark to let people know it is their domain and to sound the alarm. One of the many advantages of having a dog is that the neighbors don’t want their home to be protected by its barking, which could be a problem.
- Do you have a dog who enjoys stealing the show? After you leave, your dog will probably still want to be the center of attention and may even start to bark.
- Loneliness: Dogs can bark to let us know they’d like to see people again because they’re our social animal friends and like company.
These are only a handful of the factors that contribute to dog barking. Discovering the source of your dog’s bark will assist you in attempting to calm them while you’re away.
How to effectively stop a dog from barking.
Dogs, like people, have unique personalities, so there is no one right way to train your dog to be quiet. Even though this can be upsetting, you should know the various methods available to calm Fido down while you’re away and reduce unwanted barking behavior. Here is a list of some excellent tips for how to get your dog to stop barking.
1. Make the vision blurry
Dogs rarely bark to make noise (although some breeds do). The squirrel sitting in the tree outside your living room window, for example, can cause your barking to bark in response to dangers that are real or fictitious or in response to exciting sights. For this reason, many dog owners begin their barking solutions by simply turning off the outside sights and sounds.
Consider drawing your blinds, closing your curtains, or blocking the window with a significant object as you’re getting ready to leave for the day. Your neighbors will check to ensure your dog has stopped barking because doing so turns off the visual cue that excites it.
Additionally, keeping your curtains drawn throughout the day helps lower your utility expenses, particularly in the sweltering summertime.
2. Noise management
If your dog is barking because it cannot hear the strange noises outside, try turning on your television, radio, or a white-noise generator. Do you own an intelligent home assistant similar to Alexa or Google Home? Consider putting your dogs’ music on high while you leave home. There are even TV stations devoted to dogs, so you could leave your dog with a show playing while you are gone.
A loud volume can scare your pup or your neighbors, so keep it moderate. Because they are always busy and can’t look outside, pets often feel like they have company, which is very helpful.
3. allow them to exercise
Another home is the reason that many dogs bark when they are inside their homes. Before you leave, grab Fido’s leash and give him an exercise to see if it will help. A morning walk across the park will help him burn off some energy before you leave for the day, increasing the likelihood that he will unwind and do nothing while you are gone.
You might wish to download the Wag or Rover apps if you cannot walk your dog frequently throughout the day. These services let pet owners schedule a walk for their dog at any time of the day. A “wag walker” will leash up your pup after you get home, walk him for 30 or 60 minutes, and then bring Fido back home. This is a great way to prevent having to rush home during lunch by keeping your dog busy all day.
4. Provide entertainment
Another method to prevent doggie boredom is to provide Fido with entertainment (read: toys and treats) to keep him occupied. At the same time, you’re gone for the day. You may also make your dog treats by purchasing a tennis ball and cutting a two-inch slice down the side. Before you leave, give Fido the ball with the treats inside via the slice. He’ll stress for hours over removing the treats from the ball.
You could also get a couple of Kong toys from the grocery store, fill them with peanut butter, and freeze them. Because the Kong toys are made with dogs in mind, Fido will be occupied for a sizable length of time, trying to extract every last bit of frozen peanut butter from the Kong.
Leave nothing out for your pet to eat, including rawhide or potentially splintering bones.
5. Use a reinforcement strategy.
When you’re at home with your pup, praise him when he stops barking or shows restraint while looking out the window at the squirrel in the tree. To show Fido how wonderfully he’s performing, pay him some attention and give him some treats. This should encourage better behavior over time, even when you are not present.
6. Instruction
Many dogs respond well to crate training, which includes locking dogs in a room or other small space if they are confined alone in the apartment. You ought to think about the potential of this.
If your pet gets anxious while confined, avoid using a crate and instead consider using a folding Ex-Pen. You can find a variety of reasonably priced pens for about $100. Don’t be fooled by the name: Ex-Pens may be kept anywhere and are incredibly portable, folding into tiny squares.
Suppose you’ve attempted to keep your dog entertained and away from outdoor sights and sounds, but he’s still barking. In that case, you should consider getting expert training. Trainers can stop using additional methods to permanently stop your dog from barking.
7. See a veterinarian
Dogs may bark continuously when you leave for reasons other than the occasional wall bump or stray squirrel. Dogs can exhibit separation anxiety in various intensities, from mild to severe and everything in between. Dogs with separation anxiety might be tough to calm down. After exhausting all other options, it might be time to think about medication if your pup is still grumpy when you reach home.
Never give medication to your pet without first talking to a veterinarian. The dosages given to pets differ from those given to people. No matter how well you think you know your dog, before giving them any medication, you should always consult a vet.
Hire a dog walker.
If you have the money, getting a pet sitter to come once during the day might be the best solution. A much-needed break from potty training, a time to burn off some afternoon energy, and something to look forward to when you get home are all benefits your pup will give.
9. Use specialized collars or stress-relieving equipment.
If your dog is easily anxious, there are many products on the market that can help:
- Anxiety wraps or jackets may be helpful for anxious dogs who bark a lot. Typically, they are made of supple, breathable fabric that provides a calming, steady pressure that relaxes the dog.
- A pheromone that stress-relieving collars release is similar to the pheromones that mother dogs release to calm their puppies. They are typically inexpensive and easy to find.
- Spray collars are an excellent alternative to shock collars since they are relatively safe and effective. When a dog barks, most spray collars work by spritzing a lemon-scented mist on the dog’s face. Dogs don’t like the smell of citrus, so it stops them from barking again.
10. Consult with your neighbors to confirm.
Take the time to personally apologize to your neighbors and let them know you’re looking for a problem because Fido is unlikely to stop barking immediately. Even better, you could get to meet them (together with their dogs) and show them Fido. If you prefer, you can inquire whether any of them would be willing to walk Fido for a charge while you’re at work.
This additional attention and exercise would likely go a long way toward keeping him from barking while you’re away from the house.
Find ways to stop a dog from barking.
Even though dogs are regarded as man’s best friends, owning one nonetheless presents some challenges. It’s tough if they bark while you’re gone; there’s nothing you can do to stop them. However, once you’ve read this list of good tips, you’ll be better equipped with ideas for how to get your dog to stop barking.