How to Stop a Dog from Yapping
- 1). Praise your dog if he barked for a good reason. For example, you may want him to bark when someone approaches the front door. Hearing "Good boy" will encourage him to bark in similar situations.
- 2). Tell your dog immediately to stop barking. Pick a one-syllable command like "Stop" or "Shush" and use it consistently.
- 3). Hold a treat in front of your dog's nose. He will likely stop barking to sniff it. Give him the treat if he stops barking for three seconds.
- 4). Increase the amount of time you require your dog to stop barking before you give him the treat. Add a few seconds to the time until he stops barking for a full minute before you give him the treat. This will help him understand why you're rewarding him.
- 5). Give your dog a toy to occupy him if he barks when you're away from home. He may be barking because he's bored.
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