How To Stop My Dog Barking?

by Lucero
(United States)

Hello, I have a small question. I recently adopted a 5 year old cocker spaniel but when someone like Mom or Dad comes into my room she will bark a lot and I don't know how to control her.

I'd like her to stop barking at my family, can you please help?

Thank you!

Reply From Pauline (Web Owner)

Hi Lucero,

You'll find lots of advice on this website to help you with your dog's problem, but first of all, I recommend you read this article about barking. It gives links to other pages about barking dogs, why they bark and what you can do to stop them from barking.

Basically, before taking steps to stopping your dog barking, you first need to understand exactly why she's barking.

As a very simple example, if she's hungry and hasn't been fed, she will pester you to feed her and if you don't she will eventually bark to let you know she's hungry.

When you feed her, she will probably stop barking because she's got what she wanted and is now content, but if you throw her a toy instead of feeding her, she'll probably continue to bark until she's fed.

So you can see why it's important to work out why she's barking.

It's difficult for me to help you as I don't know your dog, you or your family, however, if your dog is kept with you, and/or in your room, for most of the time, it may be that she's being territorial. She may be trying to protect 'her' room, and you, from your parents or any other person wanting to come into your room.

If your dog is 'guarding', I would recommend that she's kept out of your room for a little while, during which time your family should increase the amount of contact they have with her, for example, let other members of your family walk her, feed her, play with her, and groom her, etc. - I think your family need to bond more with your dog.

At the same time, I recommend that you decrease the amount of time you spend alone with her.

If this situation is left untreated, your dog may progress to biting someone, so please help her to join in more with the family.

Hope this helps, and if you have any questions, just drop me a line.