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How to Stop a German Shepherd Barking

German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They are beautiful, intelligent and provide security and devotion for their owners.

That said, they tend to have very strong wills which can cause some training difficulties for pet owners who aren’t skilled in knowing how to train their German Shepherd.

One of the top complaints about this breed is that they have the tendency to develop barking problems. Here are six tips on ways to stop German Shepherd barking, so you and your pet can have a positive, healthy relationship:

Tip 1: Establish Your Alpha Role When Your German Shepherd Is A Puppy

German Shepherd’s are born to be leaders. It is in their nature to protect and defend and, if left untrained, it is quite possible that your dog will consider him or herself to be the alpha of the house. It is very important that as soon as you bring your pup home, you begin training and letting your Shepherd know who is boss. In this way, when ina
Begin working on the basic commands of sit, down, stay, come and be consistent every time. When your German Shepherd puppy gets it right, give your pup high praise and attention. Also, establish your dominance physically by rolling your puppy onto his back when engaged in play, which places your pup in the submissive role.ppropriate barking occurs, you will be able to command your dog to stop barking quickly.

For those who adopt an older German Shepherd, be prepared to educate yourself on training or hire a trainer for assistance. It is easier to teach a puppy that you are the leader in the household versus an older pet.

Tip 2: Teach Your Dog To Speak

It might sound counterproductive, but teaching a German Shepherd to speak helps your dog recognize what barking is. Then you can work on establishing a command to stop.

You can use a word like “stop” or even a hand gesture that is just devoted to being used after the speak

command. Now when your dog is barking on its own, which your pet will recognize as “speak,” you can use this tool to get your German Shepherd to stop barking right away.

Tip 3: Tell Your Dog To Lay Down

German Shepherds and all dogs in general don’t do a lot of barking when lying down. If you’ve trained your dog well early on, even when your pet is excited and barking at another dog or someone who comes to the door, you should be able to get your German Shepherd into the down position, and keep him or her there with the “stay” command.

Tip 4: Is Your Dog Bored?

Dogs bark for many reasons. Though it can annoy neighbors, sometimes a dog barks for a brief period only out of a devotion to protecting your family. Expecting a German Shepherd to continually be quiet is not rational. The goal isn’t to have your pet cease barking forever, it is to be able to tell your dog “ok, thank you for the alert, now relax/quiet.”

Sometimes, however, German Shepherds bark out of boredom. They need a lot of exercise each day, they need mental stimulation, play time and they thrive on attention. A dog that barks at people walking by through the living room window is different than a dog that barks all day when you are out of the home.

When a dog is lonely, anxious or bored, the incessant barking won’t stop unless you change some dynamics in your household. You need to be sure your dog is getting a lot of attention and exercise. Sometimes dogs will keep barking just to get your attention, even if it negative attention.

Tip 5: Make A Few Household Adjustments

If your German Shepherd is well trained, gets plenty of love and attention in addition to daily exercise yet is always on guard, barking at people walking by or a car door slamming, you might find peace simply by changing a few things in the house.

Some soft music or white noise like a fan can drown out outdoor stimuli. Also, consider window coverings if your pet stares out the living room window all day, or keep your pet out of that area of the house during the day. You simply need to identify the problem areas (sound, view) and get creative.

Tip 6: Help You And Your Pet Find The True Problem – Seek A Veterinarian When Necessary

More often than not, if a German Shepherd owner takes time to document when and what makes their dog bark incessantly, they will find a solution. Dogs bark for many reasons, so the first step is in finding out why your dog’s barking is occurring.

If it is because you lack control and command over your dog, you can seek training. If your dog is sensitive to external stimuli, you can minimize your pet’s exposure to sights and sounds. If your dog barks for attention, you need to offer more quality time and exercise.

Sometimes, however, your dog may have a true anxiety problem which is not only hard for you, it is hard for your pet as well. Speak to your veterinarian for assistance in assessing your pet’s condition.

So Therefore German Shepherd’s take a lot of time, training and attention but the end result is that you will have one of the most wonderful and devoted family members you could ever ask for. Though many people turn to bark collars, often they do so as a quick fix.

The problem with these electronic or citronella collars is that they only mask the symptoms, without getting to the root of the barking problem. Take time to understand your German Shepherd’s barking – often, with a little time and effort, it can easily be corrected.

By Michelle L.