Barking no matter how irritating is how your dog communicates. Before you pay that expensive dog trainer or buy that bark collar you need to know the basics of why your dog barks.  You can not just react negatively to your dog’s barking. Like a baby dogs bark because they need our attention or feel the need to warn us of something.  Some breeds bark more than others , but all dogs bark for a reason. Finding the reason will allow you to alter the situation and hopefully stop unwanted barking.

Dogs bark to warn owners and others of intruders. No your dog does not know the difference between a  cat bugler and the mail man.  If the cat burglar is there to steal the cat for real chances are the dog will not bark. In case of the dog barking at guests the best you can do is remove the dog from the area that they can hear someone come to the door.

If you value your dog as a watch dog you may not want to do this. In the case of the mail man or paper boy if they come about the same time everyday , you could simply remove your dog from near the front door and distract them with some other activity. If you’re at work when the dog barks at delivery people of various sorts , unless the neighbors complain , I would just let the situation be. The delivery people being barked at are used to the noise. If your dog is aggressive you need to make sure they have no physical access to the perceived intruders. This means they can not nip the mail man through the mail slots or jump the fence if they are out doors during the day.

Dogs bark if they need to go out. I know many times you will come in from walking the dog only to have the dog want to go out twenty minutes later. Like , humans many dogs can not “take care of business “ on command . Try scheduling feeding times  so that you know you dog will want to go out with a couple of hours of eating and drinking. Don’t just walk your dog to go to the bathroom. Dogs need the exercise and mental stimulation from walks. If you walk your dog for exercise then when you walk them to go to the bathroom they will be more focused on doing their business and pay less attention to your neighbor’s cat.

Some dogs bark because they are lonely and bored. If your dog can not handle being left alone for long periods of time you may want to consider doggie daycare or another companion pet. Of course when you introduce a new pet into the house the dog will bark until they have stopped feeling their space has been invaded. Some breeds are more notorious for barking than others . If you live in an apartment pick a breed that adjusts well to apartment life. Generally , giving your dog a moderate amount of exercise and attention will negate a great deal of the barking your dog does to get attention.