How to stop puppy barking for attention

Do you have a bossy dog that rules the roost? You know the kind of dog we’re talking about: She manipulates you and the situation, to her favor. She paws, whines, stares, nips, growls, and barks you into submission, giving her whatever she’s seeking, which often is attention. We call this “demand barking” and as long as you let her, she’ll keep doing it.

Yep, sadly, your dog has picked up these negative behaviors from you. Any time you give her attention when she’s misbehaving, you reinforce the action to continue. The good news is there are a few things you can do to change this situation into one where you’re in control and your dog’s okay being second-fiddle. Here’s what you need to know.

The advice on these pages is intended for adult dogs and younger dogs at least six months and older. Puppies take a special kind of patience, and using some of the training techniques here can backfire on them by scaring them.

What is Demand Barking?

Demand barking is just that, your dog barks until you give in to what she wants. The moment you cave to your dog’s initial round of demand barking is the minute she’ll begin using it to ensure she gets her way with everything. Next thing you know, your dog is barking as a means of meeting all of her needs, with your help, of course.

How Can I Stop My Dog Barking for Attention?

Because you’ve reinforced your dog’s behavior, she’s now barking all the time for attention and probably driving you crazy. While it’s easiest to stop demand barking early on before it becomes obnoxious, there are a few tips you can try to curb this behavior if it has already gotten out of control.

You can ignore your dog’s demand barking

Many dog owners and dog care professionals would agree, ignoring your dog’s barking is very difficult. Don’t be fooled; your dog can bark a long time. Her barking may even get louder (similar to a child throwing a tantrum, they go all out to make sure they get their point across before giving up the battle).

To be effective, you will have to ignore your dog until she calms down and is quiet for at least a few seconds. At that point, you can give her praise, attention, treat, or a toy. Repeat this process every time she starts barking for attention. At any point you give her attention before she calms down you’re back to square one.

Take note, you may want to warn your neighbors (if they live relatively close to your house) that you are training your dog, so hopefully, they don’t call authorities on you when your dog starts another round of demand barking.

Train your dog the first time she demand barks

If your dog is a puppy and new to the family, she may not have started her demand barking quite yet, but it will happen sooner than later, usually during playtime. Here’s your chance to prepare.

Nipping this type of behavior in the bud EARLY is the key to a blissful doggie household.

How to Stop Your Dog’s Frustration Barking

Frustration barking is an excited bark that indicates your dog is stressed-out, confused about what you want her to do, can’t access playmates, or is confined in some manner, and her movement is restricted.

If you’re not sure why your dog is barking all the time, check out our post on the seven reasons dogs bark.

Increase the amount of your dog’s exercise

If your dog gets exercise every day and still barks out of frustration, up the amount and change the type of activity she gets. For example: if you routinely take your pet for a walk once a day, add in some tug-of-war or fetch in the afternoon. A tired dog won’t have the energy to bark endlessly.

Never yell at your dog in reaction to her barking

It’s tough listening to a dog bark for what seems like forever and not react. However, regardless of why she’s barking, your response should never be to yell at your dog. She might think you’re barking along with her, which can cause her to bark more.

Find a companion for your dog

If your dog is continuously barking in the hope of playing with the neighbor’s dog, you might want to entertain the idea of bringing another animal into your family. With a companion in the home, your first dog may be content and curb her frustration barking.

Use an ultrasonic bark training tool

An alternative to the ignore-reward method of training a dog to stop barking is using an ultrasonic training device, like our signature product, The BarxBuddy. The device is designed to interrupt a barking dog, so you can issue a correcting command.

For More Advice on Dog Training

Learn more about the BarxBuddy ultrasonic training tool, which is designed to help you stop unwanted behaviors from your dog using a humane, safe and effective training device.

Explore our dog blog and learn more about training, grooming and other pet-related topics, and browse our shop, which contains innovative pet products hand-selected by our team.

Attention seeking barking means your dog barks for your attention, and we’ve all been there (very big grin). Let’s roll up our sleeves and get clicking to fix this behavior!

Attention seeking barking is quite common. When a dog barks, we look away from the TV, computer screen or visitor and look at the dog. Your dog just learned how to get your attention! And yes, just by looking at your dog, you can reinforce his barking. It’s very hard for people to ignore a loud sound, especially a barking dog, because it’s instinctual to look toward the sound.

Instead, try:

• Reward your dog when he is quietly laying at your feet, enjoying a chew toy or being calm and quiet.
• When he barks, ignore him. Don’t look at him or laugh (yes, laughter is reinforcing too). 🙂
• When your dog is quiet, turn toward him and reward with treats and cuddles.

The Barking Will Get Worse

So you just tried ignoring your dog when he barks and it’s worse! Ah, brace yourself, this can happen. This means you’re making progress — happy dance! If your dog’s been practicing attention seeking barking for a long time, the barking will get worse before it gets better. We call it extinction bursts, and this is very normal. 🙂

Classic Example of a Barking Dog Extinction Burst:

• Your dog barks.
• You ignore your dog.
• Dog barks louder and longer. He keeps getting louder, louder and louder. Ride it out. Your dog is learning that attention seeking barking is ignored.

Whatever you do, please continue to ignore your dog even when barking is at its worse. If, accidentally, you glance at your dog while an extinction burst is happening, your dog will think, “I need to scream for 10 minutes while standing 2 inches from my owner’s nose. Then, he can hear me.” He needs to learn any type of vocalization does not work. Only when he is quiet does he have your undivided attention. I recommend walking away when your dog starts barking. This way you will not accidentally glance at him. 🙂

Don’t Give Up

Many pet parents, especially those in the beginning of the “no barking” process, are concerned their dogs’ barking never ends. However within a few minutes, you’ll witness the power of positive training. Trust me, these methods work. 🙂

It’s physically impossible for a dog to bark and breath at the same time even if your dog learns to breath fast in between barks. 🙂 All barking dogs must take a breath, which means they are quiet for a nano-second. Reward! Your dog will learn that barking does not pay, but it is ignored. When your dog is quiet, he gets attention and treats — woot woot!

Some pet parents are concerned they will inadvertently teach their dogs to bark instead of quiet when using this training method. I promise, if your timing is spot on, your dog will totally understand that barking does not pay, but quiet behavior does!

How do you know if your timing is off? Your dog’s barking will get worse. Or he’ll bark and look at you, which means you’ve accidentally rewarded barking (we can fix this, don’t worry!). Plus, if your dog will bark a few times then look at you while not barking, take advantage! Instead of clicking the moment he is quiet, wait for your dog to be quiet for one second, then click/treat. Continue until your dog is quiet for longer periods of time. 🙂

If you’re not using a clicker, I would add this into the mix because the click sound is much faster than our voice or showing our dog a treat. Learn more about clicker training at Clicker Training Tips.

RELATED: Clicker Training for Dogs

You Can Stop Your Dog’s Barking Forever

Yes. If you continue to practice the behavior of ignoring him when he’s been vocal, then reward for quiet. This is a new skill for both of you, but I promise it’s worth it.

It’s your turn. Bark back! Add your questions about attention seeking barking in the comment section below. 🙂

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Dog Barking
Dog Barking at Sounds
Request Dog Barking
Stop Dog Barking Next Door