What tricks do you use to stop your dogs from barking?

[Soubriquet]

I have to stay in my bed 90% of the time. So I’m upstairs. My partner is downstairs with the dogs and she shouts them in everytime they start barking but it does get tedious.

Next door has a dog (actually both sides do but this one is worse) and they will bark at that dog who will bark back.

I’ve started to lean out of my bedroom window and throw water at my dogs. They shut up very quickly and race inside. In fact, they only need to see the cup now before immediately moving.

What tricks do you use?

I whistle once. If they don’t come immediately they don’t get a biscuit. They fight to be first - as the first dog back sometimes gets two biscuits rather than one.

Ddog doesn't bark in the garden at all but she does bark at the front door when she sees people and cars moving through the frosted glass. I tell her quiet, and 80% of the time she stops so she gets a treat occasionally for stopping. If she doesn't stop, I tell her away and she isn't allowed to stay at her preferred spot by the front door as I close the door and block her access. Probably once a day she gets sent away from the door as she forgets herself but she sits quietly then once she's allowed back.

If I did the biscuit thing, they would bark deliberately just to get one. They love their treats. Little twats

Yes this is what our dog does. We moved house earlier in the year and now have a barky dog neighbour. Ddog likes to charge down the garden (snorting like a pig) then barks. She then looks at me as if she is waiting for me to shout "biscuit!".

Little sod, she now won't do anything without bribery. It's like having a toddler again

I think you need to identify why they are barking. Often it’s because they are bored. What exercise and stimulation are they getting?

Why are they barking? Work that out and work on the cause. Could be fear, frustration, boredom, excitement, tiredness - you name it.

My newer rescue boy is a barker. The dogs either side of me like a bark too which starts him off! When he starts, he gets a firm No, if he does it again he gets put out of the room and ignored for a bit. He’s slowly learning.

Hire a trainer sounds like you need professional support .

Do not throw water or shout at dogs

I certainly wouldn't be chucking water at my dogs - you don't want dogs who are fearful of water, or dogs who associate being scared with whatever they're barking at.

My dog was taught the quiet command - it's not always successful (he's a beagle) but it works the majority of the time. If he barks in the garden he gets called inside.

Wait for whatever sets them off, they begin to bark you say "thank you" give them a treat. Be consistent about it.

Soon they will come to you when they hear the noise that sets them off rather than bark. Dogs usually get it pretty quickly.