3 Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make When Dealing with Barking (and How to Fix Them)

All dogs bark—whether they’re energetic puppies or senior companions. While barking can be frustrating, especially when we can’t simply tell them that everything is okay, it’s important to remember that barking is a natural behaviour. To help our dogs manage this, it's critical to understand the reasons behind their barking and avoid common mistakes.

Every dog is unique, and the way we handle excessive barking should reflect their individual personalities and environments. To get started, here are three common mistakes to avoid when addressing your dog’s barking:

1. Telling Your Dog “No”

It's easy to assume that a firm “No” will stop unwanted barking. However, barking is often your dog's way of communicating anxiety, excitement, or frustration. When you tell your dog "No," without offering a solution or alternate behaviour/way to resolve their emotions, dogs won't understand how to make the situation better. Over time, they may start ignoring you because the cue ultimately does not address their needs. You can think of it as if you phoned your best friend, telling them about the challenging day you just had at work and their response was "Stop right away" and hung up the phone. As opposed to "Is there anything I can do to help?" and continued engaging with you in conversation, helping you express how you're feeling.

Instead of saying No, try focusing on redirection. For example, if your dog is barking at the doorbell, redirect their attention with a fun cue they enjoy—like "spin!", "jump" or "Where's the ball?!". Once your dog is calm or feeling like themselves once again, praise them! The goal is to teach your dog an alternative behaviour that you're both happier with, allowing them to feel more in control of their emotions and the options they have.

2. Using a Spray Bottle or Shaking a Can of Coins

Many pet parents turn to methods like spraying their dog with water or shaking a can of coins to stop the barking. These techniques may 'work' in the moment but fail to address the root cause of the behaviour. Even worse, they can create permanent, long-lasting negative associations, potentially damaging your relationship with your dog along the process. Your dog might quiet down for that moment (or sometimes indefinitely), but they are likely doing so out of fear or confusion, not understanding what they should do instead and ultimately even shutting down, feeling like they expressing themselves to you leads to the most negative of emotions.

A more effective approach is to use positive reinforcement. If your dog stops barking, immediately reward them with treats, praise, or their favourite toy. Over time, they will learn that being calm results in good things and will start offering this behaviour naturally and more rapidly.

3. Punishing or Using a Crate as Time-Outs

Crates should be a safe space for your dog—a place of rest and comfort. Using a crate as punishment for barking teaches your dog to associate this safe space with negative experiences, reducing its value as a calming and relaxing environment (that they could potentially choose to go in, instead of barking). Punishment-based devices like prong collars or e-collars can also escalate stress and anxiety, which can worsen barking in the long run, as well as encourage other unwanted behaviours as your dog does their best at finding some form of relief for their feelings.

Instead, try creating a calm environment that encourages your dog to self-regulate what they're feeling there and then. If your dog is barking out of stress or fear, guide them to a quieter area of the house or away from the trigger and spend some time with them. Perhaps try playing a game, or getting their nose and ears to focus on a more engaging, rewarding and calming activity like snuffling. Once they’ve calmed down, reward them for their new behaviour and feelings. This reinforces their ability to make better choices without relying on punishment.

It's okay if you’ve made these mistakes in the past—we all have! The great thing about dogs is their resilience and willingness to forgive. When we know better, we can do better, and that benefits both our dogs and ourselves. So, next time your dog starts barking, instead of reacting out of frustration, take a moment to breathe. Focus on guiding them toward a better response. Whether it's helping them feel safe or offering a positive alternative, every little step builds trust and strengthens your bond.