I WANT TO HELP MY DOG WITH

BARKING WHEN STRESSED

How to help your dog when barking due to fear

  1. Understand your dog

    • There are many reasons why your dog may be barking, which could include boredom or fear.
    • Try to understand the situations your dog is barking in and whether it is when they are affected by something that stresses them, for example, being left home alone, or when meeting dogs they do not know on a walk.
    • Seek advice from accredited behaviourist / dog trainer who can assist you with the specific situation that concerns your dog.

  2. Use a calming ThunderShirt!

    • ThunderShirt is a calming jacket that helps your pup feel calmer when faced by challenging situations which has resulted in them barking.
    • ThunderShirt patented design provides a calming effect by applying a gentle, constant pressure.
    • 1,000,000+ dogs have already been helped – yours could be next!

  3. Use positive reinforcement dog training

    • Always avoid punishing your dog for barking – punishment could actually increase their barking, lead your dog to show undesirable behaviour and affects the bond you have.
    • You’ll have better results with positive reinforcement, using treats and rewards when your dog does the things you want them to!

  4. Keep active!

    • Physical activities like walking or playing fetch help both you and your dog release tension. But it's important not to put your dog into a situation that may cause them stress.
    • Don’t forget to keep your dog mentally active too. Activity feeders, chews, games and training all work your dog’s brain!

We recommend:

To wrap around your dog's body for immediate calming effect

TESTIMONIALS

See how ThunderShirt helped these Dogs:

How ThunderShirt helped Lauren's dog Luna
Anxiety ThunderShirt Training

How ThunderShirt helped Lauren's dog Luna

Luna was really struggling on dog walks so I decided to buy a Thundershirt. That really improved her walking experience and life as a whole really! My name is...
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ThunderShirt Calming Wrap

Tips to help your dog with stress-related barking

Barking is an important communication tool for our canine companions from puppyhood to seniors. They bark to express themselves, either to other dogs or to humans. As such, several things can cause your dog to bark, but when your dog barks excessively or in certain situations it often indicates an underlying issue. This can be frustrating for you (and maybe your neighbours), but rest assured you are not alone! We’ve shared some tips below to help your dog to refrain from barking during stressful events.

Find out why your dog is barking so much.

Try to identify what makes your dog bark excessively. If it's unclear, write it down and keep a diary, this could help identify. You may then find a way to remove this trigger if possible.

Never punish your dog. It will have the reverse effects and make them feel even more stressed.

Ask your accredited dog trainer / behaviourist for advice to manage barking due to fear

Your dog is stressed and with training (usually desensitisation and counterconditioning) they can learn to manage their fear and respond in a different way.

Your dog may bark for many other reasons than being stressed:

  • Boredom - offer activities to mentally stimulate your dog, such as training sessions, puzzle feeders
  • Over-excitement - speak to your expert for ways to redirect their excitement

ThunderShirt, calming vest N°1 in the US is recommended by dog trainers. It will help your dog feel calm and relaxed when they are in challenging situations.

Try spending peaceful times with your dog (maybe a movie or listen to music) as your dog picks up on how you are feeling.

You being relaxed it going to help your dog relax. Be prepared for the stressful situation as much as possible e.g. ensure you have lots of treats, be able to move away from the situation. Work on it all correctly and your dog will be more interested in listening to you and will focus more on your bond instead of worrying.

Our Dog Trainer's tip: "Spend time with your dog, it's a great way to relieve stress!"

If your dog continues to bark in stressful situations, contact your vet for additional assistance. There may be an underlying medical reason for their barking and your vet can also direct you to a qualified behaviour expert.