I have a two and a half year old chocolate lab, he has a wonderful coat beautiful markings he is potty trained but he barks, and barks, and barks, and barks some more. It has gotten better over the past few months but now he has started up again. We think that he may have separation anxiety (but not full-blown) he has a sister who is a year younger than him but she seems unaffected by his barking (unlike me) and she will even sleep or walk around while he barks his head off! She only barks when she hears something or someone is in the yard. We bought a Bark-Off! And it worked for about a week and then I guess he got used to it or barked over the sound. He usually doesn't bark constantly while I'm not home (He does bark but just maybe half as much as he does as when I'm home) and when I come home and go into the house he won't stop barking! I try calling out to him nicely or telling him it's OK and I'll be out soon, but usually that makes him bark harder! I feel bad doing it, but sometimes I have to yell out to the kennel in a deep voice to get him to be quiet. Please help me stop the insanity!

Uggg barking dogs! I feel your pain. There is nothing more nerve grating then an incessant barker.

When you call out to him in a nice voice and praise him, he is getting rewarded for what he is doing, naturally he will continue to do so to get the reaction he wants. Typical behavior for separation anxiety. You should be rewarding the silence. If it takes you getting your grump on to get him quiet, do so. Saying "NO" in a firm voice is a good thing to do. But now that he is silent, make sure to praise this behavior. Leave the room and close the door. When he barks, say "NO" followed by "NO BARK", wait a few seconds at first and then open the door and greet him with a small treat and praise. Continue doing this until he is comfortable with no barking for 5-10 seconds. Then start increasing the quiet time you expect from him.

The key here is to use the command "no bark" with his silence. As he starts to understand he gets a better reward from not barking, you can use this command in other situations as well.

Some dogs use barking as a way to sooth their anxious feelings. Some dogs do it out of loneliness. They may need exercise or just some company. A great way to stop a barking dog, is to make them too tired to bark. Make sure they are getting lots of exercise and play time. Also remember, when you are using your firm "no's" and "no bark's" to not shout, this can make an anxious dog more on edge. Having your dog learn simple commands like lay, stay and sit lets them shift their focus to something else. A dog who knows a lot of commands is a happy dog. Most dogs like having a job to do.

Hope some of this helps!

Good luck and please do keep us posted.

I don't have much to add to Bellas post. I just have to say, I have a lab, and they are barkers.

Exercise is very important. Tire him out, like Bella said.

Praise when quiet is also great advice.

One thing we did for our barker, but for us it wasn't separation anxiety, just a need to bark, was to rent a citronella spray collar. It sprays the dog in the face when he barks. It's not harmful, and dogs hate the smell. It's very effective. Renting is cheaper then buying, and many stores will rent them on a month to month basis.

Just something to consider.

The best course is to train him not to bark, but sometimes an additional tool can help speed things along.

Good luck. :)

Thanks, I've never heard of that collar before but I will look into it! We have tried tiring him out usually with the ride-on lawnmower! He will walk behind it and occasionally go swimming in the creek to cool down. I have also used my go-kart. It worked really well because I could go faster than him! The only problem was that he kept gettingin the way!

Thanks Everyone! I'll continue trying different methods!:)

Skip both the mower and the go kart and go for more swimming and try out those new kicks, walking and running are great for both you and your dog.

I agree with all...

Barking dogs are very tough to break. The ultrasonic beep doesn't work in the least bit... especially with stubborn dogs. Citronella does work wonders. It even stops the whinning.

Exercise will help him tons. Tired dogs are happy dogs. Run him until he falls over from exhaustion. Labs are very athletic dogs and don't do well when bored. Get him in obedience. Even if he knows sit and stay, the change of routine will be enough to redirect his barking problem. Do an obedience class that is a bit abnormal, like agility. Agility will exercise his body and his mind.. and it'll really boost your bond with him.

Is he neutered? Un-altered dogs are very obnxious. Unless he is worthy of producing, he should be fixed.. and by worthy, I mean he should be completely sound of body and mind and has some type of working title on his name... Lineage papers aren't enough.

As already stated.. every time you yell at him, he is getting rewarded.. In doggy language, you are barking along with him and isn't it fun!