When my dog goes outside, he barks. How do I stop this barking?

Here’s what NOT to do. Do not go outside to tell him to be quiet. Do not yell from a window when he is barking and don’t bring him in the house when he is barking. A dog learns that he gets attention or gets to go back inside when he barks. If you only respond sometimes or wait until the barking continues for awhile, you are strengthening the behavior.

When your dog is alone in the backyard, he is not getting exercise because he has no one to play with. He is barking out of boredom. He may be telling you when each leaf falls or if the garbage man is down the street because he has nothing else to do. A dog should never be left tethered or in a fenced yard alone. Let him go potty, play with him, then bring him inside where he will settle much better and sleep safely. If your dog barks excessively, please refer to our Barking Fact Sheet.