How to stop my dog from barking for attention every morning?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 6 months and 12 days old
My dog barks on a morning to wake us up. He doesn't need to go to the toilet, when I come down he just lays down. How do I get him to stop barking on a morning?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 3rd, 2017
Hi and thank you for posting your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Right now, it seems like he barks and coming downstairs may actually be rewarding the barking behavior. He has learned that barking will bring you downstairs. To combat this behavior, you may want to try the following: When your dog begins to bark in the morning, do not walk downstairs until he is quiet. This may take some patience. Once you are downstairs, reward with praise and a treat he really really likes. Do this several days in a row and he will learn to be quiet in the morning and that barking does not lead to you coming downstairs. As a rule of thumb in training, always reward desired behavior and ignore undesirable behavior. I hope this has helped and best of luck to you and Ziggy.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on May 20th, 2017
There may be something going on in the surrounding are that you aren't aware of that triggers these barking episodes, another dog somewhere that gets let out about that time, a noisy car or door, or some other activity that sets him off. If it is a problem, you can keep him confined during those hours, investigate further and see if you can figure out why he's barking. To try and break him of the habit, one of the best methods I've found is a two-part trick. First, even though it sounds counter-productive, you have to teach him the 'speak' command. Ask him to 'speak', when he does, immediately give him a reward, a treat or training toy, whatever motivates him. When he does that reliably, the next step is 'quiet'. When he barks and you tell him 'shh' or 'quiet' (it doesn't matter what you use,just pick one and be consistent), the second he stops barking, even if it's just to take a breath, give him a reward. Repeat this until he does it consistently. This should help distract him from barking at any time you want him to be quiet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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