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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

Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH
Veterinarian
Published on September 3rd, 2017
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
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.
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