First, define why your dog is barking. This will help you address the underlying cause rather than just reacting to the barking when it happens. If barking is due to anxiety or fear, connect with a certified professional trainer and your veterinarian to begin treatment.
If your dog is barking due to boredom, think about what kind of mental enrichment you can add to their daily routine. Ditch the food bowl and work their brains with a food puzzle for meals. Sign up for a fun training class to burn excess energy and encourage more relaxation and quiet when your dog hangs out at home.
If your dog is demanding to bark, you’ll also want to explore mental enrichment and exercise throughout the day. Take note of what they are demanding, when they tend to demand bark, and how you react. Does their bark make you respond in any way? This can include looking at them, touching or petting them, or talking to them — even if it’s with reprimands. All your dog learns is barking gets your attention!
If you think your dog is about to demand a bark, be proactive and ask them for an alternative and appropriate behavior, such as a sit or a touch. Reward them with what they wanted in the first place, attention, or play. If you’re busy and can’t interact with them, redirect their attention to an appropriate activity that they can enjoy on their own. Another option is teaching your dog that barking at you for attention has the opposite effect — it makes you go away. If your dog barks, turn your back, walk away, or leave the room entirely. Pair this with teaching them politer ways of asking for your attention.