You just want to record a cute video of your pup, but they won’t stop barking at the camera! Why do they do this? Why does your dog bark at the camera? Are they scared of something? Why are dogs afraid of cameras? Do dogs understand cameras?

Today, we will answer every question you have about this obnoxious issue. We’ll also cover what you really came here for: how to stop your dog barking when recording. It won’t be long until you’ll be able to take all the videos you want! Continue reading below for our article “Dog Barks at Camera? Here’s What to Do!!

How Do I Stop My Dog From Barking When Recording?

To stop your dog from barking when recording:

1. Teach your dog the “quiet” command to use whenever they bark at the camera or at any other time you need them to pay attention and be silent.
2. Practice by taking your dog to a place you know they’ll want to bark like the park with plenty of treats.
3. When your dog starts to bark, say “quiet” in a calm and positive voice. If they listen to you and become silent while also giving you their full attention give them praise and a treat right away.
4. But if your dog keeps barking or soon starts back up, then hide a small treat within your fist.
5. Put your fist right by your dog’s nose. They’ll still be able to pick up the scent even within your fist and will stop barking to sniff it.
6. As soon as they’ve quit barking and are paying attention to you, again say “quiet,” and then open your hand to give them praise and a treat.
7. If they continue to be silent and are giving you their full focus, continue rewarding them with treats and praise.
8. But if they again start to bark or are not paying attention, repeat the steps of placing a treat inside of your fist, placing it next to their nose, and waiting until they stop their barking and focus on you.
9. Make sure to always pause until they’ve stopped barking and are giving you all their focus, and then say “quiet” before you reward them with any praise or treats.
10. This creates a positive connection with your dog with the “quiet” command, and with staying silent and giving you their full attention.
11. With time, practice, and patience, you will be able to get them to behave with only the “quiet” command, and it will no longer be necessary to put your hand by their mouth.
12. When your dog is responding well with just the command, then you should begin lengthening the amount of time you wait before you give them any rewards.
13. Start by pausing for about 2 seconds, then as they do well move that up to 5 seconds, and so on.
14. Before long, it will no longer be necessary to give your dog any praise and food, and they will be quiet and give you their attention just by you giving the command.

But you’ll still need to do something about the root problem that was causing all of this disobedience to begin with, which is your dog’s feelings of anxiety. Letting this continue will just lead to your dog’s issue growing and escalating into other behavioral problems.

To properly address that, we must first discuss what makes dogs tick deep down. You’ve likely heard before that dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader.

But when your dog barks at the camera, they are clearly proving to you that they don’t trust you in this leadership role.

If they did, they wouldn’t bark when you’re recording and then ignore you when you tell them to quit. They wouldn’t engage in any other types of anxiety-related misbehavior or disrespect. And they would immediately obey your commands at all times, and they would do so happily.

Show your dog that you are not just their pack leader, but a deserving and capable one who they must respect, and you’ll make all of these wonderful changes your reality.

You’ll win for obvious reasons. But your dog will be the real winner here because they’ll no longer have to deal with all of the confusion and worry that their anxiety issues are currently burdening them with every single second of every single day.

Sounds like a great thing, don’t you agree?

“Yes, absolutely, but how do I do any of this?”

You should watch a tremendous free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is on this very subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In Dan’s series, he explains all you’ll need to know in ways that are very simple to follow and teach to your own dog, and he gets immediately to the point so that you can start seeing these critical changes in your dog in no time.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t worry, because no, you’re not going to have to be mean or yell at your dog. Dan uses only 100% humane and loving teaching methods at all times. Not just because they’re the right thing to do, but also because they’re the fastest way to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.

Why Does My Dog Bark at the Camera?

Your dog barks at the camera because the process of having their picture taken or being recorded can be intimidating, which makes them feel anxious. Cameras can also make loud sounds when the zoom is adjusting, which can also be confusing and stressful to dogs. Some dogs will then choose to respond to these worries by barking.

It’s also possible that they could be barking at the person taking the picture or recording the video if they are unfamiliar to your dog. Even if it’s someone known, they can look very different and strange when they have a large electronic device covering up their face and making weird noises. Remember that while it may seem quiet to you, dogs have sensitive hearing.

If your dog is barking at the camera and then not listening when told to stop, however, is when you actually have a problem on your hands. It’s not unusual for dogs to bark in this situation, but they absolutely must respond and act accordingly when instructed to be quiet. Not doing so is a clear sign of disrespect.

Allowing this type of disobedience to continue will give your dog the idea that their behavior is acceptable. They will then begin acting this way more frequently in a wider range of areas, and likely also in a worse, harder to control, and more aggressive manner.

You’ll see your dog is barking at the television, barking to demand breakfast, and barking when told no. If you try to take them on vacation, they’ll bark in your hotel room and bark while you’re at the beach. Practically anywhere, anything, and anyone could become a target.

You can obviously see how frustrating this could make life for you and those that you encounter. To learn how to stop your dog from barking at the camera and also in any other situation, go back to the first section now where we have step-by-step instructions for you to follow.

Why Are Dogs Afraid of Cameras?

Dogs are afraid of cameras because they are strange and confusing, and the whole undertaking of having their picture taken can be intimidating. They don’t understand what’s going on or why they’re being told to sit still and stare seemingly at nothing. The zoom on many cameras can also sound very loud to your dog.

Remember that things that are very simple and part of everyday life to you are often completely foreign and unable to be understood by your dog. Being held in place when they’re feeling worried only makes things worse for many dogs in these times. Try your best to be reassuring and give your dog treats to keep them calm while you get them to look at the camera.

Do Dogs Understand Cameras?

Dogs do not understand cameras. To them, they’re being asked to stare off in a direction for no reason at all. Dogs do not get what is going on, or why they’re having to do this which makes them feel anxious and stressed. This makes it even harder for them to pay attention to the loud, strange object that they don’t quite get.

I’m sure you’re sick of not being able to record your dog, so I’ll let you get started on things now. Best of luck with everything, and thank you for reading our article “Dog Barks at Camera? Here’s What to Do!”