Puppies are naturally vocal, but excessive barking can quickly become a frustrating issue for you. Understanding why your puppy is barking and how to guide them toward calm behavior is key. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Puppies Bark So Much & How to Stop

They’re still learning how to communicate.

Barking is one of the primary ways puppies express their needs, excitement, or discomfort. Since they haven’t yet learned more appropriate ways to communicate, they rely on barking more often than adult dogs. This phase is temporary, but it needs proper guidance to prevent bad habits.

They’re easily overstimulated.

Puppies are curious and reactive, especially to new sounds, movements, or changes in routine. A knock at the door, the sound of a vacuum, or even your arrival home can trigger excited barking. Unlike older dogs, they have a harder time calming themselves down afterward.

How to stop puppy barking in 3 steps

1. Use the quiet command: Wait for a moment when your puppy is barking, then say “quiet” in a calm, clear voice. As soon as they stop barking, even for a second, reward them with a treat and praise. Repeat this consistently until they learn that silence brings rewards.
2. Prevent boredom barking: Make sure your puppy gets enough exercise, enrichment, and playtime throughout the day. Rotate toys, add short training sessions, and use food puzzles to keep their brain busy and reduce barking out of frustration or restlessness.
3. Redirect and reinforce calm: If your puppy starts barking for attention, avoid yelling or giving in. Instead, ask for a known behavior like “sit” or “down,” and reward once they comply quietly. Stay calm and consistent to show them what works.

These steps will help stop your puppy from barking, but it’s important to remember this behavior is often a sign of deeper issues such as anxiety, lack of impulse control, or even overstimulation.

And until any of these root issues are addressed directly, they’ll continue to grow and cause trouble in other areas.

“Okay, so how do I do that then?”

By developing your dog’s intelligence, that’s how! When they get the mental stimulation they desperately need in a loving, fun, and instructional way, all their behavioral problems start to disappear fast.

To make this happen, you’ll play 21 “brain” games created by Adrienne, a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer whose work has been featured in USA Today and Every Dog magazine. See her amazing results in this video with a dog named Maggie (scroll down).

Adrienne’s training games will end bad behavior while also teaching your dog to sit, lie down, stay, heel, drop, and walk calmly by your side. It’s simple, and it will be an absolute blast for you both. She explains exactly how her system works here, go take a look!

What Not to Do When Your Puppy Barks

Don’t yell at your puppy to stop.

Raising your voice may seem like a quick fix, but it often makes the barking worse. Puppies might think you’re barking back or get more riled up by the noise. Calm correction works better than loud frustration.

Don’t give attention for barking.

If your puppy barks and you immediately pet, soothe, or talk to them, you’re unintentionally reinforcing the behavior. Even negative attention can make barking more likely if the puppy learns it gets a reaction. Wait for quiet before engaging.

Don’t expect overnight results.

Barking is a habit that takes time to change, especially in young dogs. Stay consistent with your training, rewards, and expectations. Progress can take days or even weeks depending on your pup’s age and temperament.

Common Triggers for Barking in Puppies

They hear unfamiliar noises.

Puppies often react strongly to strange sounds like doorbells, footsteps, or other dogs barking outside. These are instinctive responses that need gentle desensitization and training. The more experiences your puppy has, the better they’ll learn to filter out distractions.

They bark during crate training.

If your puppy barks in their crate, it’s usually from frustration, boredom, or wanting attention. Make sure the crate is cozy, use positive reinforcement when they’re quiet, and avoid letting them out mid-bark. Timing is key to teaching calm crate behavior.

They bark when left alone.

Separation-related barking is common in puppies who haven’t yet built confidence alone. Use short absences and gradual build-ups, paired with enrichment toys and calm exits, to reduce anxiety-based barking over time.

Puppy Barking FAQs

Is it normal for puppies to bark this much?

Yes, barking is a natural part of development. Most puppies bark more than adult dogs because they’re still learning how the world works and how to get their needs met. With training, consistency, and time, the barking will usually decrease.

Should I ignore my puppy when they bark?

It depends on why they are barking. Attention-seeking barking should be ignored until they are quiet, at which point you can reward calm. But if they are barking out of fear or confusion, you’ll want to address the root cause, not ignore it entirely.

Is it okay to let my puppy bark it out sometimes?

It depends on the situation. Briefly ignoring barking that’s clearly for attention can help teach your puppy that it doesn’t work. But if the barking is due to fear, anxiety, or confusion, letting them bark it out can actually make things worse. It’s better to identify the cause and respond with calm, consistent training.

Conclusion

With time, patience, and a bit of strategy, you can teach your puppy to bark less and listen more. It’s all part of raising a happy, well-adjusted dog. Enjoy!

P.S. Be sure to pin this so you can refer back to the 3 steps!