Extinction for Demand Barking

Demand barking survives on attention. Even negative attention ("stop barking!") rewards it, because the dog still got a response. The fix is total extinction — zero response to barking.

The Extinction Burst

When demand barking stops working, some dogs bark harder for a while before giving up. This is called an extinction burst, and it is possible, not guaranteed. It is less likely when you also teach an alternative behavior that earns attention.

If it happens, stay consistent: responding during the spike teaches the dog that bigger barking eventually works. If the barking escalates toward panic, fear, or aggression, stop and get professional help rather than trying to outlast it.