When Barking Means More

Sometimes barking won't respond to any training, and that's a signal in itself. Relentless barking can point to separation anxiety, hidden pain, or the confusion of cognitive decline in an older dog.

Whatever you do, don't yell "quiet" at a barking dog. To your dog, a raised voice sounds like you've joined the alarm — now you're both barking, just in different languages. You've rewarded the very thing you're trying to stop. A low, even "quiet" backed by a treat lure is what actually lands.