• I need exercise.
• I’m bored.
• I need to go outside.
• I hear something.
• I'm home alone.
• Pay attention to me right now!

How to solve the problem
If you think your dog needs something like exercise or water in his bowl, call him to you. Have him sit, praise him and only then do what needs doing; otherwise you’ll be rewarding barking, which can lead to more barking. If your dog or puppy’s needs are met and he’s just barking to bark, try this:

• Start by saying “quiet” in a calm but firm tone.
• If he stops barking, praise him and give him a treat, preferably a kibble of his food. Good dog!
• If he does not stop barking (and many dogs won’t at first), clip his leash on and call him to you. Back away from whatever he is barking at and keep calling until he focuses on you. Good dog! Now praise and offer a food reward.
• You can also try a mild aversion like a stream of water from a plant mister. If your dog is barking at the window, say ‘quiet,’ spray your dog (who should stop in surprise), call him to you and praise him. Obviously, this may not be effective with water dogs like Labradors.
• After he looks at you and gets rewarded, have him sit or down (calmly help him obey if you need to) then offer more praise! A dog who learns to stop barking, come to you and lie down is a pretty easy dog to live with and that’s a fine goal to work toward.
• Leave a radio on for your dog if he barks when left alone. This is good company for him and helps drown out outside noises.

Do’s and don’ts
Do make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise and training everyday. A bored dog is more likely to bark. Don’t leave your dog alone in the backyard for long periods; that can cause many dogs to bark. Please remember — any action to stop barking must be made while the dog is barking. After-the-fact attempts at correction will only confuse your dog. Use a calm, firm voice. Avoid yelling, which can be stressful and upsetting to your dog.