How to stop your Maltese from barking

If you think your Maltese dog has barked enough, then maybe there’s something you need to remember that you already know … ‘Dogs are born to bark!’ Despite all the training protocols they go through, they cannot refrain from expressing their feelings and needs. Did you know that there is only one breed of dog on earth that does not bark? It is a Basenji.

Why is my Maltese dog barking?

There are many reasons why a Maltese dog would bark. Some of the most common reasons are listed below:

• Defensive territorial bark
• Barking alert
• Barking for attention
• Welcome bark
• Barking in disgust
• Habitual barking
• Trauma / illness related barking

How to stop Maltese dogs from barking?

Some of the essential and most important points to consider in this regard are:

• When does the dog start barking?
• What does the dog normally bark at?
• Is there a specific trigger responsible for the dog’s barking?

If you think your Maltese dog is barking to alarm you about something, you won’t be able to stop it from barking. In fact, some dog owners who are inattentive or trying to stop the dog’s defensive territorial barking may have to deal with their aggression. It would be best if you create a suitable environment for the dog in which he will not be able to feel anything unsafe that would otherwise initiate his alert or territorial bark. For example, you can drop the blinds in your house or fence the patio.

Detect anxiety to stop a barking Maltese

As the owner of an affectionate dog, you should always be on the lookout for the causative factor that initiates the anxiety reaction in the dog. Sometimes Maltese dogs will bark to keep you from going anywhere, as they require your attention and care. There are times when the ignore factor works well to stop Maltese dogs from barking.

For example, when you enter your home after a long day at the office, your dog may simply approach you with enthusiasm. This is the situation where you are supposed to grumpily respond to your dog for approx. 10-15 minutes. This may sound rude, but you will find that the barking that attracts attention decreases in the long run.

Finally, the last thing you can do to keep your Maltese dog from barking is to train him to be calm. You will be asked to create a signal command that tells your dog to stop barking. You should teach your dog the barking behavior in his early years so that he begins to respond involuntarily and appropriately as an adult.