**How to Calm Barking Dogs When Noises Set Them Off: Expert’s Simple Redirection Strategy**
Living with a dog can bring a sense of security to many households, but unrelenting barking whenever there’s a noise outside can become a daily source of frustration for pet owners. Whether it’s a postman’s footsteps or the muffled chatter of a passer-by, incessant barking can strain both neighbourly relations and your nerves. Thankfully, a dog training specialist has shared an accessible solution for those struggling to bring the noise down to a manageable level.
Emilee Mahar, an acclaimed dog trainer, has taken to TikTok to offer guidance that promises to address this common canine behaviour. In her video, Mahar emphasises that shouting at, or scolding, a barking dog is unlikely to yield lasting results. “I promise you, yelling at them and punishing them is not going to get you as far as you want,” Mahar cautions her audience, tapping into the frustrations many pet owners will readily recognise.
Instead, Mahar advocates a mindset shift: rather than treating barking as a disciplinary issue, she suggests owners focus on positively altering their pet’s perception of outside noises. “The secret lies in helping to change the way they feel about those sounds,” she explains in the tutorial. This redirection, she insists, does not break the bond of trust between human and animal.
To illustrate the approach, Mahar demonstrates a straightforward training game using leftover fruit—raspberries, in her example—as treats. The concept is refreshingly simple: whenever the dog reacts to a triggering sound, the owner calmly calls the dog and engages them in an interactive game. In her video, she tosses fruit for her own dog to catch, swiftly redirecting the animal’s attention from the source of the disturbance to a more engaging and rewarding activity.
The trainer acknowledges the difficulty in breaking habitual barking, particularly in the early stages. “It’s going to be hard to break the habit in the beginning,” Mahar concedes, but assures viewers that persistence with this playful, positive distraction can yield results over time. “If you start playing this game often, it will help,” she states.
Crucially, Mahar emphasises that owners are not reinforcing the barking itself, but rather managing the dog’s response and building new, positive associations. In her own words: “You’re not rewarding the barking with this method, you are redirecting their attention as well as forming positive associations with things that typically trigger them.” In Mahar’s experience, this technique may serve as ongoing management for some dogs, and a long-term solution for others who just need “a little boost of help”.
For additional guidance, advice from the RSPCA aligns well with Mahar’s recommendations. The animal welfare organisation suggests limiting your dog’s access to areas where they are likely to see or hear external triggers, such as busy windows or garden gates. Moreover, the RSPCA advises owners to keep a supply of appetising treats and engaging toys close to hand. If possible, it’s best to distract or redirect your dog before they escalate into barking, though the charity notes that even interrupting the behaviour after it starts can be helpful.
Dog behavioural issues are frequently cited as a cause of tension within communities, as well as a worry for dog owners themselves. Methods like Mahar’s, which prioritise empathy and positive reinforcement, are gaining support from trainers and charities alike for their focus on lasting behaviour change rather than punitive measures.
For those seeking peace and quiet without damaging the special bond they share with their canine companions, these strategies offer practical, compassionate ways to restore harmony in the home. And while no single technique will suit every household, an increasing number of experts are endorsing game-based interventions over traditional punishment, reflecting a broader shift in our understanding of how best to communicate with man’s best friend.
As our knowledge of dog behaviour continues to evolve, owners have more tools at their disposal than ever before. The combination of patience, consistency, and positive engagement—not to mention the odd raspberry or two—could be the key to ending those frenzied barking episodes and bringing serenity back to your living room.