A dog's bark is its way of communicating with the outside world. Excessive barking may be caused by:
A dog's feeling of loneliness or separation from the owner or family.
Boredom and frustration.
Off-property noises. Dogs sense many things they can't respond to, and barking may get a dog the attention it craves.
What can you do to stop your dog from barking?
If possible, keep your pet inside the house. The less your dog is exposed to people walking by, other barking dogs, cars, motorcycles, sirens and the like, the less likely your dog will bark.
Spend time playing with your dog, and provide constructive exercise like walking. This will give the dog a sense of security and a feeling of belonging.
Behavior correction: A sharp, verbal "no" command is often enough to quiet your pet. Never praise a dog for unwarranted barking because that reinforces the idea that barking is acceptable behavior.
Act promptly. Correct needless barking immediately. Your dog will not understand your correction if it comes long after it has stopped barking.
Don't expect to command someone else's dog to stop barking. Yelling at a barking dog can be like a reward because the dog gets the attention it was seeking.
What else can you do?
If you have an outside dog, make sure it has a sturdy doghouse. This not only protects your pet from the weather but helps muffle outside noises that may cause your dog to bark. The more you control the sights and sounds your dog experiences the more you can prevent excessive barking.
Remember that no one likes to hear excessive barking. With a little time, patience, and understanding of why dogs bark, you can stop or at least reduce needless barking.