How do I stop my dog from barking when I’m cooking?

How to Stop Your Dog From Barking When You’re Cooking

It can be frustrating to hear your dog barking enthusiastically during mealtime preparation. Fortunately, it is possible to teach your dog to stay quiet while you are cooking.

Determine the Cause of the Barking

The first step to dealing with the problem is to determine why your pup is barking in the first place. Is he barking to get attention? Is he trying to get at something in the kitchen, or is he just excited? Knowing what is motivating your dog to bark will help you better address the issue.

Create a Promise for Positive Reinforcement

When your dog is behaving quietly in the kitchen, give him positive reinforcement. This might mean giving him a treat or speaking to him in an excited, positive tone. It is important to reward him each and every time he stops barking when you’re cooking to ensure his behavior is reinforced.

Keep Mealtime Excitement to a Minimum

It is also important to train your dog to remain quiet at mealtime by managing his expectations. Try to keep your interactions with him limited while you are cooking and never feed him scraps from the kitchen. That way, he won’t see mealtime temperatures as an opportunity to beg for treats.

Give him a Distraction

If your pup won’t stay quiet while you are cooking, then it is important to give him something else to focus on. This can include giving him a bone or toy to chew on, or playing relaxing music in the background. That way, his attention will be diverted away from the kitchen, and you can get your meal preparation done undisturbed.

Try Desensitization

Desensitization is a popular method of training a dog to get used to things they are initially scared of, or find overwhelming. Try feeding your pup at mealtime while standing around the kitchen in a calm manner, without any food on the counter. Gradually increase the time spent in the kitchen, and reward your pup for staying calm. This method can help your pup become more comfortable with mealtime cooking.

Train Appropriate Behaviours

Finally, you can use positive reinforcement training to teach your pup alternative behaviors to barking. Encourage behaviors like looking away, sitting and staying when in the kitchen. Also, be consistent with your commands, so your pup knows what to do and when.

With some patience and effort, you can teach your pup to stay quiet during meals. Setting clear boundaries and being consistent with rewards and commands is key to changing your pup’s behavior for the better.