If your dog is excessively barking and driving you and your neighbors nuts, try a few of these simple solutions.

1)Walk your dog at least 3 times a day

2)Exercise and play with him/her

3)Try corrective training if dog is too territorial

4)Enlist help from a dog trainer if needed

5)Try training aids (i.e. bark collar) if all else fails

Walking your dog is a surprisingly effective way to solve many behavioral problems, including excessive barking. Many times, dogs are simply frustrated and need to get out and get some fresh air. Dogs are our little babies, but they still need time to just be dogs. Its important to their psyche to sniff, mark and explore the great outdoors. Its also a chance to establish your dominance in the pack. While youre out, try exercising and playing with him/her. This will make the experience more enjoyable for both of you and work out some excess energy.

Some dogs are overly territorial, and so the local mail person and any other passers by get a full dose of barking. In this case, get a friend to help you do some corrective training. First, put on your dogs collar or harness and leash. Then, have your friend walk by the fence or yard to make the dog bark. Give the dog a quick correction every time he barks so that the association is made that barking at people is bad. If this doesnt work, try hiring a professional trainer. Many of these people are great experts with dogs and can help.

If all else fails, you could try something like a bark collar. Many people think its cruel, but it just surprises the dog each time they bark so that they stop. Make sure, though, that youve addressed the underlying issue of the barking.