Excessive dog barking is an unacceptable behavior for all pet parents and neighbors. Some neighbors may even file a complaint against you if your dog’s barking becomes a nuisance. Hence, learning different ways to make your dog stop barking instantly is important.
Many pet owners wonder if they can use vinegar to stop their dogs from barking. Yes. You can use vinegar to stop your dog from barking if it is diluted.
Key Takeaways
You can use diluted vinegar as a natural deterrent to stop your dog from excessive barking. Be careful not to spray directly on the eyes; instead, target the mouth.
The vinegar spray only gives long-lasting results when you use it as a training tool and reward your dog with a treat when he stops barking.
How to Use Vinegar to Stop Barking?
You must dilute vinegar before using it as a barking deterrent. Concentrated vinegar is too powerful for dogs. It can cause eye and nose irritation or stomach problems if ingested.
Making Vinegar Solution: Prepare a homemade dog repellent by adding 2-3 tablespoons of distilled white or apple cider vinegar and 20 drops of citrus-scented essential oil into 1.5 cup of cold water. Mix the solution well. It is better not to use spicy or flavored vinegar.
Some trainers may recommend adding equal amounts of vinegar and water. This can result in a powerful solution that can harm your furry friend.
Spray Container: Add the solution to a spray bottle or a water gun. Most people prefer a spray bottle because it is easier to carry around the house and outdoors.
Application: Keep the bottle ready to instantly stop your dog from barking. Command your dog to be “quiet” and spray the repellent on their face or mouth. Avoid spraying directly into the eyes. Your dog will stop barking. Reward them with a treat and praise them for positive reinforcement. Make sure you don’t use the spray after your dog is done barking. He won’t associate it with barking.
Other Ways to Stop Dogs from Barking
Here are some ways to stop your dog from barking if you think vinegar isn’t working or it is unethical to use vinegar on your dog.
Teach the Quiet Command: Teach your dog to go silent when they hear “quiet” or “be quiet.” It takes some time to teach them without using any aides, but it works well. Reward your dog with a treat after they stop barking.
Stop-Barking Devices: You can also use anti-bark devices to stop your dog from excessive barking. These devices come in the shape of collars and handheld devices. Collar devices are often inhumane. Handheld devices produce ultrasonic sounds that only your dog can hear. The sound annoys the dog slightly, and they stop whatever they are doing.
Lifestyle: Many dogs bark excessively because they don’t get enough time to exercise, stay active and go outside. Try changing your dog’s routine by engaging more with him, taking him outside for walks and exercise, and giving him plenty of toys.
Hunger and Health: Dogs bark when they are hungry. Develop your dog’s feeding routine, so he knows when he will get food. Make sure that you don’t change the routine unless it is very important. Moreover, check your dog’s health to confirm if excessive barking is due to health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why vinegar stops dogs from barking?
The main reason behind vinegar’s success in stopping dogs from barking is its detectable smell. Vinegar has a distinct and harsh odor that most dogs don’t like. You can use a vinegar-water mixture for barking and unwanted behaviors.
Please note that vinegar spray should not be used as a punishment. It must be treated like a training tool aided with rewards after
Is it ethical to spray your dog with vinegar?
Many pet owners don’t use vinegar on dogs because they believe it is unethical. It is up to you to decide. If you think vinegar can harm your dog’s eyes, there are plenty of other options you can use for your dog to stop barking.
What to do if vinegar hurts my dog’s eyes?
Wash your pet’s eyes with regular sterile saline when you see redness. Sterile saline is the solution in which you keep your contact lenses. Do not let the tip of the solution touch your pet’s eyes. And do not use disinfecting/storing type of saline. Diluted vinegar won’t damage your dog’s eyes but can cause pain and irritation. Contact your vet if you don’t see improvement or your dog is visibly restless with red and watery eyes after washing with saline.
Does vinegar work on all breeds?
No. Vinegar spray will not work on all breeds. Some breeds aren’t too responsive to vinegar smell. You may have noticed that some dogs don’t respond to barking control devices, while some react instantly.
Will spraying with water stop a dog from barking?
It may work on some breeds. Dogs who love playing with water won’t respond to water spraying on their face unless you use a high-pressure stream, which can harm your pet.
What scents keep dogs away?
Citrus smells keep dogs away. To keep dogs away, you can use peels from fruits like grapefruit, lemons, and oranges.
