Your dog can be barking for numerous reasons, and it's important that you understand the reasons your dog barks so you know for sure if it's a dog barking problem. First you will need to know what normal dog barking is, and that would be:
Normal Barking
Barking is a dog's natural way of getting your attention. The same way we ask questions or let someone know something is amiss or wrong. Make sure the animal has the necessities like ample food, water and comfortable places to be.
If the animal is hungry or thirsty, they may bark to let you know "Hey! I need something here! Pay attention to me!" Supplying the food and water in ample quantities will solve that in a hurry. Be especially sure your dog has water on a continual basis.They will need a warm place in the winter and shade in the summer.
Another form of normal barking is out of sheer frustration. An animal that is confined in a cage or on a leash may be irritated by people walking by and teasing them. This can be resolved by moving the confinement area out of sight of the sidewalk or simply bring the animal inside the house.
Abnormal Dog Barking
If your dog seems to be barking for no apparent reason they may have anxiety, way too much energy, or has simply never been trained to be quiet. Here are some solutions for these problems:
1. When You Come Home
When you return from being out, do not greet the dog as if you were away for a great deal of time. A simple pat on the head and a "Hello" should suffice. Anything more leaves the impression that being alone is a BIG deal and they will bark incessantly while you are away.
2. Limit Praise
Limit the praise you give your dog to when they have earned it. Without a clear reason to why they are getting praise, this leads them to believe they can get it whenever they want. Then, they will bark until they get it. At this point I don't care if you are the most patient person in the world sooner or later you will give in to this barking, and only reinforcing their barking habits.
3. Curing Anxiety
Get your dog used to being alone for short periods. Give them a good chew toy and when they are absorbed in the toy, leave the room and shut the door. When you return, don't make it a big event. They will probably swarm you for affection, which you should ignore. This reinforces the idea that you're being away wasn't that important to their survival after all. Do this repeatedly until the days pass and they no longer seem phased when you leave the room.
Barking Relief
These are some of the things you can do to curb abnormal barking. If these do not show any results, there are other, more radical solutions, like a citronella barking collar or an electric shock collar. These are completely humane, simple and safe to use.
Citronella collars will gently spritz a whiff of citronella in front of the dog's nose when he barks. Dogs dislike the odor of the stuff and it works surprisingly well for most dogs.The shock collar is a little more dramatic and emits a light shock when the dog barks. This is reserved for moderate to severe problems.