Is the barking keeping you up at night? Or is it just completely driving you nuts and not at all what you were expecting when you picked up that little ball of fluff? It is very normal for a small puppy to bark excessively as this is used as a cry for attention.  A small puppy is used to being around its mother and brothers and sisters at all times and is likely to become lonely and scared once you’ve brought him home. 


Giving your puppy attention isn’t the problem. It’s when you give it your attention. If your new puppy is barking and whining constantly - even though it is very hard to resist those big eyes and fluffy paws - it is best to ignore it at all times. If you give in to the whining, your puppy will realise that by doing so it is getting your attention and will continue to do so whilst growing up. Sure, he’s puppy all cute and adorable now, but one day he will grow up and his barks will become louder.

 Start by ignoring the whines and barks for attention. Once your puppy has quieted down, you may give him attention and reward him with a praise or a treat. It is very important that you teach your puppy that it is okay for him to be on his own. Start by leaving him alone in a room for short period of time and slowly build up to longer amounts of time. It is important that you initiate the relationship between you and your puppy and not the puppy himself. To avoid separation anxiety in puppies, keep it low-key when you leave the house and do not make a big fuss over him once you return as this could result in excessive howling and barking whenever you leave the house.

Puppies are known to bark when they feel scared and intimidated as well. Take your puppy out with you as much as you can to make him get used to new people and the noises outside. When you’re indoors, run the vacuum cleaner and hair dryer at times to make him get used to those noises too.