HELP!- my dog barks when I'm not home

This can be such a frustrating problem and one that actually ends up causing some people to get rid of their dogs because of neighbor complaints and threat of landlords kicking people out of their apartments. This can be solved by breaking up the problem into small training sessions. Try committing to doing this 2-3 times everyday for the next two weeks and at the end you'll see a huge difference.

1. Say Quiet
2. Wait (2 seconds)
3. Say good dog and give a treat

next add a turn around to the wait
1. Say Quiet
2. Turn around (eye contact lost)
3. Say good dog and treat

Next go to the door
1. Say Quiet
2. walk to door
3. Say good dog and treat

Next begin to open door
Then exit but don't shut door
Then exit shut door for one second ONLY! and come back in
Then SLOWLY extend the amount of time you are gone. first 1 second then 2 then 4 then 7 then 10 then 15 etc.
Then try adding in picking up your purse (you will have to shorten the time again)....
Then try jiggling keys (again probably will have to shorten time)....
With each new step you add more time and before you know it you'll be out the door and down the block.

Tips:
If you have a baby monitor use it to hear if your dog is barking when your further away.
Do this slowly over a couple of weeks NOT all in one day
Make sure to use a treat that is special to your dog- that way he will think of you leaving and getting a special treat
If your dog is barking you have moved to fast- do less time and fewer distractions
REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT- Your dog has repeated the behavior of barking when you leave hundreds and thousands of times, so give your dog the opportunity to practice being quiet before learning to continue this new behavior on it's own.

Before you know it you'll have a quiet home again!
Kat