A young pup that barks at people or noises etc is a good indication that you have a budding nuisance barker developing. This is a sign of a nervous pup that worries about everything. A well adjusted pup will not usually start barking until somewhere between 8 to 12 months of age.

If you have a pup that is starting to bark at everything that moves, discipline it by growling ‘BAD’ at the precise moment it starts. Praise it as soon as it responds.

Clapping your hands or throwing an object onto the ground near the pup, such as a can of pebbles (careful you don’t hit the pup) and at the same time growling your reprimand word (BAD) should help stop any premature barking.

A puppy that persists even after your reprimand could need some socialising.