A barking dog driving you (and the neighbors!) crazy? Find out why your dog keeps barking and how to stop it.
Katy and Shell are two stylish dog moms who celebrate the best in pet-friendly living. A professional wildlife photographer and canine lifestyle writer, together they bring dog-friendly inspiration, pet product recommendations, dog treat recipes, expert pet tips and the best of emerging and designer dog brands into the homes of discerning pet owners around the world.
Just as it is natural for humans to talk, it is natural for dogs to bark! But if your dog walks away – literally! – crazy barking, this can signal that something is bothering your pup more than usual.
It goes without saying, but a dog barking at everything can be a real nuisance. There may be times when you can ignore it or put up with it, but other times (like when you’re trying to sleep or have guests over) when the dog’s excessive barking can interfere with your daily life.
It can also be a real pain for your neighbors. After all, who wants to hear a dog barking all day and all night? !
No matter how cute and well-behaved your dog is, barking is a behavior problem that can get worse without proper intervention and training. But first, it is important to understand Why dogs won’t stop barking and how to tell when it’s a problem.
If you’ve been tearing your hair out wondering “why is my dog barking so much?” read on to learn more about common reasons, as well as proven and easy ways to stop your dog from barking at all costs.
After reading the tips below, you might even say that you will become a bark eater expert!
Why does my dog bark at everything? Here are 6 reasons why dogs bark
Barking is one of the primary ways dogs communicate, so you shouldn’t expect a dog to not bark at all. It’s as unreasonable as expecting a baby to never cry!
However, some dogs bark excessively. It could be every time someone walks past the house, every time your dog hears movement in the nearby yard, or every time your dog is around other dogs or people.
If you have a problem with your dog’s barking, the first step is to understand the common reasons behind excessive barking.
Dogs bark most often because of what follows:
- Territorial: Dogs bark to protect you or their territory. For example, when strangers or other dogs enter your property or are near your home.
- To fear: If your dog is startled or frightened, he may bark to alert you and scare away the potential threat. You can tell if your dog is scared when his ears are pinned back and his tail is tucked between his legs.
- Boredom or loneliness: Dogs are pack animals. They are conditioned to want to be around other dogs – or at least other humans! So if your dog is left alone for long periods of time, he may bark to signal loneliness or boredom.
- Play: Does your dog bark every time he socializes with other dogs? This is completely normal, as barking is used to greet and encourage playtime. An easy way to tell if the bark is a “happy” bark is when your puppy’s barking is accompanied by a tail wagging and jumping.
- Attention Quest: You may notice your dog barking to alert you to something. It can be for going out, playing, walking, or when he wants a tasty dog treat!
- Separation anxiety: This is one of the most common reasons behind excessive barking in dogs. Dogs with separation anxiety often bark continuously when they are home alone. This is usually accompanied by destructive behaviors such as chewing and digging, as well as repetitive motions such as running in circles or along the fence.
It should also be noted that some dog breeds, such as Beagles, Dachshunds, and Australian Shepherds, are more inclined to excessive barking than others. And just like people, each dog has its own personality. They may just like to bark!
How to stop your dog from barking
Knowing how to stop your dog from excessive barking starts with identifying the root cause. After reading the above reasons why dogs barkyou will be better able to identify what is triggering the behavior.
Once you know why your dog is barking, it’s time to focus on retraining his behavior or changing his environment, depending on the root cause of the barking.
Rehabilitating your dog is a great way to encourage him to stop barking, although it takes time and patience. But your efforts will be well rewarded with a more peaceful and quiet home for pets!
Here are some effective and proven ways to overcome excessive dog barking:
Desensitize your dog to the triggering event
Much like exposure therapy for humans, this involves slowly exposing your dog to its triggering event. When he begins to bark, give a clear, firm command such as “no!”. You can also use distraction techniques, such as commanding “sit!” and shifting their gaze to treats or toys to draw their attention away from their trigger.
Whenever your dog doesn’t bark, reward him with a treat. Every time he barks, ignore him and try again. This approach takes persistence and practice, but if you’re consistent, you’ll see results.
Ignore barking for attention
If you think your dog is barking just to get your attention, just ignore it. Again, it’s not easy either – but keep going! Whenever your pup is calm, reward him with a treat or praise and pat him.
Dogs to like be careful, so if they realize that barking isn’t getting them the desired result, they will slowly learn to stop the behavior.
Stay calm
Although excessive dog barking can be annoying, remember to stay calm! If you don’t, your dog will sense it and will only reflect your frustration by barking more.
Positive reinforcement
By using reward-based positive reinforcement with praise and treats (check out these homemade dog treat recipes), you can retrain your dog’s brain to not associate triggers (such as other people or dogs) as needed to bark.
Exercise your dog
If your dog’s barking is due to environmental stressors such as being left alone or boredom, then make sure your dog gets daily exercise. It could be a walk around the block or to the local park, or at the very least, run around the backyard playing ball. Aim for 30 minutes of continuous exercise depending on your dog’s size, breed, and energy levels.
If you spend your day at work, try to incorporate your walking either before work or when you get home. This will help your best friend burn off excess energy and keep him energized. It will also give them something to look forward to!
Allow your dog to socialize
If you suspect your dog is lonely or has separation anxiety, explore options such as a dog sitter, dog daycare, or consider have a second dog!
Enrichment Toys
If the above options aren’t right for your situation, you should try to keep your dog as stimulated as possible while you’re away. This can include letting them play with boredom busters, like a treat-filled Kong, or even this simple homemade Apple Kong! You can also provide them with high-quality chew toys to keep them busy during the day.
Control your dog’s barking
Dogs can have episodes of excessive barking for a number of reasons. For the most part, it’s not a sign of anything too serious. Howeverthe problem can certainly disturb you and your neighbors, which can lead to an annoying noise complaint.
Persistent training and maintaining a calm, assertive tone with your dog is so important to solving most of the problems listed above. With positive reinforcement training and positive environmental changes, your dog will learn to calm down and bark less.
In cases of extreme separation anxiety, or if the barking does not improve using the tips above, it is a good idea to consult your local veterinarian for further advice. They can recommend anti-anxiety medication for your dog (if anxiety is determined to be the primary cause of the barking) or refer you to other training techniques or tools that can help, such as a pet behaviorist.
Good luck – and remember, patience and perseverance pay off!
