Why Does My Dog Bark So Much? A Comprehensive Guide
Dogs bark for a variety of reasons. As a human, it can be frustrating hearing your dog bark and not knowing exactly what your dog is trying to say. Sometimes it feels, well…excessive. And other times, we worry for our dog and wonder if there’s a psychological trigger or health problem at the root of the behavior. Dog owners will tell us that they run through all the options ( look out the window, open the back door, fill their bowl) and still the barking continues. They wonder what’s going on. Let’s run through some of the common reasons dogs bark first.
Attention-seeking barks: Dogs (just like humans) sometimes want to get our attention. Often with a string of single barks. Their body language will be relaxed, with straight or wagging tail. Be careful not to reinforce this behavior too much, as it can lead to additional barking.
Boredom or loneliness barks: When dogs are bored, they may bark to engage you in play or seek attention. Look out for lower, singular "harrr-ruff" barks and play bows - when a dog stretches its front legs out in front, leaning down while keeping its rear end up in the air.
Anxiety barking: Dogs may bark when they feel threatened or anxious. It is often high-pitched. Fearful dogs exhibit body language such as a tucked tail, raised hackles, and lip licking. Dogs may bark when they're afraid of things like strangers, loud noises, or being left alone.
Communicating pain: Dogs will bark when they're in pain to seek help or indicate discomfort. It may sound higher pitched with staccato quality or trail off. If your dog reacts negatively when touched, consult your vet.
Excitement barks: High-pitched or midrange barks accompanied by a wagging tail and an alert body position indicate your dog's excitement. They might spin in circles or jump signaling that they're ready to play.
Protective barking: Dogs may bark to protect their territory, family, or themselves. It's often deep, continuous, authoritative and may be accompanied by growling. Body language includes an alert and assertive body posture with ears forward, tail and hackles raised, body leaning slightly forward.
Compulsive barking: Some dogs develop compulsive barking behavior due to anxiety or frustration. They may bark excessively and in repetitive patterns. This type of barking sometimes requires behavior modification techniques to address the underlying cause.
What can I do about excessive barking?
If your dog is barking excessively, it's important to first try to identify the underlying cause. Once you know why your dog is barking, you’ll be in a better position to address the cause.
There are severall ways both dog trainers and owners can work towards reducing excessive barking. Here are a few:
Provide your dog with enough exercise and mental stimulation. A bored dog is more likely to bark out of frustration. Make sure your dog is getting at least one hour of exercise per day, and provide them with plenty of puzzle toys and other interactive activities. Our purebread dogs were for the most part, bread to have a job so unless your dog was a born couch potato, they need more exercise and stimulation than you might think.
Give your dog a toy or treat to distract them when they start barking, or walk away from them and ignore them until they stop.
Train your dog to bark on command. This can help you to control their barking and teach them to be quiet when needed. A dog trainer can provide guidance on this.
Redirect your dog's attention when they start to bark. If your dog is barking at something outside, try to distract them with a toy or treat.
Ignore attention-seeking barking. If your dog barks to get your attention, don't give in to the behavior. Wait until they stop barking before you give them attention.
Seek professional help if your dog's barking is severe or uncontrollable. A certified professional dog trainer or behaviorist can help you to develop a training plan to address your dog's barking problem.
If your dog is barking excessively due to anxiety, there are additional tactics to pull from. Here are some tips:
Socialize your dog: If your dog is afraid of strangers, it is important to socialize them so that they learn that strangers are not a threat. Start by exposing your dog to strangers in a controlled environment like a play date or a dog introduction under the supervision of a dog trainer.
Desensitize your dog to loud noises: If your dog is afraid of loud noises, you can desensitize them by gradually exposing them to the noises at a low volume and increasing the volume over time.
Treat separation anxiety: If your dog has separation anxiety, there are a number of things you can do to help them. One important step is to gradually increase the amount of time that you leave your dog alone. Start with a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the duration over time. You can also try to give your dog a calming toy or treat when you leave them alone.
In some cases, professional help may be necessary to address anxiety barking. A certified professional dog trainer or behaviorist can help you to develop a training plan to address your dog's anxiety and help ensure the steps you are taking are best suited for your dog.
Barking in excess can be a frustrating problem for both dogs and their owners and we feel for you. None of us were born speaking dog, but there are good resources to help you with the myriad of barking behaviors out there, and we are happy to help you work though it. By all means reach out to us on the contact form on our site. By understanding the underlying causes and taking steps to address them, you can help your dog to learn to bark less and communicate in more effective ways. Different types of barking require specific approaches to address the cause and an expert can help you with the diagnostics.
