Why Dogs Bark

While you’re sitting there wondering if the noise will ever stop, have you ever wondered why dogs bark in the first place? 

We all know how irritating it can be, listening to a dog bark incessantly. Well, we should all start to feel other things as well, like concern and compassion perhaps.

While barking is as normal to a dog as talking is for humans, constant barking is not.

It is much more than the endless noise we seem forced to endure. It is a dog trying to communicate anxiety, stress, loneliness, pent up energy, boredom.

Before you can treat the problem, you have to understand why he’s barking, but treat it you must.

Basics to know that will also help with out of control barking

1. Your dog does not rule the household
2. Exercise your dog, and no, leaving him out in the yard does not constitute exercise. If your dog has a hard time walking long distances, do shorter walks, or how about swimming? He needs to release pent up energy
3. Provide your dog with mental stimulation. Keep his brain active with puzzles, interactive toys…
4. Consistency and routine are your new mantra
5. Train your dog – if he’s a new rescue, teach him a few things, It doesn’t matter if he’s older, he can still be trained. If he is already trained find new tricks to teach him. 
6. If you’re gone for hours at a time, get a neighbour or dog walker to take him out

Tips to get you started

Let me begin by saying, your dog he may be trying to communicate a problem. So if this barking is a new thing, take him to the vet. He may be feeling unwell, in pain, or could be a sign of doggie dementia.

• As soon as your dog starts to bark, correct him immediately, not after you’ve let him bark for a few minutes
• You may want to tear your hair out, but don’t yell. All he hears is you barking back at him, so he’ll just carry on
• Pick a word, for example “quiet” or “stop”, or even a sound. Everyone in your home must use the same correction, and be consistent
• Reward him when he stops, but get the timing right. If not, you’ve just made the problem worse
• You could also try ignoring him, turning your back, or leaving the room. Don’t give in and tell him to be quiet, because you just rewarded him for barking. Give him a treat when he stops
• You could even try teaching your dog to bark. When he barks praise him and pair that up with a verbal cue, how about “bark.” Once she understands the association, get her to bark then praise her. When she stops, praise her again and pair that with a cue like “quiet.” You want to be able to get to the point where you can ask her to bark on cue, and stop.

Some scenarios that may cause excessive barking, and ways to stop it

Coming home

• Many people love the feeling they get when they open the door and their dog comes bounding over, barking and jumping all over them. It makes them feel special, loved. Feel good when your kids or spouse are excited to see you. Your dog… not so much
• Don’t speak to him, or look at him when you walk in. Don’t make a big deal about your return. When he’s quiet, give him a treat

Visitors at the door

• If he goes ballistic whenever someone comes to the door, teach him to sit and stay. Choose a spot where he can see the door, but isn’t too close to it. Practice when the house is quiet
• Only open the door when he’s sitting and quiet
• If he goes off when your guest comes in, escort them out and try it again
• Enlist the help of a very patient friend, but ideally get your family involved
• Training sessions should be short, or he’ll lose focus
• If he barks out of fear, you can leave treats in a bag outside, and ask visitors to give him one when they enter Remember, only when he’s sitting and quiet!
• He’ll soon see visitors as the supplier of tasty treats, rather than something to be feared

Pent up energy

The solution is exercise. Your dog needs proper walks, not just once around the block. Challenge him further through agility training, or games. If your older dogs has arthritis or other limitations, a short gentle walk could help. Other ways to help include taking him swimming, doggie play dates with calm dogs, toys and games that challenge his brain.

Boredom or loneliness

I lost count of how many people tell me their dog is fine alone all day, because he sleeps. They’re either in denial, or don’t know much about a dog’s needs. They are social creatures and not fine when left alone for hours. 

Take him for a nice long hike to tire him out before you go (if he is able, if not, some games or a bit of training will help), and please get a friend or neighbour to walk him. If finances allow, hire a dog walker or put him in doggie daycare.

Protecting territory

• Defending territory is a high priority for dogs, so they want to alert you to the presence of visitors, or scare off intruders.
• Walk over and see what he’s barking at, acknowledge it, and thank him for the warning.
• Believe it or not, once he sees he’s done his job and you’ve taken him seriously, he may feel he only needs a couple of barks to warn you next time.
• If your dog has a favourite spot with the best vantage point to the goings on outside, consider doing some re-arranging to block access to that trigger.
• Can you replace the chain link fence he barks through, with something more opaque?

Sounding the alarm

• Alarm barking is similar to territorial, except it’s not limited to protecting just his home.
• Your dog is trying to warn you about something, so don’t ignore him. Acknowledge the warning, and let him know you are handling it.
• One suggestion I recently read about, is to stand between your dog and whatever the “danger” is (the dog across the street, a kid playing), with you facing the danger. Holding your hand up, palm open like a stop command, can be the signal you will use to show him you’re taking care of it.
• Use the same hand signal every time you step between him and a threat. In time he may be satisfied just seeing your hand signal, without you having to move.

Separation anxiety

This is anxiety a dog suffers when he is left alone. There are degrees of severity and, in addition to barking, can involve constant pacing, being destructive, or obsessively running from room to room, looking for his people.

Handling separation anxiety can be complicated, but get help now. One thing that has been very successful at helping dogs cope with a variety of anxiety triggers is a bioacoustic classical music CD called Through a Dog’s Ear.

Attention seeking/demand

• He’s asking for something – a walk, a treat, your attention. Giving in teaches him barking is the way to get what he wants
• Walk away, turn your back or simply ignore him. Be prepared for long barking sessions, because some dogs are very determined. Persevere, and he will learn
• Reward him only when he’s quiet
• If you can figure out what his “I need to pee even though it’s not my scheduled walk time” bark is, I’d let him keep that signal

Fear

• Is your dog a rescue with a difficult or abusive past? He may feel threatened, unsafe, lack confidence. Don’t forcibly pet him, keep approaching him, or look him in the eye. Leave him be, and let him settle in.
• Every day, or every other day, toss a few treats in his direction, then walk away. Let him see, good things happen when you’re around.
• He needs time to learn to trust, so be patient.

Stress

Did you recently move, adopt a new pet, get married, is there construction going on outside? These changes are not only stressful to us, they can be stressful to your dog.

If nothing has changed, sometimes you can’t pinpoint a reason. If that’s the case, speak to your vet. Anti anxiety medication, plug ins, natural remedies, or calming music may help.

Excitement or frustration

• Your dog can get frustrated at not being able to play with the dog in the next yard, or excited to see him, and his incessant barking isn’t letting you forget it.
• Arrange play dates, or don’t let him out at the same time as your neighbour’s dog.

Pain

Animals tend to hide their pain quite well, which is why it’s important to always pay attention to any changes in eating habits, or general behaviour. If your dog seems off, or something isn’t quite right, a quick trip to the vet is a good idea.

Answering other dogs

You know how it is. One dog barks, then it sets everyone else off talking. Who knows what they say, but they always seem to be quite chatty.

There’s nothing you can do to control the other dogs, but you can re-direct your dog’s attention by playing a game, or bringing him in the house.

Why Dogs Bark – Conclusion

Excessive barking needs to be addressed immediately, and there is no shortage of help. Unaddressed issues can quickly escalate into unmanageable ones. Everyone gets fed up, and the dog gets dumped at the local kill shelter, where, sadly, his chances of being rehomed are slim. You got this dog, so please do what you can to ensure he is well cared for, and his needs are met.

I sincerely hope this article has given you some insight into why dogs bark, and what you can do to enjoy some peace and quiet!!