Barking is a perfectly acceptable method of communication for dogs. Dogs bark to express feelings, alert owners to potential dangers, get someone’s attention, react to the world around them, or communicate with other animals. Although some breeds tend to bark more than others, the occasional bark from your dog is generally nothing to worry about.
When a dog continues to bark incessantly (either loudly or softly), barks all day long, or barks at times under circumstances where there is no need to bark, then the barking has become “excessive.” Chronic excessive barking creates stress for both the owner and the neighbors, as well as the dog. Chronic excessive barking interferes with your ability to enjoy time in your own home, disrupts your sleep patterns, and can potentially be indicative of deeper psychological or medical issues related to the behavior.
Identifying why your dog is barking excessively is typically the initial step toward changing the behavior. Properly trained, mentally stimulated, physically exercised, and managed within its environment, excessive barking can be significantly reduced.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
There are several reasons why dogs bark. The motivations behind the barking will depend upon the particular situation, environment and individual characteristics of the dog.
Territorial Behavior
A large number of dogs will bark in order to protect their family, home, yard or property. Territorial barking is typically triggered by individuals approaching your residence who do not belong there (strangers, delivery people, visitors, etc.), or by other pets visiting your yard.
For many dogs, territorial barking is simply an expression of a natural defensive instinct. Certain breeds have been bred specifically for protection purposes and may be very sensitive to unusual noise or movement in areas surrounding their territory. These types of barks are typically loud, repetitive and focused directly at a perceived threat.
Attention-Seeking
Through repetition and reinforcement dogs learn that barking can result in receiving attention from their owner. Many times, owners provide verbal or non-verbal cues through speaking to their dog while he is barking, providing physical contact (petting) while he is barking, feeding their dog while he is barking, or engaging in playful interactions with their dog while he is barking.
By reinforcing barking behaviors through positive or negative attention, owners inadvertently create an association in their dogs’ minds regarding barking and attention. Barking for attention typically results from the desire for food, playtime, affection or access to items the dog desires but is unable to obtain. Even attention that is given negatively (e.g., yelling) may lead to continued barking since the dog still received some level of attention from the owner.
Fear & Anxiety
Dogs that exhibit fearful or anxious behaviors may bark when they experience fear or anxiety. This type of reaction to fear or anxiety can occur when exposed to loud noises, meeting strangers, encountering new locations or being subjected to abrupt changes in routine.
Separation anxiety or inadequate socialization can contribute to anxiety-related barking in dogs. While these dogs may also demonstrate other stress-related behaviors (such as pacing, panting, trembling, hiding, chewing, and damaging furniture), these behaviors are not always apparent.
Lack of Stimulation Boredom
Behavioral problems, including excessive barking, frequently arise from physical inactivity or mental under-stimulation. High-energy breed dogs are particularly susceptible to developing boredom if they are not provided adequate opportunities for physical activity and or mental stimulation through various forms of training activities.
Barking provides a means of releasing pent-up energy and frustrations and a distraction for high-energy breed dogs during periods of inactivity.
Medical Problems
Certain health-related problems can either stimulate increased barking vocalizations in dogs. Medical conditions such as pain, discomfort, diminished auditory acuity, neurological disorders, and cognitive dysfunction can cause dogs to bark more than normal.
If your dog begins barking excessively without an identifiable reason for doing so, it would be beneficial to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian.
Types of Dog Barking
There are several types of barking patterns that can give you an indication of why your dog is barking.
Alert Barking
Alert barking is a form of barking caused by dogs reacting to sounds, moving objects, or unknown events. The alert barking is typically short (less than two seconds), repeated frequently (in rapid succession) and is usually high-pitched in nature.
Examples of items that trigger alert barking include:
- Doorbells ringing
- Passing vehicles
- People standing outside windows
- Other animals
- Unusual noises
While it’s completely normal for a dog to exhibit alert barking to some degree, excessive alert barking becomes problematic when the dog consistently responds to minimal stimuli.
Compulsive Barking
Compulsive barking consists of repetitive barking with no apparent reason behind the behavior and appears as though the dog has difficulty controlling the behavior.
In many cases, dogs exhibiting compulsive behaviors will bark as part of other compulsive actions such as pacing back and forth, spinning around in circles or repetitively moving their bodies from side-to-side.
Bark-induced compulsive behavior may be directly related to chronic stress, chronic anxiety or insufficient stimulation.
Frustration Barking
Frustrated barking is triggered when a dog feels denied access to something he/she wants. This is most typical when a dog sees another pet, toy or person he/she cannot get to.
Barrier frustration (i.e., being separated by a physical obstacle), leash frustration (being on-leash) and confinement can all result in frustrated barked responses.
Frustrated barks are generally loud and emotionally-driven.
Separation Anxiety Barking
When a dog exhibits separation anxiety, he/she may bark excessively upon leaving his/her owner. Typically, the separation anxiety barking starts shortly after the owner departs and can last for extended periods of time. Additional symptoms may include:
- Destructive chewing
- Scratching walls/doors/windows
- Accidents within the home
- Pacing or drooling
Separation anxiety usually requires a structured training program and progressive independence training.
Ways To Minimize Excessive Barking
Minimizing excessive barking takes patience and consistent effort; however, once the source(s) of the problem have been identified, progress should begin almost immediately.
Identifying Triggers
First, determine what specifically causes your dog’s barking. Watch closely as to when, where, etc. your dog exhibits excessive barking. Questions to ask yourself regarding these observations might include:
- Does the dog bark at strangers?
- Does barking happen when left alone?
- Is the dog reacting to sounds or movement?
- Does barking occur mainly during boredom or excitement?
Determining patterns allows owners to target the source of their dog’s excessive barking instead of merely reacting to the noise.
Increasing Exercise and Enrichment
Regular physical exercise and mental stimulation are both important factors in reducing boredom-related barking. Activities that promote both physical and mental stimulation for your dog include:
- Daily walks
- Interactive toys
- Obedience Training
- Puzzle Feeders
- Playing fetch
- Scent Games
Generally speaking, tired and mentally stimulated dogs are much quieter and therefore tend to bark less.
Teaching the “Quiet” Command
You can train a “quiet” command so your dog knows when to cease barking. One way to do this includes:
- Allow your dog to bark briefly
- Say “quiet” in a calm tone of voice
- Reward your dog with treats and/or praise for remaining silent
Consistency is key when teaching your dog new commands. Generally, dogs learn faster when their good behavior is reinforced regularly.
Reducing Environmental Stimuli
Some dogs bark excessively because they constantly react to visual or sound triggers. Helpful management strategies may include:
- Closing curtains or blinds
- Using white noise machines
- Limiting window access
- Creating a calm resting area
- Blocking outdoor distractions
Mistakes Owners Make
Some barking behaviors are created because of things owners do, which can make the barking worse.
Yelling at the Dog
If you yell at your dog when they bark, they will get excited or anxious. They might think you are barking too; this makes them want to bark again, so they continue. This teaches the dog that yelling is a good way to stop barking instead of a bad one. Calmly telling them no works better.
Rewards for Barking Unintentionally
Sometimes owners reward barking without knowing about it. Here’s how:
- Attention: Give them some attention while they’re barking.
- Food: Give them food to stop barking.
- Taking Them Outside: Immediately let them out when they bark.
All three teach the dog that barking gets rewarded.
Ignoring Mental Stimulation
Behavioral problems such as barking are most likely caused by lack of mental stimulation. Dogs have to learn to solve problems, look around, interact with their world. If they don’t receive enough stimulation, their barking becomes frustrated or excess energy. Training exercises, toys that work together with them and planned activities keep dogs mentally healthy.
When Barking Signals, a Health Problem
Even though barking is mostly a behavior, there could always be a health concern.
Pain-Related Barking
Dogs that are hurting may bark due to being uncomfortable. The pain could be coming from bones, teeth, injury or internal illness. Some causes of pain related barking include: Movement, Touch and Activities.
Cognitive Decline in Senior Dogs
As older dogs age they can develop cognitive decline just like people with Alzheimer’s. Their brains stop working properly. Cognitive decline can lead to dogs that bark loudly through the day/night and seem lost. These senior dogs may also lose routine.
Sudden Changes in Vocalization
Any new, sudden behavior in a senior dog should be taken seriously. A veterinarian needs to examine the dog and determine what is wrong.
If the barking occurs with no apparent reason, then it may be due to a serious medical issue. Neurological problems, hormone imbalance, hearing loss or anxiety due to illness can all cause unusual barking behavior.
Conclusion
Most cases of excessive barking result from an attempt by the dog to communicate a significant event. Understanding why a dog is barking (i.e., fear, boredom, frustration, etc.) is key to resolving the problem efficiently.
The use of punishment alone does little to address the root cause of excessive barking and may, in fact, exacerbate the pet’s level of stress or anxiety.
Successful management involves providing the pet with proper training and socialization, controlling its environment, encouraging regular exercise, providing mental stimulation through playtime, obedience training and/or puzzle toys, and rewarding desired behaviors using positive reinforcement techniques.
Each dog is unique, patience and consistent effort may be required before seeing improvements in your pet’s barking habits. By understanding what stimulates your pet’s excessive barking and by making sure your pet receives appropriate physical and emotional care, you can help alleviate the problem of excessive barking and create a happier, more relaxed companion.