Dog Barking excessively and how to correct it
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Dog Barking Causes and TrainingOkay, let's be real here. You can't expect a dog to NEVER bark. It's just in their nature. However if you want your dog to stop barking excessively, you might want to figure out what's making your dog bark so much first. Then, you can go about in correcting this behavior once you know the cause.
Dogs can bark for plenty of reasons: fear, excitement, or attention. Knowing which reason it is can greatly help in figuring out how to go about training your dog to curb this barking behavior. |
So, why do dogs even bark?
Well, it's one of the ways they can communicate vocally and it can mean plenty of things. They can be territorial or protective of what they regard as their territory. The barking can get more excessive as the threat gets closer, and you may even notice your dog looking pretty aggressive.
Some dogs are also just more anxious than others. They might bark at any small noise or object that surprises them or gets their attention.
Some dogs use barking as a means to get your attention, when they're bored. In general, you have to understand that dogs are pack animals, so leaving them alone for a long time can leave them feeling pretty lonely and sad. This might trigger their barking behavior because they know it gets your attention. Speaking of attention, they might also bark when they want you to do something for them! If you've given in to their barks before and let them outside, gave them a treat, or even played with them, they might learn from that and keep doing it.
Sometimes dogs bark when they want to say hello! This bark usually sounds at a higher pitch than aggressive barks. You can also read their body language and see if their tail is wagging. They might also do this when they are excited and want to play.
Lastly, dogs may bark from separation anxiety. You can tell when they are barking from this when they display other behaviors associated with separation anxiety, such as pacing or destructiveness.
Well, it's one of the ways they can communicate vocally and it can mean plenty of things. They can be territorial or protective of what they regard as their territory. The barking can get more excessive as the threat gets closer, and you may even notice your dog looking pretty aggressive.
Some dogs are also just more anxious than others. They might bark at any small noise or object that surprises them or gets their attention.
Some dogs use barking as a means to get your attention, when they're bored. In general, you have to understand that dogs are pack animals, so leaving them alone for a long time can leave them feeling pretty lonely and sad. This might trigger their barking behavior because they know it gets your attention. Speaking of attention, they might also bark when they want you to do something for them! If you've given in to their barks before and let them outside, gave them a treat, or even played with them, they might learn from that and keep doing it.
Sometimes dogs bark when they want to say hello! This bark usually sounds at a higher pitch than aggressive barks. You can also read their body language and see if their tail is wagging. They might also do this when they are excited and want to play.
Lastly, dogs may bark from separation anxiety. You can tell when they are barking from this when they display other behaviors associated with separation anxiety, such as pacing or destructiveness.
So how can you stop excessive barking?
This will take time and consistency, especially much more work if your dog has been doing this for a longer time. However, do not shout when your dog barks, since that just makes your dog feel like you're joining in. Speak in a calm, firm voice, but do not yell. Here are some tips for the specific reasons listed above.
Dog is barking because he is territorial or scared.
Since your dog feels threatened and starts barking for this reason, you can try to lessen the threat being perceived by your dog. You can limit what he sees by closing the curtains for example.
Dog is barking because of boredom or loneliness.
Try to keep your dog entertained while you are gone. Provide a friend for your dog to play with or give your dog some fun activities to work on while you are away. Make sure you do not leave your dog outside, as the barking can disturb your neighbors.
You can get someone to walk your dog or play with your dog while you are at work or away for long periods of time. (We offer a dog walking service.) They should have this kind of interaction for at least an hour a day. You can also leave food-dispensing toys around to keep your dog busy. You can also drop your dog off at a daycare, where your dog can also learn obedience or some other form of dog training to keep him mentally focused on something else.
Dog is barking to greet or wants to play.
If your dog is barking nonstop once you get home, you can train your dog to go to a certain spot and to stay there when you open the door. After you pick a spot, train your dog to go to the spot and stay, but don't touch the door. Make sure to reward your dog nicely after successes. Then, you can start opening the door once your dog gets the hang of staying in that spot. Your dog will probably still move from the spot when someone actually comes in the door at first, but you can train your dog to learn to stay in the spot when the door opens and people enter.
Don't pay attention to your dog if he starts barking once you come in. No eye contact either. Once your dog stops barking and learns to sit in silence, you can shower your dog with attention and praise.
Dog is barking for attention.
Always make sure to never pay attention or do what your dog wants if your dog begins to bark for something. This will only make your dog think that his method of barking to get what he or she wants is totally okay. For example, you can set up a bell on the door, so instead of barking to be let outside your dog will ring it after some decent training. Be creative and set up ways to let your dog communicate his wishes without barking at you.
Don't scold your dog, either. That just counts as attention to your dog, and therefore your dog is still winning. Just ignore what your dog wants until your dog stops barking.
Dog is barking because of separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is quite complex in dogs and should be best handled with the help of an animal behaviorist. Some dogs have such bad anxiety that drug therapy is often needed to help them cope while learning to build new behaviors.
We can also help if your dog has separation anxiety. This is nothing new to our expert animal behaviorists and it will be handled in a caring and effective manner, guaranteed.
This will take time and consistency, especially much more work if your dog has been doing this for a longer time. However, do not shout when your dog barks, since that just makes your dog feel like you're joining in. Speak in a calm, firm voice, but do not yell. Here are some tips for the specific reasons listed above.
Dog is barking because he is territorial or scared.
Since your dog feels threatened and starts barking for this reason, you can try to lessen the threat being perceived by your dog. You can limit what he sees by closing the curtains for example.
Dog is barking because of boredom or loneliness.
Try to keep your dog entertained while you are gone. Provide a friend for your dog to play with or give your dog some fun activities to work on while you are away. Make sure you do not leave your dog outside, as the barking can disturb your neighbors.
You can get someone to walk your dog or play with your dog while you are at work or away for long periods of time. (We offer a dog walking service.) They should have this kind of interaction for at least an hour a day. You can also leave food-dispensing toys around to keep your dog busy. You can also drop your dog off at a daycare, where your dog can also learn obedience or some other form of dog training to keep him mentally focused on something else.
Dog is barking to greet or wants to play.
If your dog is barking nonstop once you get home, you can train your dog to go to a certain spot and to stay there when you open the door. After you pick a spot, train your dog to go to the spot and stay, but don't touch the door. Make sure to reward your dog nicely after successes. Then, you can start opening the door once your dog gets the hang of staying in that spot. Your dog will probably still move from the spot when someone actually comes in the door at first, but you can train your dog to learn to stay in the spot when the door opens and people enter.
Don't pay attention to your dog if he starts barking once you come in. No eye contact either. Once your dog stops barking and learns to sit in silence, you can shower your dog with attention and praise.
Dog is barking for attention.
Always make sure to never pay attention or do what your dog wants if your dog begins to bark for something. This will only make your dog think that his method of barking to get what he or she wants is totally okay. For example, you can set up a bell on the door, so instead of barking to be let outside your dog will ring it after some decent training. Be creative and set up ways to let your dog communicate his wishes without barking at you.
Don't scold your dog, either. That just counts as attention to your dog, and therefore your dog is still winning. Just ignore what your dog wants until your dog stops barking.
Dog is barking because of separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is quite complex in dogs and should be best handled with the help of an animal behaviorist. Some dogs have such bad anxiety that drug therapy is often needed to help them cope while learning to build new behaviors.
We can also help if your dog has separation anxiety. This is nothing new to our expert animal behaviorists and it will be handled in a caring and effective manner, guaranteed.
Unsure how to read the signs? Don't misunderstand your dog, it could make things worse! We're here to help you create the best dog and owner relationship possible. Just shoot us a message and we can get working on creating that perfect bond for you and your dog. |
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