Learn why your dog barks all the time and what you can do about it!
October 06, 2021
How to control dog barking?
How can I stop my dog from barking excessively?
Dogs who bark excessively can cause big problems for owners, but even though it may seem completely out of control, this behavior can be modified to a bearable level.
Sometimes barking dogs can cause such distress that people resort to having the dog’s vocal chords surgically removed, but I’m glad that you find that idea appalling, because most trainers and veterinarians would advise against taking such a drastic measure.
Dogs bark for many reasons—to get attention, as a warning, in response to other barking dogs, out of boredom, out of anxiety or when excited—and it is important to identify the triggers before beginning training.
1. Boredom
These days, most dogs who were once bred to do a certain job find domestic life boring, and barking relieves that boredom. If this is the case, the first step in how to train a dog not to bark is increased exercise and mental stimulation. This will refocus your dog’s mind onto something more positive and help tire him out. Try using a toy that your dog loves or go out on a long walk. There are hundreds of ways to stimulate your dog mentally.
2. Anxiety/Fear
Dogs who suffer anxiety when left alone will often bark a lot during the first 30 minutes after departure, while others continue until their person comes home. If this is the case, you must get a trainer in to help, as separation anxiety can be a very difficult behavior to modify. An alternative is using other training methods such as our CalmDog bark collar, or other toys/objects that calm them down.
3. Attention Seeking
If your dog barks to get attention, don’t reward his demands. Yelling or telling your dog off is inadvertently rewarding him for barking even if the communication is negative. In this case, it is best to ignore the barking, wait for five seconds of quiet and then reward him with attention. This way, the dog learns that he gets nothing from you when he barks but gets everything when he’s quiet.
4. Excited Barking
A dog who barks when excited (i.e., before going for a walk or being fed) is harder to work with because an owner’s pre-departure or pre-food cues are usually highly ritualized. Again, do not reward your dog with the things he wants until he is calm.
- For example, if the dog barking happens as soon as you go for the leash, drop the leash and sit down.
- Keep repeating this until your dog is quiet.
- If you successfully attach the leash but the dog barks as soon as he gets outside, immediately go back inside.
This technique requires patience, but if you are diligent, your dog will quickly learn that quiet equals a walk.
5. Territorial/Alarm
If your dog barks excitedly in the backyard, for example, immediately take him back into the house and only allow him out again when he is quiet. Keep repeating if necessary and never leave him in the back yard unattended.
If your dog bark at other dogs or people in or outside of the home, it might be because he hasn’t received adequate socialization and feels uncomfortable. In this case, the dog needs to go on a desensitization program so he can gain the confidence he needs to cope in a social situation. It’s also normal for a dog to bark to alert their pack about anyone (or anything) approaching their space.
As you can see, there are many reasons why dogs bark but there are ways to stop dogs from barking. Don’t listen to those who say that extreme dog barking can’t be modified, because there are lots of ways to reduce what is a very normal but sometimes annoying behavior. Check out our recommendation for your barking furry friend down below!