Do you have or have you ever had a dog that barks excessively at every little thing? At times, a dog can bark way too much, and it can become a problem. It can be distracting to your peace at home, or even become a nuisance to neighbors. However, to get them to stop, it is not always as difficult a problem to solve as most people think.
I don’t think anyone wants their dog to never bark. A little barking at the right time can be very useful, whether it’s to alert you to someone or something approaching your home, or to scare away threats when you’re not there. The trick is to get to that “just right” zone of barking — not too little, not too much, but just right.
You might be surprised to hear it, but getting to “just right” is probably a lot easier than you think.
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So First Of All, Why do Dogs Bark?
Before you can fix any problem, you have to understand what is causing the problem. Is your dog protective and alerting you to danger? Is something wrong? Is your dog just barking for seemingly “no reason”? When it comes to barking, it can be either wanted or unwanted. So if we can answer why dogs bark, we can begin to understand where the dog is coming from, in order to address the behavior.
At a basic level, dogs bark to communicate, particularly in situations where they cannot immediately see the rest of pack or when they want to get a message to the entire pack. In your case, you and your family are your dog’s “pack”. Out the wild, barking can be sharing a message warning the pack of danger or a call to the hunt. If the barking comes from the dogs at the front of the pack, it can be a way to scare off a threat.
An interesting piece of information is that wild dogs don’t actually bark that much. Wild dogs usually save barking for really important situations. So when your domesticated dog is constantly barking at home and will not stop, what can be begin to understand what they need?
Why Do Dogs Bark Too Much?
So when a domesticated dog barks all day, what are they trying to say to us? According to Cesar Milan, if a dog is barking excessively at home when nobody is home, it is generally a sign of boredom or frustration. If you have a dog that prefers to be with their owner and does not like being alone, it can also be their way of calling you back. Some dogs simply aren’t as independent as others and need more attention from their caregivers.
Another cause can be due to excessive energy. Depending on the type of dog breed, those with high levels of energy require an outlet, otherwise that energy is pent up and unexpressed. To burn off some of it, a dog will try to do it through hyperactivity and/or barking. If you’ve seen any herding dog compared to a Great Dane, you will know what I mean. A third factor is that it can be due to anxiety. When it is related to anxiety, the dog perceives that every noise, no matter how slight, is a potential threat that they need to scare away.
It may seem like something that’s impossible to control, but you have to remember why dogs bark in the first place. Communication. So we need to figure out what the dog needs, instead of blaming them for annoying behavior. When we meet the their root needs, the extra barking will stop.
Stopping the Barking
That probably sounds way easier said than done. However, in reality, it can be done quite easily. It requires focus, commitment, and consistency on your part. It starts with being diligent in observing your dog, so that when the unwanted barking happens, you can correct it right away. Whether you touch your dog to give it a physical queue, a “tsch”, moving the dog to another room, a distraction, or other method to harmlessly break the pattern of behavior of your dog. If you are consistent, and are able to catch your dog each time, eventually, the behavior will stop. It won’t happen overnight, however, your commitment to catch your dog barking inappropriately and stop it when it starts is the best way to go. You don’t want to stop your dog from barking if they are warding away an intruder or unwanted solicitor, so you will need to use your judgement in defining wanted and unwanted barking.
There’s another “C” that goes with commitment and consistency, and that is “calm.” As with any correction, you have to remain calm and assertive. If you get angry or impatient, this will just amp up your dog’s energy and make barking more likely.
If the barking is always at a specific thing — like a particular door or window, or when people come in the house, then you can break the cycle by claiming that thing. It might even be at the mail carrier (which is very common). Remember to keep your dog on a leash if you are out with your dog and the mail carrier happens to be around. That’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Using your body language and calm, assertive energy, create an invisible barrier between your dog and the stimulus. This sends the signal that it’s nothing they need to be concerned with or worried about, because it “belongs” to you.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Giving a correction is great if I’m there, but my problem is that my dog barks when I’m not home.” In that case, you need to challenge your dog, mentally and physically, in order to leave them in a state that’s directed away from unnecessary barking.
Dog Exercise
The physical challenge means exercise. Take your dog on a long walk before you leave to drain all of that excess energy and leave her in a calm, submissive state. To challenge her mentally, you can leave her with something to do, like a favorite chewy, or a “find the treat” toy that will keep her engaged until you get back.
In addition, crate training
If you can’t solve the problem, there’s nothing wrong with consulting a behaviorist or trainer to get some extra help with addressing the behavior.
When your dog barks, he or she is trying to tell you something. Instead of dismissing the barking as an annoying or out of control behavior, you can listen and offer a response appropriate to what they are trying to communicate to you. By being calm and assertive, you can reassure your dog that they don’t need to continue to bark to alert you, as they feel heard.
Give it a try and let us know how it goes for you!
