Short answer: To stop your dog from barking excessively, you first need to find out why they’re barking. Once you identify the trigger, you’ll be better able to address the issue. Depending on what is triggering the excessive barking, that could mean using positive reinforcement, removing or hiding the trigger, calming supplements, or visiting your vet to see if there is a medical issue behind the behavior.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
Barks and other vocalized sounds, such as whining and howling, are a major form of communication for your dog. Yes, they also communicate with body language, but barking is the most immediate way your dog can let you know, “Hey, I need my toy!” (Or, at least, try to help us understand that.)
But when a dog barks excessively, that can be a sign that something is wrong. It could be a medical issue, a behavioral issue, anxiety, or simply a signal that they find something in their environment alarming or irritating (squirrels!).
Let’s look at some common reasons that dogs bark.
Common Reasons for Barking
There are a number of reasons your dog may bark, ranging from alarm barking to doorbell barking to territorial barking … and much more.
Territorial Behavior: Dogs see their home and yard as a space that’s theirs to protect. With that sometimes hyper-alert mindset, they’re always looking to guard their territory from strangers, mail carriers, passing dogs or other animals, and other intruders or outsiders.
Boredom: Dogs crave activity and stimulation—mental and physical—and when they don’t get it, they get antsy. They let you know by barking that they have pent-up energy that needs to be released.
Attention-Seeking: Separation anxiety is a common reason for barking. Our pets miss us when we’re away, and sometimes that loneliness can be expressed in making noises in order to get a reaction from you, their bestie. Whether they’re craving food, playtime, or simply a good petting, dogs will often give us a bark for attention.
Fear, Stress, and Anxiety: There are a number of things that can cause stress and anxiety in dogs. Loud noises, such as thunder or fireworks, are a frequent trigger for nervous vocalizations. Abused dogs, in particular, can also be triggered by sudden movement or shouting.
Excitement: Not all loud barks are for negative reasons. Sometimes dogs just get excited and express that joy or anticipation with happy barking.
Pain or Illness: Sometimes, a dog barks to indicate something feels wrong with their body. That could be an injury (perhaps, one you can’t readily see), arthritis or similar painful conditions, cognitive dysfunction, or some other issue. These issues, especially, require close consultation with your veterinarian.
What to Do for Your Dog
While every dog is different and their triggers can vary widely, there are a number of general things that you can do to curb your dog’s barking problem.
Find Out What’s Triggering the Barking
The first step to curbing excessive barking is to find out what’s causing it. Pay attention to what happens right before the barking starts. Is it a particular noise? Is someone on the sidewalk outside your front window? Has your dog been cooped up in the house all day? If you can figure out the trigger, you have a much better chance of finding a solution.
If you’re able to eliminate the trigger by removing visual or aural stimuli, then by all means do so. If dogs or people walking past your house upset your dog, close your curtain or blinds. If your vacuum cleaner or blender makes your dog bark its head off, call them out of the room or distract them so they can’t hear it or give it their full attention. Eliminating the trigger should eliminate or, at least, help manage their barking.
Positive Training
Positive reinforcement is a tried and tested way to train your dog. For barking issues, you can begin by rewarding your dog for quieting down. If they bark, give a command word (such as “quiet” or “calm”) in a gentle, calm voice. If the dog quiets down, reward them with a treat.
You can also redirect their attention from the trigger. For example, if your dog is barking at the mail carrier, call them over to you or have them look at you. When they do so, reward them with a treat or praise and petting.
It’s important, though, to make your training a positive experience. Don’t yell or use an angry voice that can increase your dog’s anxiety or stress. And avoid shock collars and similar pain or fear-based tools.
Manage Their Energy
Dogs are energetic creatures by nature. If they don’t get some form of release for that energy, they can become bored or agitated. So, it’s important to give your dog plenty of exercise, as well as mental stimulation. Give them puzzle toys or chew items that require a lot of attention. And if they do bark for attention, don’t reward that behavior. If your dog knows you’ll pull out a toy if they bark for it, you can rest assured they’ll use that trick every time to get what they want.
Calming Supplements
Calming dog supplements can also help dial down the volume of a loud dog. Happy Paws Calming Supplement for Dogs contains a number of natural ingredients to promote calming, relaxation, and stress relief, including chamomile, passion flower, valerian root, tryptophan, and L-theanine. These vegan treats are perfect for stressful situations, such as unfamiliar guests or car rides, as well as anxious events for dogs, like thunderstorms or fireworks. They’re also great for dogs who have a difficult time winding down at night before bed.
When to Visit Your Veterinarian
When excessive barking is part of a sudden behavioral change or if it seems to indicate that your dog is in pain, you should consult your veterinarian immediately. They will be able to identify any potential medical issues that your dog may be having and recommend a course of treatment.
Quiet Dog, Happy Home
Dog barking can be a joyous, playful sound. But when it becomes excessive, it can be a problem for your entire household. So, try to identify what exactly is setting your dog off and use the methods recommended in this article and, hopefully, you and your dog will have a much happier time together.
