How can I stop my dog barking?
To get dogs to stop barking we must understand why they are barking first.
Understanding Excessive Barking in Dogs: Causes and Solutions
Barking is a natural form of communication for dogs, but excessive barking can be frustrating for dog owners and neighbours alike. It can also highlight that our dogs are suffering in some way and are struggling to cope. Understanding the reasons behind your dog's excessive barking is the first step in addressing the issue. Let's explore some common causes and solutions.
Common Causes of Excessive Barking
Care-seeking dogs often bark to seek care and attention from their owners. Care-seeking is a natural behaviour, and listening to our dogs can support them in trusting that we are a safe space. We used to use the term attention seeking but this can create negative thoughts towards our dogs and not allow us to truly appreciate that care-seeking behaviours are there for a reason. Working out what they need isn’t always easy but it is essential in understanding our dogs on a deeper level.
Boredom A bored dog is a barking dog. Without enough mental stimulation or physical exercise, dogs may resort to barking to alleviate their boredom. Allowing them to sniff and forage more on their walks and making their walks more enriching can help. It's about quality, not quantity.
Separation Anxiety Dogs with separation anxiety may bark excessively when left alone. This type of barking can be accompanied by other signs of distress, such as pacing, destructiveness, and house soiling.
Territorial Behavior Many dogs bark to protect their territory or alert us to danger. This can include their home, garden, or even their favourite spots in the neighbourhood. Territorial barking is usually triggered by the presence of strangers or other animals.
Fear or Anxiety Dogs may bark excessively when they are scared or anxious. Common triggers include loud noises (such as thunderstorms or fireworks), unfamiliar environments, or new people and animals.
Playfulness and Excitement Some dogs bark out of playfulness or excitement. This type of barking often occurs during playtime or when greeting people and other dogs. Just like some people are more vocal than others, so are dogs.
Health Issues Sometimes, excessive barking can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Dogs in pain or discomfort may bark to express their distress. We often see a reduction in barking as soon as we get dogs on the right pain medication. Gut health can also be a contributing factor.
Solutions for Managing Excessive Barking
Provide Adequate Exercise and Mental Stimulation Ensure your dog gets plenty of physical exercise and mental enrichment to keep them occupied and reduce boredom-related barking. Scent work and play with humans, such as tug, can be very effective. Dogs often don’t need as much physical exercise as we think but they do need lots of exploration time. Places where they get to scent and discover.
Address Care-Seeking Behavior Pay attention to care-seeking behaviors. New science backs up that we need to respond to these behaviours, as ignoring them can lead to mental health issues. Listening and responding appropriately can support your dog in feeling secure.
Create a Calm Environment Reduce your dog's exposure to triggers that cause fear or anxiety. Use calming techniques such as white noise, pheromone diffusers, window films or anxiety wraps to help soothe your dog.
Desensitise and Counter-Condition Gradually expose your dog to their barking triggers in a controlled manner and pair the exposure with positive experiences, such as treats and praise, to change their emotional response. This can be great for doorbells.
Provide a Safe Space Create a comfortable and secure space for your dog to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed. This can help reduce anxiety-related barking.
Work in a Multidisciplinary Way To diagnose pain, consider a multidisciplinary approach. Getting a gait analysis can be a good start. Consulting with professionals can provide a comprehensive understanding of your dog's health.
Seek Professional Help If excessive barking persists despite your best efforts, consider seeking the help of a professional dog trainer or behaviourist. They can provide personalised guidance and support.
Rule Out Health Issues Schedule a check-up with your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions that may be contributing to your dog's barking.
