Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Kunthida
Why Do Dogs Bark? Understand Dog Barking and Control It…
Think again on why do dogs bark!
If you want to deal with this common dog behavior you have to understand the reasons that induce a dog to bark.
Some owners seem to want their dogs to stop barking, period: a good dog is a quiet dog, and the only time that barking’s permitted is when there’s a man in a black balaclava and stripy prison outfit, clutching a haversack marked ‘Swag’, clambering in through your bedroom window.
Dogs don’t see barking in quite the same light.
Your dog has a voice, just like you do, and she uses it just how you do too: to communicate something to the people she cares about.
I don’t think that barking is necessarily a bad thing – in fact, I think it’s encouraging that my dog wants to “talk” to me, enough so that I can overlook the stentorian qualities of his voice (which, in enclosed spaces, is positively overpowering) in favor of his desire to communicate with me.
It’s the thought that counts (even though I feel better equipped to stand by this sanctimonious belief when my ears are sheltered safely behind industrial-quality earplugs).
Unfortunately, the language barrier between dogs and humans is pretty well impermeable, which means it’s up to us to use the context, the body language of our dogs, and the circumstances of the vocalization to parse meaning from a volley of barks.
So why do dogs bark?
It’s not easy to say (it’s like trying to answer the question, “Why do humans talk?” in so many words). Let’s start off by saying that dogs bark for many different reasons.
A lot of it depends on the breed: some dogs were bred to bark only when a threat is perceived (this is true of guarding breeds in particular, like Rottweilers, Dobermans, and German Shepherds).
Some were bred to use their voices as a tool of sorts, to assist their owners in pursuit of a common goal (sporting breeds such as Beagles and Bloodhounds, trained to ‘bay’ when they scent the quarry), and some dogs just like to hear themselves talk (take just about any of the toy breeds as an example of a readily-articulate dog!).
However, all-breed specificities cast aside, there are some circumstances where just about any dog will give voice:
* She’s bored
* She’s lonely
* She’s hungry, or knows it’s time for a meal
* Something is wrong/someone is near the house
* She’s inviting you to play
* She sees another animal
* She needs the toilet
If your dog is barking for any of these reasons, it’s not really realistic for you to try to stop her: after all, she’s a dog, and it’s the nature of all dogs to bark at certain times and in certain situations.
Presumably, you were aware of this when you adopted your friend (and, if total silence was high on your list of priorities, you’d have bought a pet rock, right?).
Of course, there are times when barking isn’t only unwarranted, it’s downright undesirable. Some dogs can use their voices as a means of manipulation. Take this situation as an example:
You’re lying on the couch reading a book. Your dog awakes from a nap and decides it’s time for a game. She picks up her ball, comes over, and drops it in your lap.
You ignore her and keep on reading. After a second of puzzled silence, she nudges your hand with her nose and barks once, loudly. You look over at her – she assumes the ‘play bow position (elbows near the floor, bottom in the air, tail waving) and pants enticingly at you. You return to your book.
She barks again, loudly – and, when no response is elicited, barks again. And this time, she keeps it up. After a minute or so of this, sighing, you put down your book (peace and quiet are evidently not going to be a component of your evening, after all), pick up the ball, and take her outside for a game of fetch. She stops barking immediately.
I’m sure you know that respect is an essential part of your relationship with your dog.
You respect her, which you demonstrate by taking good care of her regardless of the convenience of doing so, feeding her nutritious and tasty food, and showing your affection for her in ways that she understands and enjoys. In order for her to be worthy of your respect, she has to respect you, too.
Something that many kind-hearted souls struggle to come to terms with is that dog ownership is not about equality: it’s about you being the boss, and her being the pet.
Dogs are not children; they are most comfortable and best-behaved when they know that you are in charge. A dog has to respect your leadership to be a happy, well-adjusted, and well-behaved pet.
In the situation above, there was no respect being shown by the dog. She wasn’t inviting her owner to play; she was harassing her owner to play. In fact, I’d even say bullying.
And even worse, the behavior was being reinforced by the owner’s capitulation – effectively, giving in to this behavior taught her that to get what she wants, she has to make a noise – and she has to keep it up until her goal is achieved.
Affection and play-times are obviously necessary aspects of life with a dog, but they have to be doled out on your own terms. If she learns that she can get what she wants by barking, then your house is going to become a Noise Pollution Zone (and this is not going to endear you to your neighbors, either).
To prevent this bullying behavior in your dog from assuming a familiar role in her repertoire of communications, you have to prove to her that you’re not the kind of person that can be manipulated so easily.
It’s simple to do this: all you have to do is ignore her. I’m not talking about passive ignorance, where you pay her no attention and simply continue with whatever it was you were doing – you need to take more of an active role.
This means conveying to her through your body language that she is not worthy of your attention when she acts in such an undesirable manner.
The absolute best and most effective thing for you to do in this case is to give her the cold shoulder. When she starts trying to ‘bark you’ into doing something for her, turn your back on her straight away.
Get up, avert your eyes and face, and turn around so your back is towards her. Don’t look at her, and don’t talk to her – not even a “no”. She’ll probably be confused by this, and will likely bark harder.
This is particularly true if you’ve given in to her bully-barking in the past – the more times you’ve reinforced the behavior, the more persistent she’s going to be. In fact, the barking will almost certainly get a lot worse before it gets better – after all, it’s worked for her in the past, so it’s understandable that she’ll expect it to work again.
Learn More About Why Do Dog Bark
As in all aspects of dog training, consistency is very important.
You must ensure that you don’t change your mind halfway through and give in to what she wants – because by doing so, you’re teaching her to be really, really persistent (“OK, so I just need to bark for ten minutes instead of five to get a walk,” is the message she’ll get).
But what can you do in other situations where bullying isn’t an issue and you just want her to stop the racket?
If you want to get the message across that you’d like her to cease fire and be quiet, the most effective thing you can do is to use your hands.
No, I’m not talking about hitting her: this is a perfectly humane, impact- and pain-free method of conveying that what you require right now are peace and quiet.
Here’s what you do: when she’s barking, give her a second to ‘get it out of her system’ (it’s a lot kinder, and a lot more effective, to give her a chance – however brief – to express herself before asking her to be quiet).
If she doesn’t calm down under her own steam, reach out and clasp her muzzle gently, but firmly, in your hand. She’ll try to shake you off, or back away, so you can place your other hand on her collar to give you greater control.
This method is useful for two reasons: firstly, it effectively silences the barking (since no dog, no matter how loud, can bark with her mouth shut!).
Secondly, it reinforces your authority: you’re showing her through direct physical action that you’re a benevolent but firm leader who will brook no-nonsense, and who won’t balk when it comes to enforcing your guidance.
Hold onto her muzzle and collar until she’s stopped trying to break free: only when she calms down and stops wriggling does it mean that she’s accepted your authority. When she’s still, hold on for one or two more seconds, then let her go and praise her.
In addition to this short-term fix, there are also a few things you can do to reduce your dog’s need to bark in the first place. The number-one cause for unwanted barking (as in, the kind of barking that’s repetitive and is directed at nothing) is nervous, agitated energy – the kind she gets from not getting enough exercise.
Most dogs function best with one and a half hours’ exercise every day, which is a considerable time commitment for you. Of course, this varies from dog to dog, depending on factors like breed, age, and general level of health.
You may think that your dog is getting as much exercise as she needs, or at least as much as you can possibly afford to give her – but if her barking is coupled with an agitated demeanor (fidgeting, perhaps acting more aggressively than you’d expect or want, restlessness, destructive behavior) then she almost definitely needs more.
Fortunately, the fix for this problem is pretty simple: you’ll just have to exercise her more. Try getting up a half-hour earlier in the morning – it’ll make a big difference.
If this is absolutely impossible, consider hiring someone to walk her in the mornings and/or evenings. And if this is impossible too, then you’ll just have to resign yourself to having a loud, frustrated, and agitated dog (although whether you can resign her to this state remains to be seen).
The second most common cause of excessive vocalization in dogs is too much ‘alone time. Dogs are social animals: they need lots of attention, lots of interaction, and lots of communication. Without these things, they become anxious and on edge.
If you’re at home with your dog, you’re not paying attention to her, and she’s spending a lot of time barking at what appears to be nothing, she’s probably bored and lonely and would benefit from a healthy dose of affection and attention.
Recommended reading
If you’d like more information on unwanted behaviors that your dog’s exhibiting, you’ll probably be interested in taking a look at Secrets to Dog Training.
It’s a complete, A-Z manual for the responsible dog owner, and deals with recognizing, preventing, and dealing with just about every problem dog behavior under the sun. You can check out Secrets to Dog Training by clicking HERE!
Stop Dog Barking VIDEO: Learn How To Train a Dog Not to Bark!!! [Easy…]
My Dog Barks Steadily what does she want?
Dogs bark because we humans desire our dogs to bark. For years our domestication process and selective breeding have permitted our dogs to develop their barking abilities.
Wolves don’t bark Barking was further developed in dogs so as to shock trespassers or to help the master out (i.e. On farms to assist in gathering the sheep).
Most dogs simply bark to speak, to attract interest, or simply to show their excitement. Training and lifestyle are important factors in teaching the dog the easy way to communicate with its master.
If you reward your dog for barking, he’s going to continue to do so. The best thing is to figure out what your dog is trying to tell you and go from there.
If you’ve a dog that barks excessively, try to work out what he is trying to tell you. If it is out of a need for attention, the way to stop the cycle is to hang about for him to be quiet and then give him the awareness he has a need for.
By acknowledging the barking, you strengthen it. Waiting till he quiets will teach him that he attracts plenty of attention when he is not barking.
Some dogs are intensely territorial. They can bark at not simply a person approaching, but someone they see walking across the street or on the next block.
The easiest way to stop this is to distract him when he begins to bark. Catch his attention with a treat or by playing. Each time the bark cycle is broken, it sends the message that quiet will get the most reward.
Taking the time to discover what your dog is communicating will end in less stress for you and him. He is going to get desirable attention and you’ll get quiet. It is a situation you both win.
If all else fails it is easy to get a bark collar for your dog and that will assist in the training. Almost all of the time they learn real fast. I’ve got a collar and put it on my dog and she recalls what will happen if she barks too loud. I don’t even have batteries in it anymore.
My Lucy has always enjoyed Dog Training NYC. On their net site, they explain more about Tips For Dog Training
VIDEO – How to TEACH ANY DOG to STOP BARKING Humanely, Effectively, and Naturally!
No Barking Please! Handling Attention Seeking Dogs
Handling a new puppy’s loud barking can be quite unnerving, especially for a brand new dog owner. Most new dog owners are not prepared for a young puppy’s intense barking and yelping.
Some puppies never quiet down, not even at night. Some serious training will eliminate the need to buy a lifelong supply of earplugs!
Being alone is just too much for a puppy that has been used to being in the company of his mommy and his littermates. This could also mean that not having you around even for a split second could make him cry for hours!
What can you do when faced with this situation? Running to your puppy to soothe and caress him every time he cries only feeds this behavior and creates a spoiled dog.
On the other hand, if you ignore him and let him bark incessantly, your family and anyone else within earshot will become highly aggravated.
Balancing your display of affection can be tricky. Below are some tips to guide you:
yelling will only make things worse. Never yell at your puppy. You’ll only be helping him harbor anxiety which will lead to more ‘yapping’. An anxious puppy will have difficulty becoming loyal to you.
2. Get an item called a “teaching lead,” available at many pet-related stores, which enables your puppy to be around you at all times in the house.
Refrain from having ‘long, sweet and emotional goodbyes’. Caressing your puppy too much before you leave will cause separation anxiety to him. Avoid being so overly excited too when you see him after you arrive at home. It is better to just enter casually and leave in the same manner too.
Get a small tin can, put a few pennies there. When you leave your puppy and you know that he will be crying, throw it. The noise from the tin can will distract the puppy’s attention. It is a quick and cheap diversion technique that works every time.
Have a visit to Ed Randall’s site to learn more about dog training tools, he has helped hundreds of dog owners train their dogs and his awesome obedience dog training will surely make your friends wonder how you taught your dog.
VIDEO: Teach Dog to Stop Barking
Managing Your Dog Barking Problems
There are quite a few problematic behaviors a dog could have, and one of the worst problems is dog barking.
There are plenty of causes behind a dog who barks, and the reasons behind it should be examined carefully so that the dog barking can be brought to an end. In all cases, barking is the result of some type of environmental factor.
For example, a dog may bark to demonstrate its dominance over other dogs or animals in the area. The dog might be looking to establish his grounds or just barking for the sheer fun of it.
Barking can be problematic for some dogs who have never been properly socialized with other dogs, and so they bark to get more attention from their owners.
Curing the Problem
There are plenty of dog owners who make the barking problem worse by offering a reward to stop their barking, even if it means offering negative attention. It’s absolutely essential for a dog to be taught that barking is simply unacceptable, and the owner won’t reward this type of behavior.
Some dog owners react to their dog’s barking by repeatedly yelling at the animal, but this is an only more negative reinforcement for bad behavior.
When a dog is barking in the yard and his owner allows him to come indoors, this also supports their negative conduct, thus resulting in the escalation and worsening of that behavior.
Comforting a barking dog or giving it a doggy treat to quiet it down is yet another way of reinforcing a dog barking problem, which is not going to stop.
There are a few training techniques you could use to fix a dog barking problem. One of the first strategies is to remain calm and not react when the dog begins barking at something ordinary, like a doorbell or a ringing phone.
When the doorbell or telephone rings, a dog owner needs to remain where they are and not respond in any way, thus indicating to the dog that they should not be anxious or alert about those noises.
During your dog training period, it’s a good idea to let the phone and doorbell ring frequently so that the dog can grow accustomed to the sound. Eventually, it won’t react when it hears household sounds.
There are also methods for avoiding dog barking issues when the owner is away from home. The first way is to be sure your dog has always had plenty of exercise and is surrounded by enough toys, which will keep it busy and calm.
Do not immediately give attention to a dog that was barking while you were out, wait until he has stopped, and is in a calmer state, before you give him any attention.
The dog should receive praise when it isn’t barking, and when it begins barking some type of negative association should occur in response, like the sounds from a bark collar or a sharp noise.
Stop Dog Barking With These Tips
Getting a family dog is often a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Having a dog that is obedient and effectively trained is a crucial aspect in this.
There are lots of ideas and methods when it comes to appropriate and effective dog training and this is also certainly the situation with regards to strategies to stop dog barking.
This can be accomplished at every age, however, it is best to start any kind of training when the dog is at a rather young age.
They’re easier to train and they should have the ability to retain the training far better. After the dog is a few years of age, it will be much more reluctant to learn and comply with new orders and instructions.
A number of people think that any training that is to be carried out should only come from certified dog trainers. They’ll have the ability to provide a specific curriculum and step-by-step approach that will definitely develop the behaviors of any dog.
When looking for a trainer to help with dog barking problems, there are actually several points that must be taken into account. The trainer really should have a comprehensive background in dealing with a wide range of dogs and not simply be a person running an obedience course from their home.
The training location should be clean and well lit and there will need to be the chance to obtain personal references and recommendations from prior and present customers.
It is also a great strategy to go with a trainer who is recognized by the American Kennel Club and gives programs like their Canine Good Citizen.
Training is never complete. Even after the classroom instruction, reinforcement should be consistently carried out to stop dog barking, otherwise, any positive results that were accomplished are going to be null and void. Your dog will undoubtedly return to old behaviors when no consistent follow-through is done.
The application of shock collars is an effective method to assist with this. These are totally safe and do not physically hurt the dog. The total amount of stimulation on these types of collars is more of a nuisance to them instead of being painful.
Based on the type of collar that is bought, you’ll find choices for intensity amounts as well as the addition of positive sounds. If the dog is doing something unwanted such as barking, they will get a light shock.
Certain collars can produce a warning tone just before the shock. Then, if the dog is good, with the press of a button, they will get a positive sound. Using treats together with this is helpful.
There’s no fast and simple technique to stop dog barking. It takes patience and persistence on the part of the owner, however, it is certainly well worth it.
⇑ Go to the Table of Contents – Dog Barking⇑
No Barking Zone – Handle An Attention-Seeking Barker
Handling a new puppy’s loud barking can be quite unnerving, especially for a brand new dog owner. Most new dog owners are not prepared for a young puppy’s intense barking and yelping.
Some puppies never quiet down, not even at night. Some serious training will eliminate the need to buy a lifelong supply of earplugs!
This is a phase that all puppies go through. They bark and yelp like crazy because they are afraid to be alone. Since just came from a life of being surrounded by family 224/7, living with a human is a big change and the puppy needs time for adjustment. If you were left alone, wouldn’t you be barking too?
How will you react when this happens? Don’t rush to your puppies side everytime he makes some noise, unless you want to create a spoiled dog. Well, you can’t just let him keep barking either.
It’s a tough situation to negotiate, but here are some tips to help you.
1. Play deaf. Yes. Did you hear that? Play deaf. Ignore his barking and resist the urge to yell at him because this would only cause more anxiety.
2. A teaching lead is useful to have so get one. Attched to the teaching lead, your puppy will have to go wherever you go.
3. As you head out, try not to take too long saying goodbye to your puppy. When you arrive, don’t make such a big deal of it. the more quiet, the better. Be careful that your dog doesn’t get used to being pampered all the time
4. Put a few pennies in a small tin can. When you go to leave your dog’s side and she starts barking, simply throw the can in her area. It will create a startling noise while at the same time diverting her attention. It’s a great, quick solution and it only costs a few pennies!
I learned about dog training hand signals from Ed Randall’s site where you can find out all about dog training and what it can do for you.
The Best Ways To Stop Puppy Barking
In advance of finding a dog of any variety, it really is necessary to know that any training you may want to accomplish will require some time and persistence.
Not one of the behaviors you would like to teach your dog will happen right away. Together with the right mindset and facts, though, you will be in a position to stop puppy barking successfully.
Ideally well before you selected your puppy you looked into its particular breed. In order to cope with a barking dog you must initially recognize why he’s barking, and his breed may establish this and thus offer you assistance in stopping it.
As an example, guard dogs (for instance German Shepherds, Dobermans, and Rottweilers) will bark when they view a threat. Hunting dogs (for instance Beagles and Bloodhounds) may bark at the scent of prey. Realizing the reason why he’s barking will likely be the key to helping him control it.
Whenever canines bark they have a reason for it. Barking is communicating for a dog. Besides the breed behaviors outlined above, he may perhaps also be showing you he’s bored stiff, lonely, hungry or thirsty, wants to go out, wants your particular attention, feels threatened, or maybe needs physical exercise.
The number 1 and 2 reasons for increased puppy barking are shortage of activity and being left on its own, respectively. One of the most basic methods to stop puppy barking is always to take great care of him. Whenever he is fed, played with, talked to, taken outdoors often, and loved, he’ll bark much less in general.
Having said that, there are conditions when the puppy barking may require some extra support. This is when correct puppy instruction could be rather useful.
The very first guideline in all puppy training is that you are the master. Canines are pack animals and desire to understand exactly who the leader is. Your own puppy will believe it’s him until finally, you educate him differently, and you have to.
One particular way to accomplish this in relation to barking is basically to ignore him while he barks. You glance at him so that he understands you can hear him, then turn away and ignore him. He will learn that you are in charge and you will not offer him interest while he barks. Given that your interest is precisely what he craves most, he will want to quit.
Yet another training recommendation is to firmly hold his muzzle closed and say calmly, “quiet”. You can choose whichever term you choose, but be consistent and state it every time you stop him from barking.
Eventually, you will be able to simply put your hand up and say the crucial word and he will understand. Normally make use of visual and spoken commands while teaching your puppy; it is actually how dogs understand best.
In order to effectively stop puppy barking, you must never shout at him. He’ll misinterpret this as you actually barking and imagine that the noise is acceptable.
Additionally, be patient and consistent. It usually requires some time to educate a puppy in virtually any behavior, but really worth it if the wanted outcome is achieved. Happy dog owners make happy puppies.
One Easy Trick To Stop Dog Barking
Dogs bark because we humans want our dogs to bark. For years our domestication process and selective breeding have allowed our dogs to develop their barking abilities.
Wolves don’t bark Barking was further developed in dogs in order to scare intruders or to help the master out (i.e. on farms to assist in gathering the sheep).
Most dogs simply bark to communicate, to get attention, or simply to show their excitement. Training and lifestyle are important factors in teaching the dog how to communicate with its master.
If you reward your dog for barking, he will continue to do so. The best thing is to figure out what your dog is trying to tell you and go from there.
If you have a dog that barks excessively, try to figure out what he is trying to tell you. If it is out of a need for attention, the way to break the cycle is to wait for him to be quiet and then give him the attention he needs. By acknowledging the barking, you reinforce it. Waiting until he quiets will teach him that he gets attention when he is not barking.
Some dogs are extremely territorial. They will bark at not only a person approaching but someone they see walking across the street or on the next block. The best way to stop this is to distract him when he starts to bark. Catch his attention with a treat or by playing. Every time the bark cycle is broken, it sends the message that quiet will get the most reward.
Ultimately it is important to learn why your dog is barking. Once you know what your dog is barking about, then you can redirect, refocus or reward your dog for his barking. It’s up to you to take the appropriate action depending on the situation.
Can’t get your dog to stop jumping? Socialize your dog and learn more tips at Colleen Tess’ Dog Training Academy for K9.
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