Even the best dogs can have trouble with barking excessively. It is both a natural reaction for them, and a powerful tool that dogs use to communicate with both their owners and other dogs. However, without proper bounds set in place, your dog may decide to overuse this tool, to the annoyance of you, your family and potentially your neighbors. In truth, there are a variety of reasons dogs may start barking, and many of them are rooted in positive behaviors. Knowing why your dog barks and how to correct excessive barking can save you and those around you from major headaches.
One common source of dog barking is watchdog barking. It is not true for all dogs, but many canines will consider it their duty to warn their owner about impending threats and will bark when unfamiliar people approach your home. This instinct is largely positive, but many dogs will continue barking even after the guest has entered or may bark at things such as passing cars and people going for a walk. You can curb this behavior by training your dog to stop barking on a command, such as “stop” or “that’s enough”. After the door has been rung and your dog has barked once, give them the auditory cue of your choosing while also enticing them with a treat, only giving it to them after they stop barking. Soon your dog will associate the audio cue with the behavior and the reward. It may be wise to get a friend a help you by repeatedly knocking on your door for a few hours of training,
Another major source of dog barking is fear. Dogs will naturally bark when afraid of things they find threatening. Once again, this is a good and natural response; the problem comes when your dog sees visitors and other dogs as threats. The best way to handle this kind of barking is to try to introduce your furry friend into more social situations with other dogs and people. A dog park is great for this; all kinds of people and dogs will be there, giving your dog many opportunities to socialize and interact.
Dogs will also bark to request something, such as food, water, a toy, etc. A dog letting you know it needs to be let out with a quick bark is fine, but it can quickly become aggravating if your dog incessantly barks around dinner time, demanding food. You simply need to be firm, and let your dog know that it will not receive whatever it is asking for until after it has stopped barking. Eventually your dog will learn that repeatedly barking is counterproductive and will only bark to initially get your attention.
Dogs can sometimes bark simply because they are bored. Dogs are pack animals by nature, and do not always handle large periods of alone time well. In family situations where extended periods of alone time for the dog are necessary, the best course of action is to provide your dog with toys to entertain them while you are gone, and make sure to spend time with them when you return. This will help the dog fulfill both his attention span and his need to socialize with others.
These are just some of the reasons your dog can bark; as one your dog’s primary communication tools, the reasons are nearly endless. However, these reasons for excessive barking are common, and can be handled if you know what the initial cause is. Hopefully these tips will allow you to have a healthier relationship with your canine companion, one with less shouting and more spending good time with your furry friend.
