Why Do Dogs Bark So Much? 7 Possible Reasons
Pet parent or not, everyone knows dogs can bark! While many may bark at the sight of squirrels or new people, sometimes it might seem like they’re barking for no reason at all.
Here are some of the most common explanations for why dogs bark and how you can help keep this behavior under control.
#1: Excitement
Dogs may bark excitedly when you come home or when they hear a familiar noise, such as a jingling leash or a treat bag opening. Yipping, yowling, and howling are some of the most common ways dogs express their enthusiasm.
Excited barks are typically high pitched or mid-range in sound and will often be accompanied by a wagging tail and alert, happy body language. It’s also common for excited dogs to spin in circles or rapidly tap their feet!
#2: They Want Something
Another reason dogs may bark at you is because they want your attention—and are willing to, bark until they get!. Your dog’s body language will appear more relaxed, with a wagging straight tail and their ears in a natural or attentive position.
It’s best to be especially careful how you react to this kind of attention-seeking behavior, as it may teach your dog that barking is an effective way to get something they want (like treats).
#3: Boredom
When dogs are bored, they may bark to capture your attention or encourage you to play with them.
If your furry friend isn’t mentally or physically stimulated enough, they may also begin to display common dog behavioral issues. Daily walks and games are perfect for helping prevent dog boredom. You can also help curb potentially destructive behaviors by offering your pup an occupying chew toy!
#4: Fear, Anxiety, or Territorial Behavior
Defensive barking may occur when your dog is agitated by something or someone unfamiliar—such as a stranger, unfamiliar dog, or stressful situation they may perceive as threatening.
These continuous, incessant barks tend to sound deeper in tone than normal and are often accompanied by growling. Barking may also go along with rigid body posture and their head at attention. If a dog displays this type of behavior, they may attempt to bite.
#5: Pain
Dogs may bark when they are in pain to communicate their injury with you. This bark will be higher in pitch and may trail off into a whine.
They may react like this when you touch or attempt to pet them, indicating or anticipating pain. If your dog shows signs of pain or injury, it’s best to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
#6: Surprise
Reactive barking (also known as surprise barking) may occur when your dog is spooked or surprised. This type of barking is more of an impulsive reaction compared to the examples listed above, similar to how humans shout or scream when they are startled.
This is typically a singular bark, but it can often be followed by more barking—often higher pitched to reflect surprise.
#7: Canine Dementia
If you find your senior dog barking at nothing or something seemingly random, like corners or walls, this could potentially be a sign of canine dementia, according to PetMD. Canine dementia affects the minds of aging dogs—generally over the age of eleven—causing changes in awareness, deficits in learning and memory, and decreased responsiveness to stimuli.
If you see your dog developing symptoms such as disorientation, confusion, changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, restlessness, impaired memory, or changes in their sleep patterns, you should consult a veterinarian.
🐶 RELATED: 9 Quiet Dogs That Don’t Bark Much
How to Prevent Excessive Barking
Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate with one another and with us. But if you find your dog barking too excessively, there are a few ways to curb the behavior:
- ❓ Identify Why Your Dog is Barking: Before trying to train them out of the habit, you should first identify why your dog is barking. Learning what their barking means will help you be more effective in understanding and avoiding negative behaviors.
- 🗣️ Don’t “Bark” Back at Them: When trying to stop your dog’s excessive barking, it’s best not to shout at them to be quiet. To them, it’ll just sound like you’re barking back. Always keep your voice calm and your tone even when training your dog.
- 🦴 Teach Them a “Quiet” Command: Like teaching your dog how to “speak,” you can also teach them to be quiet. When your dog is barking, wait for them to take a break. As soon as they pause, give them a treat. Repeat these steps until you can predict when your dog is about to stop barking and give them a cue phrase like “quiet” or “stop” right before they do.
If you’ve tried everything and your dog still won’t stop barking, you can always consult an experienced trainer or other professional for advice or tips.
Keep the Noise Down
Barking is a completely common canine behavior, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t times where it can cause issues. Learning how your dog communicates and how to communicate back with them is the best way to not only understand them, but also to help prevent other destructive behaviors.
If finding out why dogs bark has piqued your interest, check out more articles about other common canine behaviors!
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