Why do your dogs bark? 15 Reasons of dogs barking

As a dog keeper and lover you would be worried about your dogs bark. Because barking of dogs is very noisy and has bad effects on sleep and hearing.

Mostly dogs owners try their best to train dogs to be human friendly, social with dogs, security, obedience and many other dog trainings but they don’t try to understand their dogs language. Infact barking is a talking and voice communication of the dogs.

Some owners become happy with dog barks because they think it security alert barking. But there may be some other reasons behind this barking, and dogs express their issues in the form of vocal communication depending on the specific barking stimuli.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

As a human being we the people can talk and convey our message to each other. Same like the dogs do when they bark then they mean to convey their message with different tone and behaviour of the barking.

There are many communication ways of dogs like body language, odor and vocal communication like barking, growls and whines. Sometimes, dog’s barking can be excessive, sometimes normal and less, but there are distinct reasons for each type of barking. There are below some examples of canine barking.

Example 1:

Your dog do more baking and you provide it with a treat then next time it will bark more for it’s treat benefits. It depends upon your dog training that how do you train your pupp for getting its treat like bark more, sit down or stand.

Example 2:

In case your dog might be injured or sick and it will start barking more. Now this time your dog needs injury or illness treatment and for this it is barking more.

Dogs vocal communication or barking has specific meanings for each type of barking. So, every dog owner must try to give time and learn the behaviour of his dog, then with the passage of time he will be familiar with his dogs activities and barking types.

There are following reasons explained for that dogs do barking;

1. Dogs’ Primary Ways of Communication

Same like humans talking, dogs also have primary vocal communication way in the form of barking. It is a natural process that every animal talks in its own talking way that god has given it. The vocal communication of dogs is barking, growls and whines or crying.

Dogs perform different types of the barking at different scenario and causes. Each type of the barking has its own specific meanings.

Dogs do barking for multiple reasons like attention seekig, excitement, fear, playful and enjoy mood.

Dogs growling has many reasons like stress, discomfort, playing and showing affection to the owner or other fellow dogs.

The dogs whining or crying is vocal communication of dogs, it also has much reasons like feeling pain, sick, anxiety, excitement and asking for attention to the owner.

2. Alert & Territorial Barking: Protecting Home and Family

Every animal loves his territory, home or living area, it is a natural thing. Same like the dogs love and care their territory and home and they excessively bark when a person, a dog or any other animal enters his territory.

Dogs become much possessive for their territory and living area. They feel themselves unsafe and in danger when other animals or dogs approach their living area. Specially bitch or female dogs bark so much when they give birth to her puppies and they protect much their puppies doing barking.

The area that dog owner alots to his dog maybe a room, a gearage, or any older place where the dog mostly live is called territory of the dog. But along with this territory the complete house of the owner and surrounding area is also dogs territory. And dogs start barking when a strange person, a dog or any animal enters his territory or area.

3. Fear, Anxiety & Startle Responses: Barking from Stress

There are many factors that cause fear and anxiety in dogs and then they start barking. These fearful and anxiety factors may originate from the genetics, sometimes from the environment and sometimes from past experiences.

Example 1: Genetically Fearful and Anxiety Dogs Barking

Some dog breeds like Border Collies, Greyhounds and Shetland Sheepdogs are highly attentive genetically to sudden movements and noise because these dogs have higher alertness and activeness levels. They bark when they hear sudden movements and noise.

German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are genetically much sensitive to noise factors like thunderstorms and fireworks or explosions, so they start barking during these happenings.

Example 2: Environment Fear & Anxiety for Dogs Bark

The puppies that are not exposed to different people and environment they become fearful and start barking when unkown people or animals approach to them.

Example 3: Past Experiences Fear and Anxiety Barking

There may occur some bad experiences in the past like dogs sepration from it’s puppies or other fellow dogs or any dogs living place can cause fear and anxiety in the dogs and they do barking when anyone of these things happen.

Sometimes, dogs may face negative experiences like abuse, beaten from owner, attack form other dogs – these all leave long lasting emotional scars that cause ongoing fear or anxiety in dogs. And dogs start barking due to anxiety and fear.

4. Boredom & Loneliness: Barking as an Outlet for Excess Energy

When dogs become bored and feel alone then this situation causes frustration for them and they start barking. Barking is only the way to release their excess energy, entertain themselves, and seek attention.

Same like humans boredom and loneliness is really bad thing for the human beings, this same happens in case of the dogs. Dogs need proper care and attention of their owners and want to live happy and healthy life.

Example 1: Boredem related Barking

The dog breeds like Border Collies, Labradors and Huskies are very active dogs and they need daily exercise, things to play like toys, interaction of owner and proper playtime. If these dogs are not getting these necessities then it causes boredom for them and they start barking.

Example 2: Loneliness related Barking

There are some dog breeds that need human company like Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Border Collie and German Shepherds. When there is lack of human company or no company then these dogs become frustrated and they bark because of loneliness.

Thus you as a dog owner must be careful about your dogs to provide them proper exercise, healthy food, toys, playtime and your interaction or company so that your beloved canine may live happy and healthy and it has no need of barking.

5. Excitement Dog Barking: Happy, Playful, and Overstimulated

Excitement barking is common in dogs and it is harmless behavior that occurs at the time when dogs are happy, enjoying, playful and overstimulated. When dogs are happy, excited and playful they bark usually by wagging tails, jumping happily and playful body language.

The phenomena of excitement barking occurs when dogs say greetings to their owners, waiting for outside walk, meeting with other dogs and playtime. Actually this is the most happy and pleasurable moment and dogs naturally spend this monent by barking.

Remember, excitement barking is not misbehavior or anything bad, it is just a happy signal and vocal communication of dogs. The dogs that bark due to excitement and greetings might also whine sometimes.

Sometimes excitement barking becomes excessive and pet parents can control this by teaching their dogs calm greetings, reward their quiet behavior. Also make sure regular exercise, consistant training, proper interactions and mental stimulation are the factors that help controlling excessive excitement barking.

6. Attention-Seeking Barking: When Your Dog Wants Something

It is natural that humans and animals both need attention, care and affection for their happy life. Dogs also need attention, affection and care from their owners related to food, walking, toys for playing and generally lovely interactions, to get these attentions dogs do barking. Therefore, this is called attention-seeking barking of the dogs.

Example 1: Barking for Treat

When a dog is barking continuously and the owner gives him a treat then dog stops barking and eats it’s treat. In fact next time the dog will bark for getting the treat and same rewards. In this way dog will bark for treat when not served, it will be food and treat attention-seeking barking.

Example 2: Barking for Attention & Playing

A dog will bark when owner is not giving him time and attention, by barking dog actually asks the owner to give him time and play with him. When owner gives his dog proper time and brings him outside for walk then dog becomes happy and fresh. In future dog will repeat this paly attention-seeking barking when he will be ignored.

Actually dogs are social animals and they need attention, barking becomes necessary way of saying, “Notice me!” The common triggers of barking are to go outside, treat and playtime.

Treatment of Attention-Seeking Barking

To manage this attention-seeking barking owner should not respond quickly to barking. Owner should wait for calm behavior, then provide treat and take outside for walking. In this way attention-seeking barking will be controlled with time and consistency.

7. Greetings Barking: For getting Rewards

By the nature dogs are very social and friendly animals, they express their excitement and love in the form of barking when meet people and other animals. This is called greeting barking and it is done by tail wagging and jumping happily.

Example 1: Greeting Barking

When owner of the dog goes to other city and comes back after some days then dog starts barking loudly in a welcoming mood. At this time owner gives treat or any reward then dog becomes habitual of greeting barking.

It all depends upon the owner whether he likes this behavior of his dog, then well & good. If the owner doesn’t like this behavior, then he should avoid immediately responding to barking. He should wait until the dog stops barking and calms down, then give him a treat. And meet warmly and spend good time with your canine companion.

8. Compulsive & Habitual Barking: Repetitive Barking

Sometimes dogs develop a habbit to bark in a repeated way without any clear reason and any external trigger. It is self-reinforcing barking habbit and named as compulsive or habitual barking. It gives satisfaction and relief to dogs and they become habitual.

Causes of Compulsive Barking:

• Lack of attention: Dogs that are left alone for longer periods and not given attention may start barking, and this barking becomes repeated.
• Stress & anxiety: Stress of environment and separation anxiety can cause repetitive barking. 
• Behavior disorder: In rare cases compulsive barking can be a sign of underlying behavioral issues that can be treated by the intervention of dog behaviorist professionals.

Treatment of Compulsive Barking:

This compulsive barking can be treated by increasing dog exercise because tired dog can’t bark more. Never give treat or reward when dog is barking, instead wait for the silence and then give treat. Make your dog adopt calm behavior and teach a “quiet” command by rewarding.

9. Environmental Triggers: Noises, Animals, and Hidden Stimuli

The dogs have very sharp senses, and the sounds and stimuli that are ordinary for humans might be very alarming for dogs. There are many environmental triggers that cause dog barking like strange sounds, nearby animals, and some other stimuli that owners can’t even notice.

Example 1: Noises for Dog Barking

Dogs start barking at sounds like doorbells, sirens, fireworks and even the rustling of leaves. They bark to inform the owners and also in response to unexpected sounds and noises.

Example 2: Animals Stimulate Dog Bark

When there is sound, smell and sight of other animals like dogs, cats, squirrels then dogs also bark in response.

Example 3: Other Stimuli for Dogs Bark

There are some other environmental stimuli that cause dog barking like high frequency sounds, unfamiliar scents and distant car door slamming sounds etc.

Dog Training for Noise, Animals & Other Stimuli Sounds

The owners should expose dogs to unfamiliar sounds, sights and animals and reward them for calm behaviors. Provide dogs with good mental stimulation, quiet training and exercises to make them healthy and happy.

10. Frustration induced Barking

The dog barking when dogs are blocked, confined, and kept away from things they strongly desire is called frustration-induced barking. Dogs are tied up and their access to playmates is restricted. This is high-pitched and repetitive barking.

Example 1: Leash Frustration Barking

The leash frustration barking is a barking when a dog wants to play with other dogs but is held with a leash and fence.

Example 2: Barking for Limited freedom

When dogs are kept in small and limited spaces, yards and crates for longer periods then they may develop frustration and bark.

Manage Frustration Barking

Give your dog freedom regulary, let him play with other dogs by removing leash and fence. Provide daily exercise and mental stimulation. Keep your dog in open space. Teach dogs the commands “quiet”, “wait”, “stay” and “leave it” to control the emotions.

Other Health Problems that Cause Barking

Besides the above mentioned environmental causes for dog barking, there are many health-related reasons that cause barking in dogs. They are explained below in detail.

1. Pain or Injury

Sometimes, dogs bark suddenly and excessively without behavior factors, this barking is in response to pain, injury and physcial discomfort. As dogs can’t talk like humans, so they communicate in the form of barking.

Pain and injury make dogs uncomfortable and vulnerable, therefore dogs do bark excessively. Acute pains in dogs like sprains, cuts and fractures. Chronic pains are like arthritis and dental diseases. Body part inflamation also is a pain that causes the dogs barking.

Common Signs of Pain Barking

• Dog barking when touched a specific body part.
  
• Sudden barking increase or whining without visible trigger.
  
• Stiffness, limping, and difficulty in moving
  
• Slower or reluctant to eat, play, or be active
  
• Changes in posture, breathing, and sleeping habits

Treatment of Pain Related Barking

• Schedule a veterinary check-up – Only a professional can identify the cause of pain.
  
• Avoid punishment & correction – Scolding and punishing a dog is not a solution. It may create a more complex situation.
• Provide comfort and safety – Keep your dog calm and limit movement until the dog’s recovery.

2. Medical & Neurological Causes: When Health Drives Barking

Mostly dog barking is due to behavioral and environmental factors, but sometimes dogs health becomes a main factor for barking. Some medical and neurological conditions can cause excessive barking and restless situation in dogs.

There are below main medical and neurological causes for dog bark.

Vision & hearing loss : Dogs that can’t see or hear clearly may bark to get owner’s attention in case of fear, confusion and food related needs.

Endocrine disorders: Health conditions like hypothyroidism or cushing’s disease can cause anxiety & irritability, result in more barking.

Neurological disorders: Brain injuries, seizures, or nerve issues can trigger compulsive barking in dogs.

You have to notice the medical and neurological related barking issues in your dog and get a professional service to cure it.

3. Cognitive Dysfunction (Dog Dementia)

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) or dog dementia, is a common condition in older dogs that affects memory, awareness, and learning. When dogs are aged their brain functions change and it causes anxiety and confusion that result in more barking.

With the age dog’s brain memory is lost and they forget their normal routine and feel confusion and anxiety, so they bark specially at night. Dog dementia symptoms are disrupted sleep patterns, restless and lesser interactions with family members.

There is no sudden treatment for dog dementia, but routine exercise, walking and mental stimulation are helpful to slow down progress of this disease.

4. Anxiety Disorders

Same like humans, dogs also may face anxiety disorders that can change their behavior and emotions. These anxiety disorders can cause excessive barking, whining, destructive actions and trembling.

The main causes of anxiety disorders are feelings of fear, uncertainty and separation from their owners. Separation anxiety, social anxiety, and noise sensitivity are the most common types of dog or canine anxiety.

Separation anxiety: Dogs facing separation anxiety bark and howl when they are left alone.

Noise sensitivity: The dogs that face noise sensitivity become panic and nervous during thunderstorms or fireworks.

Social anxiety: Socially anxious dogs bark loudly when they see unknown people and animals.

The main causes of anxiety disorders are lack of socialization, past trauma and sudden life changes. The treatment of anxiety disorders involves positive reinforcement, regular exercise, walking, mental stimulation and safe living space. In severe cases, you have to consult with a vet behaviorist or professional dog trainer to treat your canine.

5. Digestive or Stomach Problems

Sometimes, the dogs start barking due to health issues like digestive disorders and stomach problems. When dogs feels nauseous, bloated, or face abdominal pain then they bark to tell or inform owner about the health problem.

The most common digestive and stomach issues that can cause dog barking are food allergies, gas, constipation, indigestion and gastrointestinal infections.

The symptoms of digestive and stomach issues are dogs bark after eating, refuse food, vomiting, diarrhea, restless, and lick their lips frequently.

Treatment of Digestive and Stomach Problems

If dogs start barking at mealtime (sudden digestive upset), then it’s recommended to consult a veterinarian for proper diagnosis. Always give your dog high quality and easily digestable food. You should avoid abrupt diet changes to maintain a healthy and calm digestive system of dog. It will help to treat digestive and stomach issues dog barking.

Does Dog Barking Have Meaning?

Yes always dogs barking have it’s meanings and purposes each time when a dog barks. Barking is a primary way of vocal communication of the dogs to express their emotions, alert owners, seek attention, and respond to their environment.

The tone, pitch and barking repetition are different depending upon the nature of the environmental factors that cause it. The barking tone, pitch and repetition tell that what the dog is feeling and trying to say.

Deep, Repetitive Dog Bark

When a dog is deeply barking in a repetitive way then it means that dog is warning and protecting his territory from unknown people and animals. The territory include owner home, dog’s living area and surroundings.

Same like humans, dogs are very possessive of their territory and home, and they don’t like the entry of other unknown people and animals into their territory. Therefore, dogs do barking deeply and in a repetitive way to protect their area.

Short, high-pitched Dog Barks

The short and high-pitched dog barking shows happiness and eagerness when dogs play. This short barking is indication of excitement, fun and attention-seeking behavior.

The dogs also do short barking when they want to go outside or they need the owner’s attention. Sometimes, it also mean mild frustration in the dogs.

Dogs show happy body language like playful jumping and wagging tail while short barking. You can observe this type of bark when you come at home at playtime and when your dog is playing with a toy or other fellow dog.

A Single Sharp Bark

When a dog barks in a single sharp way then it means an alert to a sudden sound or movement. At door slamming dog barking means that “Someone’s here!”

Continuous Dog barking

When the dogs are left alone for longer period of times then they continuously bark to express anxiety, loneliness, and frustration. This means that dogs want to communicate and tell that they are in stress and owner should give them company.

The dogs are social and friendly animals and they need attention from owner, good food, playtime, exercise, mental stimulation and toys for playing. When dogs don’t have these necessities then they bark and ask owner to give these things.

How to Accurately Identify Your Dog’s Bark Type (Observation Tips)

The barking of dogs in different situations has different meanings depending upon the type of triggers that cause barking. Each type of barking has its own meaning, emotional tone, and rhythm.

When owners learn and focus their dog barking tone, rhythm, and intensity, then they are able to fulfill their dog’s requirements and reduce the excessive barking. There are following factors to note for having a difference between different types of dog barking.

1. Observe the Barking Pitch and Tone

Dog barking pitch plays a major role for identification of bark type of the dogs.

• High-pitched barks usually signal happiness, excitement, playfulness, discomfort and grief etc.
• Deep and sharp pitch barking signals territorial and warning behavior in dogs.
• Repetitive barking indicates boredom and frustration in the dogs.

2. Note the Barking Frequency and Duration

Barking frequency and duration also tell the type and purpose of dog barking.

• Continuous dog barking indicates alert and anxiety-based barking of the dogs.
• Short barking bursts are related to happiness, playfulness and attention seeking of the dog owner. 

3. Observe Dog Body Language

You must observe dog body language while barking, it will be a barking type indicator.

• Dog barking with ears forward, tail up right, and a stiff body posture indicate alertness and protection against people and animals.
• Dogs barking with a relaxed body and tail wagging mean happiness, playfulness, friendliness and excitement. 
• When a dog is barking with signs of tension, pacing and body trembling, it indicates fear, confusion and anxiety.

4. Consider the Environment

When dogs bark, you need to identify the cause or trigger in their surroundings. A dog can bark in response to the sound of a door slamming, a doorbell, nearby animals, and unknown people entering the home.

You as a dog owner should pay attention at different stimuli in the surroundings that trigger dog barking, and have an eye on dog barking behavior. Then with the time you will be familiar with each barking type according to different environmental triggers.

5. Listen for Context Changes

The context of dog barking is very important to understand the cuase and type of bark. Dogs can change the barking context quickly in some bark sessions specially when they feel some danger and fearful things.

Example: A dog is barking at an unknown person or animal, it is an alert barking type. And the unknown person or animal doesn’t go away and stands in front of the dog, so the dog will bark more loudly and in a crying way, and alert barking will be changed to anxious whining.

You should focus on your dog barking sound, rhythm, body language, and barking context to understand the barking type. Proper observation helps you distinguish between different barking types like alert, happy, playful, anxious, and compulsive barking of dogs, and then you will respond accordingly.

How to Manage and Reduce Excessive Dogs Barking

Every time the dogs bark, they have a meaning behind that, and there are some triggers that cause this barking. As dogs are human-friendly pet animals, therefore, dog owners must be very careful about dog’s needs and must respond to their barking accordingly.

There are following ways to manage and reduce excessive barking in dogs.

1. If It’s Territorial Barking or Alarm Barking

Dogs are very possessive regarding their space, owner’s house, and their surroundings. So, they bark when they see or feel strangers people, and animals approaching in their territory.

They bark in response to the doorbell, door slamming, sudden unknown sounds and movement etc, and alert their owners about the happening of something.

In this way dog owners should identify the barking reason by the tone, rhythm, body language and repetition. And respond according to the situation, and signal the dog to keep quiet and everything is safe.

2. “Quiet” Dog Training

Excessive dog barking can badly affect the body and mental health of your dog. Therefore, train your dog to bark less by providing the dog with “quiet” dog training. This training is not overnight effective, but with time and consistency, you can achieve your goals.

Remember that “quiet” dog training is effective for environmental barking triggers like barking for alert & territory, attention-seeking, food needs, excitement, playful, exercise, and walking. It is not effective for medical and health-related problems like pain, injury, and stomach disorders. A professional vet can cure these health disorders.

Teach your dog to bark 3 to 4 times when unknown person or animals come on the door or pass with the territory. Train the dog bark for different times and ways at different environmental triggers.

When your dog barks then you should gently go to your dog and say “quiet” in clear and calm tone, hold his muzzle closed in your hands and repeat “quiet”. Then release his muzzle and go step away, ask him go away from door or window. Now ask dog to sit and give him a treat and let him enjoy the treat.

Repeat the above-mentioned process every time your dog starts barking at different environmental triggers. In this way, the dog will be habitual and you will be able to control excessive dog barking.

3. Greeting Barking

Dogs are really very human friendly and they mostly say welcome and greetings to the people and other dogs coming in the home. This type of barking is signal of happiness and excitement of the dogs to meet with people and other dogs.

When your dog starts barking at people that come at door, at people or dogs passing near your territory and surroundings, at people or dogs he sees through his fence, at people or dogs he sees at outside walks, and barking is accompanied with tail wagging, jumping and other happy signs, it means dog is saying “hello” to them.

Also dogs perform same happy and greeting barking with tail wagging and many other happy signs and excitement when family members come in the home after some time or some days. Actually dogs become happy for the family members arrival at home.

Treatment and Training

• People and Dogs Home Arrival: Train your dog to bark less at people and dogs arrival in home. Train dog to sit and stand when people and dogs come to home. In this way your dog will bark less and he will perform sit and stand at people and dogs arrival. 
• Give Toys: In case your dog likes toys then keep his favourite toy at the front door, teach him to pick up toy when people and dogs come to home. In this way the dog will hold a toy in his mouth and he will not be able to bark more. 
• At outside Walks: When you take your dog outside on walks then you should teach him that he should walk without barking and greeting other dogs and people walking. At this time you should reward your dog with treats like chicken and cheese. This will encourage quiet behavior.

4. Attention-Seeking Barking

Dogs are very attention seeking animals and they bark just for getting your attention regarding to their needs like water, food, treat, provision of toys, asking for take out for walks and exercises and many same needs. They find the ways to tell onwer about their needs in the form of barking and whining or crying.

When there is empty water bowl or dogs need food or treat then they bark and ask their owner to fill the bowl with water and provide food and treats. Because dogs have vocal communication in the form of barking, so they stare at owner and bark more for getting these needs.

Dogs also bark when they want to go outside for walking, exercise, and playing in parks or any outside area. When owners respond positively to each barking, the dogs adopt this barking habit next time to fulfill their needs.

Treatment of Attention Seeking Barking

When the dog is barking for water, food, treats, walks, or play, try never to respond so quickly. Instead, stare at the dog and say “quiet” in a happy and calm tone and attitude. Move step away from your dog and make him feel that his barking is ignored. Go to other room or leave the dog alone in a calm and good mood.

You should fill the water bowl and provide food and treats when your dog is quiet and calm. Always reward your dog’s quiet and calm behavior. There are so many rewards to give your dog to stop barking, like tasty chew bones, treats, hot dogs, and the same tasty and good foods.

In this way dog will learn that his barking is not fruitful and rewarding, so he will adopt a quiet and calm behavior with the passage of time. Maybe the dog will bark to get his needs, but he will be quiet soon because he knows that quiet and calm behavior will be rewarded.

5. Compulsive Dog Barking

The barking of a dog in a repetitive, longer intervals, fixed and rigid way, without any visible trigger and the situations that are not normal is called compulsive dog barking.

If your dog is barking for longer periods repeatedly, nothing is apparent, but at the things that wouldn’t disturb other dogs like shadows, mirrors, light flashes, open doors, and the sky etc, then it means your dog is compulsive barker.

Sometimes, the dog has repetitive barking along with other repetitive behaviors like jumping, spinning, and circling, which is also termed as compulsive dog barking.

Treatment of Compulsive Dog Barking

• Remove Leash: When your dog starts repetitive barking, then you should release him and remove the leash if he is tied. Let him move freely in a safe and fenced area. 
• Confine or Hide: If your dog is barking in repetitive way, then you should confine or hide the dog from exposure to any invisible barking trigger that causes compulsive barking.
• Exercise & Social Contact: If your dog is alone in your home, then loose him and provide exercise, walking, mental stimulation, and social interactions to live happily and calmly.

6. Socially Facilitated Barking

Naturally dogs are social and company lovers, so they bark in response when hearing voices of other dogs barking, and it is called socially facilitated barking. It is a natural way to respond the sounds and signals of environment and other dogs voices.

In jungle or wild areas socially facilitated barking helps dogs to inform each other about threats, coordinate group activities, and maintain contact over the distances.

In domestic areas, it happens in neighborhoods and nearby apartments when one dog barks at noise and a passerby, then other dogs hear this barking through windows, fences, and walls, and join this barking, creating a “chorus” of barks. Even the quiet dogs that are silent also bark by joining in this barking.

This is a natural behavior and can be excessive or disruptive if not managed properly. There are following solution to reduce this social facilitated barking.

• Provide regular physical exercise and mental stimulation to reduce this behavior.
  
• Use calming music and white noise to mask outside barking triggers.
  
• Teach “quiet” and “enough” commands with positive reinforcement.
  
• Minimize or finish exposure to barking causes like closing windows or using privacy fencing.

7. Dog Barks due to Boredom and Loneliness

When dogs are left alone and not given proper social interaction and playtime, they bark due to frustration and mental stress, it is called boredom and loneliness barking. In fact, barking becomes their way of filling the silence and releasing their excess energy.

Boredom barking: This boredom barking usually occours in active and intelligent dog breeds like Labrador Retriever, Border Collies and Huskies due to physical and mental problems. When they are not given playtime, toys, and exercise then they become bored and start repeatedly barking just to entertain themselves.

Loneliness barking: When dogs are left alone without attention and care, being social animals dogs become frustrated and develop stress, so they bark repeatedly hoping the owner will give them attention, time and other needs. These dog breeds are human loving like Shih Tzu, Golden Retrievers and Pugs.

Treatment of Boredome & Loneliness Dog Barking

• Give your dog proper time and play with him and give your interaction daily.
• Ensure your dog gets daily outside walks, exercise, and mental stimulation.
• Provide toys for play and puzzle feeders and games to keep their mind busy in playing.
• Playing background sounds and arranging a dog sitter or dog chair help to reduce boredom and loneliness barking. 

8. Excitement or Frustration Barking

When dogs become overstimulated, thrilled, and very excited for something they have or frustrated for something they don’t have, then dogs bark, and it is called excitement or frustration barking. This is high-energy barking with strong emotions but without any fear or aggression.

Excitement Barking: A dog becomes very excited during playtime, greeting people and other dogs, having tasty meals or treats, participating in something fun like exercise, walks, and exposure to outside nature. He barks due to this fun and excitement that is called excitement barking. Actually, the dog says in barking that “I am very happy this time”.

Frustration Barking: On other side, when a dog can’t access the things he wants, like other dogs behind the fence, a toy, and tied with a leash, he becomes frustrated and starts barking, it is called frustration barking.

Treatment of Excitement or Frustration Barking

• Teach your dog impulse control through commands like “sit” “stay” and “quiet”.
• Always reward calm behavior of your dog with treats and dog’s favourite food.
• Avoid attention and reward when the dog is barking. Wait for the silent and calm behavior for reward.
• Never shout at your dog, be polite and adopt a positive and calm attitude while interacting with your dog.
• Provide regular exercise, walks and mental stimulation to your dog.

9. Anti-Bark Collars

Excessive dog barking feels irritating to dog owners, also has bad effects on the health of the dog. Some special devices are designed to reduce the excessive dog barking by delivering a corrective stimulus, like a loud noise, short electric shocks, vibration, and citronella spray, called anti-bark collars.

Dog owners put an anti-bark collar around the neck of their dog, and it releases a specific barking control stimulus according to its built-in feature, like a vibration, a loud noise, electric shocks, or any unpleasant spray. When dogs start barking, any one of the stimuli is discharged to stop the dog from barking.

In this way, the irritating response of anti-bark collars controls and stops the dog from barking. These anti-bark collars can control environmental trigger-induced barking, like anxiety, fear, attention-seeking, boredom, and frustration barking. These collars can’t stop the health related dog barking like injury, pain and stomach issues.

Solution

Remember to consult a professional dog behaviorist before using anti-bark collars for your dog. If needed, then prefer one with adjustable sensitivity and focus on positive reinforcement while using it.

Provide your canine with daily outside walking, healthy exercise, mental enrichment, and treats for calm behavior. Also, provide human interactions like playing with your dog and holding his muzzle in your hands in a gentle way. Try to eliminate the dependency on the anti-bark collars slowly slowly.

10. Debarking

Debarking or devocalization is a surgical process to eliminate dog’s barking by removing or changing the vocal cord tissues in dogs. Debarking reduces excessive dog barking, but it doesn’t tell the barking reason like fear, anxiety, injury or any other cause.

There is much controversy about debarking, and many animal welfare organizations, vet doctors, and animal behaviorists strongly discourage this cruel act of removing the vocal cord tissues in dogs. Debarking creates many problems like breathing difficulties, pain in throat, and chronic coughing in the dogs.

Solution

• You should focus on behavioral training like stopping anxiety, fear and frustration in your dog by positive reinforcement.
• Ensure best environmental adjustments like living space should be comfortable, safe, and stimulating. It will reduce anxiety and stress, and improves dog’s behavior.
• Healthy activities like walks, mental stimulation and social interactions will reduce the barking and enhance calm behavior.
• Provide treats and rewards when the dog stops barking and becomes calm. It will add in making the dog quiet and calm.

Dogs Barking Sounds Change With the Situation

Dogs’ barking is a vocal communication of dogs, and it changes depending the situation regarding barking pitch, tone, rhythm, frequency, and duration. It means that at different stimuli dogs barking type will be different.

The researchers made a deep research on dog barking and found variables like barking length, time between barks, mean frequency or pitch, and minimum barking frequency. They finalized three barking scenarios.

1. Territorial or Alarm Barking – Low Pitch

When dogs do barking at doorbell and stranger people or animals arrival, it is harsher and low pitched barking as compared to playing, excitement and frustration barks. This is longer duration barking to alert the owners about people, animals, and dogs.

This type of bark is loud, deep, and repetitive as warning and alarm about territory and home.

2. Fear or Anxiety Barking – High Pitch

In case dog is in stress, separation, anxiety and unfamiliar situations, then he will do continuous and high-pitched barking, it is fear and anxiety barking. This bark is about the dog complaining to be alone, unsafe, and unsure about the environment.

This barking is not much harsh as territorial and alarm barks. This barking has short periods.

3. Play or Excitement Barking – Rhythmic

When dogs are playing games, walking, happy and excited with social interactions, they bark in short, cheerful, and rhythmic way, it is play or excitement barking. While this type of barking dogs body language seems very happy like jumping and tail wagging.

It is also a short period and high-pitched dog barking.

Can Dogs Tell the Difference Between Barking Sounds?

As barking is dog’s vocal communication, definitely dogs can understand and tell the difference between bark sounds of their own and those of other dogs. Research for Dog’s communication shows that dogs can distinguish barking by variations in pitch, tone, rhythm, and duration of the barks.

Each bark has different properties and meanings depending on the situation. By the bark tone, pitch, rhythm, and duration, dogs can make a difference for specific bark purposes like fear, aggression, excitement, and playfulness.

Example: Dogs Barking Distinction

Some dogs in the neighborhood are barking, and your dog is in the home and can hear their bark sounds, definitely he will understand the purpose of other dogs’ barks. The purpose may be barks for alert, anxiety, fear, excitement, friendly, and attention etc.

Even your dog sometimes responds to other dogs’ barking like barks for social talking, playful, alert and excitement etc. Your dog also barks with other dogs to join them.

But when another dog maybe barking for pain, injury, and health issues like stomach disorders and throat pain, then your dog understands his barks purpose and this time doesn’t bark with him.

Can Humans Tell the Difference Between Dogs Barking Sounds?

Yes, of course, humans can also tell the difference between various dog barking sounds by noticing the bark tone, pitch, rhythm and duration etc. Each time when dog barking, there are different vocal patterns for barks and humans can distinguish the causes for which dog is barking.

Dogs communication research shows that people having little experience with dogs can tell difference whether a bark sound is alert, aggressive, fearful, playful, excited, needs & attention, and pain or health related. Then they respond their dog according to needs.

Example: Humans Barking Distinction

A dog is barking repeatedly with low-pitch, loud sounds and in a harsh way, it is the alert and territory barking. This happens when stranger people or animals come to the door or near their territory. So, owner can judge the barking type by its properties and respond his dog to be quiet when checking the alert situation.

When a dog becomes happy by having his needs like treats, food, and toys, then he barks in high-pitched, jumping, and tail wagging. The owner can feel the bark sound pattern and tell this type of barking is an excitement and joyful barking.

When to See a Vet or Certified Behaviorist

Dogs communicate in the form of barking and when a dog is barking normally it is fine, not a problem. But in case of excessive dog bark, sudden, or unexplained barking it has some serious issues. Therefore, you should consult a vet doctor and certified behaviorist.

If your dogs bark pattern changes suddenly, and it has some other symptoms like limping, restless, loss of appetite, anxiety, and confusion, then it indicates that dogs is suffering from serious health or mental issues.

When you observe above mentioned symptoms in your dog then consult with a vet doctor for health related problems. If there are behavior related problems then your should consult with a certified and good dog behaviorist. They will check and find the actual problems and give relevant treatment.

Long-Term Management: Exercise, Routine, and Environmental Changes

If you have a barker dog then you have to manage his barking behavior by long-term commitment and consistent care. Dogs like good food, treats, physical activity, and mental stimulation for living a healthy life. Therefore, you can reduce his barking by giving him a well balanced diet, physical activities, and mental enrichment.

There are the following needs and factors to help your dog for controlling his barking.

1. Regular Exercise

If your dog lives alone or not taken to walks and exercise outside, then dog starts barking due to frustration and boredom. Therefore, make a daily routine to take your canine outside for walks, exercise, and mental stimulation.

If you are dog lover then you must take your dog for outside walks and exercise daily. Try never to skip this routine for taking the dog outside. With the passage of time, your dog will be healthy physically and mentally, and this will reduce his barking habit.

2. Consistent Routine

Dogs are happy and satisfied when they get their needs at proper time. Provide your dog food, treats, walks, and exercise at regular times. It will reduce his anxiety, stress and frustration and dogs barking will also be reduced to normal and less.

When dog will get his needs at regular times then there will be no need for barking. Therefore, this consistent routine will be helpful to control excessive barking of dog.

3. Environmental Enrichment

Dogs are friendly by nature and they like to play with humans, dogs and toys. So, always give your dog enough time to play with him. Let your canine play with other fellow dogs if available near. Provide your dog with toys, puzzle games and feeders to play with.

By continuously providing these needs and things to your dog, you will see that your dog will less bark and even he will bark below the normal.

Same like the human nature dogs also want to talk and communicate with each other and also with humans. Thus dogs do barking which is their vocal communication. Every time when dogs bark there are different meanings and causes behind it that trigger barking.

Barking occurs due to health-related causes like pain, injury, throat issues, and stomach disorders. Environmental factors that cause barks are alert, attention-seeking, anxiety, boredom & loneliness, and confusion. Provide your dog all needs like good diet, treats, walks, toys, and mental stimulation to reduce excessive barking.

Be kind and use positive reinforcement to train your dog to reduce his excess barking. When you see your dog barking without any clear reason of health and environmental causes, then you should check your dog with a veterinarian and a professional dog behaviorist to get a treatment and expert suggestions.

FAQs