Barking is to dogs as talking is to humans. Barking is part of what makes a dog what it is. But there are times that it happens too much and too often that it’s become a problem. Excessive barking is a common problem that a lot of pet parents face and it can be embarrassing and troublesome.
So if your dog barks more than others, how do you calm them down and reduce excessive barking?
Why Dogs Bark
There are different reasons why dogs bark and before you can take action to reduce excessive barking, you first need to find out what’s causing it. According to research, here are the most common reasons for barking.
Excitement
Barking when you get home or when you’re about to go out to play or for a walk are barks of excitement. This is usually followed by yapping and tail-wagging with happy body language. A pack of dogs would bark this way to communicate excitement with one another. And because you and your dog are a pack, they’ll communicate the same way with you.
Attention
Have you experienced your dog coming up to you when you’re busy doing something else and bark at you consistently until you turn your attention to them? That’s exactly what they’re trying to do — get your attention. It could be because they’re hungry, want to play, or they’re seeking affection.
But when it’s because they want food or treats, be careful about giving in. They’ll eventually learn that they can get treats just by barking. You just got trained by your dog!
Boredom
Barking out of boredom stems from the lack of physical and mental stimulation. As mentioned above, your dog could be barking at you so you can play with them or because they have nothing to do. Boredom needs to be addressed immediately because it can lead to more destructive behavior like aggressive chewing.
Fear, Anxiety, or Territorial Behavior
When dogs experience fear, stress, or anxiety, barking is one of the ways they express what they’re feeling. Stress and anxiety can be triggered by various things and it’s different for every dog. Dogs can be territorial when they encounter strangers or other dogs or animals in a space they consider as theirs. This can lead to aggressive barking as well. Either way, you can expect your dog to be tense and be aggressive during these situations.
Pain or Dementia
A dog that’s in pain will be barking incessantly as a cry for help or aid. This kind of barking is different because of its high-pitched sound, similar to what they make when you accidentally step on them.
Also, as a dog ages, they can suffer from dementia. When this happens, their cognitive dysfunction makes them bark at things that aren’t there at all. It’s barking at a non-existent trigger.
5 Tips and Tricks to Stop Barking
Understanding the reasons for excessive barking is the first step in addressing the issue. Now that you know what the trigger is, the next step is to take action. Here are 5 tips and tricks to calm your dog’s excessive barking.
Get Enough Exercise
Dogs need adequate exercise to release energy and prevent boredom. Some breeds need more exercise than others, but regardless of what breed you have, it’s important to give your dog the physical and mental exercise they need for their well-being.
Set a schedule for your walks or playtime and follow it consistently. When you’re gonna be out for work, walking your dog before you leave can tire them enough that they won’t have the energy to bark at all. If you don’t have time for it, hiring a dog walker might be necessary to make sure they won’t bark non-stop while you’re away.
Make Time for Social Calls
One reason why dogs end up barking at people or other dogs is that they haven’t been able to socialize as much as they should have. They might not have enough experience with new people, dogs, or situations to be comfortable enough with those new situations and experiences.
You can prevent or correct this by letting them meet new and friendly people and dogs when you’re out for a walk. You can also schedule a play session with your friends who have their own dogs. It’s best to expose your dog to as many new experiences and interactions while they’re puppies. This will allow them to grow up well-adjusted which will make them less anxious or fearful.
Using Bark Control Devices
If exercise or socialization fails to do the trick or if you simply need a quick solution, you can use training collars to control barking. Shock collars are a little bit controversial, but these devices have improved so much compared to their earlier versions and are now safe to use.
Training collars are used not just for barking but to correct other undesirable behavior as well. There are many options available in the market but here are MDWT’s picks of the best training collars for training.
However, before using one, be sure to consult with a professional trainer to teach you how to use the device properly and humanely. Doing it yourself without proper guidance may not give you the result you want or inadvertently harm your dog.
Toys for Physical and Mental Stimulation
Aside from exercise, physical stimulation can also come in the form of toys. For example, playing fetch with your dog is a fun and good way to exercise. You can use fetch toys or frisbees, or any other toy that your dog enjoys going after. Here are some of MDWT’s recommended toys for physical exercise:
While physical stimulation is good, pairing it with mental stimulation is even better. Engaging your dog mentally also contributes to their well-being and good behavior. Puzzle and interactive toys are a great way to stimulate their minds.
A good mental exercise is as effective as physical exercise and here are some great interactive toys to choose from.
Professional Help
However, if you’ve tried everything and nothing works, getting professional help is your best option. Professional dog training will teach your dog to ignore or be desensitized with the cause of their barking, be more obedient, and behave better.
To make sure your dog displays good behavior even after training, you need to be able to follow through and be consistent with teaching or engaging them to make sure excessive barking doesn’t happen again.