Why is my dog barking?
It’s perfectly normal for dog’s to bark. However, when it’s excessive barking or too loud, it can be a problem for the dog and your neighbors. Barking can be a result of genetics or the environment; it can be self-reinforcing (I bark and the mailman leaves, success!) or accidentally reinforced when owners “talk back” to their dogs.
What is all the barking about?
Enzo practicing being a watchdog.
Understanding why your dog is barking is the first step in improving the behavior. Next time your dog is barking, take note of the circumstances. If the barking is happening when you’re not home, set-up a camera to monitor your dog or ask your neighbors.
Questions to ask yourself:
· When does the barking happen? Is there a certain time you know your dog likes to bark? Is it only when they’re alone or only when the mailman comes?
· When did the barking start? Has the dog been vocal since they were a puppy? Have there been any recent lifestyle changes? Is there new construction nearby? Or have new neighbors moved in?
· Where does the barking happen? In the backyard? The car? On walks?
· Who is present? Does being alone or with others make a difference?
· Where is the dog’s focus? Is the dog focused on one thing? A person or animal? Nothing at all? Have you had any success with anything you’ve tried so far?
Consider Context
Dogs are contextual creatures which is part of why we’re careful not to categorize behavior too much. Behavior doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it is always being influenced by the environment which is constantly changing.
You may find your dog’s barking fits into one category or it may fit into several. Some dogs are simply more vocal than others and prone to barking when playing, chasing or excited. If your dog is an excited barker, this article by Whole Dog Journal has some great suggestions on reducing the noise.
Now, drawing with very broad strokes, let’s dive into some of the other reasons why dogs bark.
Watchdog Barking
Watchdog Barking serves a dual purpose, it alerts everyone to an intruder and lets the intruder know they’ve been spotted. Intruders can be anything from small critters, delivery people, strangers and friends. A dog’s predisposition to watchdog bark varies across breeds and individuals.
Enzo & Beau on watchdog duty.
Watchdog barkers are brave dogs, defending themselves or territory from perceived threats. These dogs appear threatening and act offensively. If provoked, they are likely to follow through on their threats. Watchdog barks are low, beginning as a growl and escalating to a bark.
We’ve spent centuries selectively breeding dogs for barking so some watchdog barking is to be expected. Instead of a total cessation of this natural behavior, the preferred approach is to let the dog alert and train them to call off readily.
Training Tips:
Increase daily enrichment and physical exercise if you notice your dog spends most of their time watchdog barking when they are outside
Implement management strategies to prevent the dog from practicing while you are away, like:
closing curtains during the day
put up window film to block street facing windows
use x-pens and gates to block off barking “hot spots”
install landscaping fabric to block street views
play music while you are away to reduce your dogs vigilance about sounds outside
Train your dog to recall (come when called) and respond to their name quickly so you can call them off guard duty with ease.
Eileen Anderson has a wonderful blog post about watchdog barking (Eileen’s blog’s are an invaluable resource for behavior information) titled The Barking Recall. I highly recommend checking it out for an even more in-depth look.
Attention Barking (Demand Barking)
Attention Barking (often called demand barking) is an experiment at first, a “let’s see what happens if I do this.” This kind of barking is reinforced unintentionally by owners and reinforced behavior will be repeated!
Typical requests are to be let out of confinement, have food from your plate, go outside or have a ball toss. These are often social dogs who live by the motto, “all press is good press.”
These dogs may have other attention seeking behaviors like digging or playing keep away. Their barks are often high-pitched and paired with other cute behaviors like eye contact, play bows, tail wags and spins.
Hannah banana being “sassy.” Hannah’s “back talk” was not persistent and she was able to be redirected easily, although this was a reinforced behavior. with a long history. There was no need to change what both she and her owner seemed to enjoy!
If the barking has become a nuisance, the first step is to decide to ignore all attention barking and reinforce your dog when they’re being quiet. Don’t look at or talk to your dog when they’re attention barking and, if they’re especially persistent, get up and leave the room or put your headphones in to ensure you’re successful in ignoring your dog.
If you go this route, you must commit and persevere without exception. If you decide to ignore but give in after a few minutes, your dog will become an even more persistent barker. This can be a real nuisance. So, once you have decided to ignore, you must persevere and stick to the plan.
Training Tips:
Train settle on a mat or a relaxed down to encourage more calm behavior throughout the day. Think of a time when a default down would be useful, like when you are on a call or relaxing after dinner, and practice down with your dog at these times.
Reinforce your dog with calm pets and verbal praise throughout the day when they are being quiet or calmly laying down. Carry treats to gently place between their paws when they choose to relax.
Identify when your dog is most likely to attention bark and prepare stuffed kongs and bones ahead of time. Pair them with a settle or down.
Increase daily enrichment and training.
Ensure your dog is getting 30 minutes of off-leash aerobic exercise like fetch, play with friends, a swim, everyday.
Spooky Barkers
Spooky Barking occurs when the dog is fearful of something in the environment. It’s the dog’s way of saying “Back off – don’t come any closer!”
Be cautious with a spooky barker. If the dog is barking while backing away from you, give the dog ample space and get out of there. A dog who is barking out of fear is more likely to snap or bite if they feel cornered or the pursuer doesn’t give them space.
Gus is a little spooked by the statue,
Some dogs are a combination of watchdog barkers and spooky barkers. To determine if your dog is one of these dogs, will depend on how prosocial your dog is with people. If the barking continues well after a guest has arrived, contact a certified positive reinforcement trainer to develop a training plan for your dog.
Spooky barks are also at perceived threats (like watchdog barks) but out of fear, not bravery. These dogs would prefer to run away but will bite if cornered. The bark is often high pitched and sharp, like an alarm hoping to scare the thing away.
Millie the westie puppy spooky barking at a bag.
If your dog finds too many things spooky, many factors may be contributing, especially if seen in a young dog or puppy. Fear is the default and this behavior requires significant attention and behavior modification.
Millie is suspicious of a trash can. She’s leaning as far forward as she can, cautiously sniffing to determine if it is a threat.
Contact your veterinarian and a certified positive reinforcement trainer if you believe your dog is spooky barking too much. A Veterinary Behaviorist can both discuss pharmacological intervention and behavior modification options if your dog’s spooky barking seems excessive, compulsive or has a long history.
If the spooky barking is not persistent and only reserved for a select few things like the vacuum or a suspicious stick, counter-conditioning from a safe distance at first, working closer with practice, can begin to reduce your dog’s fear. Contact a certified positive reinforcement trainer to develop a training plan for your spooky barker.
Boredom Barkers
Boredom Barking happens when a dog’s daily exercise, mental stimulation and social needs are not being met. This is a compulsive behavior much like pacing back and forth or tail-chasing. Dogs left outside for long periods of time are more likely to boredom bark.
These dogs have lots of time and little to do. Every dog needs access to regular exercise, mental stimulation and social interaction. If these needs are not being met, dogs will find other less desirable outlets to release energy like digging, chewing and scratching. Boredom barks are often monotonous, with repetitive intervals. They have a medium pitch and sound flat.
Boredom barking is not home alone barking and the distinction is important. Home alone barking can border on panic while boredom barking is stimulation seeking. A boredom barker will benefit from an enriched environment, more social interaction and exercise, but a dog who is anxious about being alone will still panic when you leave, even if these needs are being met.
Video from 92506Resident
Training Tips:
If the dog must tolerate being left alone for more than 8 hours 5 days a week, hire a dog walker or enroll them in doggy daycare. Ask family or friends if they can check on your dog. Neighborhood forums like NextDoor can be a great resources as well.
If the dog is being left outside, bring it inside.
Ensure your dog is getting 30 minutes of off-leash, aerobic exercise a day and ample opportunities for social engagement with their people.
Consider long morning walks to help the dog relax before you leave in the morning and implement a home-alone-self-entertainment protocol.
Provide regular access to species-specific activities and daily enrichment.
You can read more about barking and get a better understanding of our relationship with dogs by reading Jean Donaldson’s book, The Culture Clash.
When to be concerned
Barking is sometimes a symptom of discomfort in the dog and could be a sign of an underlying health condition. If your dog is suddenly barking more than before, a veterinary check-up is in order.
Aging dogs can develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, also known as Doggie Dementia, which can cause an increase in barking. This type of barking should be diagnosed and treated by a veterinary professional.
Additionally, if you have a puppy who is barking too much, this should be addressed quickly. Mention it to your veterinarian at your next puppy’s check-up and contact a certified positive reinforcement trainer to discuss training options.
If your dog is anxious or fearful, your vet may suggest combining medication with a training plan. Extreme repetitive behaviors like pacing, circling and barking with no apparent purpose should be given special consideration. Contact a veterinary behaviorist to discuss pharmacological intervention and behavior modification options if your dog’s behavior seems repetitive.
Barking when home alone
If your dog’s barking happens only when you are away from the home, even though the dog is safe and comfortable inside, your dog may have separation anxiety. According to leading separation anxiety expert, Malena DeMartini’s website:
Dogs suffering from SA experience anything from mild anxiety to uncontrollable panic when left alone. It is a heart-rending canine condition that, unfortunately, does not resolve without training.
Fortunately, the options for dogs experiencing separation anxiety have never been more effective and accessible than they are now. If you suspect your dog’s barking is because of separation anxiety, find the right training option for you.
Bull terrier barking while home alone.
If you are based in Dallas, TX, I recommend Fanna Easter of Positive Pooch Behavior. However, all Separation Anxiety Certified Trainers (CSAT) work online so no matter where you are, there is a CSAT out there who can help you and your dog.
In Summary
Dogs are social creatures and being home alone is often a factor in barking behaviors. All dogs benefit from an enriched environment, although it will not cure your dog’s barking. Excessive barking in young dogs, repetitive vocalizations while you are away or home and/or a sudden increase in barking are pressing concerns.
We have been breeding dogs to bark for centuries so there is a reasonable expectation of some barking with every dog. You can begin to reduce the noise when you’ve identified the cause and implemented management strategies to eliminate the source of reinforcement for the barking (put up window film, block access to hot spots, play music while you are gone, ignore attention barking, bring the dog inside) . With enough reinforcement and environmental management, your dog can learn to calmly watch you eat or call away from the window after alerting to the mailman. Because, like the barking, calling off a fence or relaxing on a mat will be repeated if it is reinforced enough. That’s just how reinforcement works!