We’ve all heard the sound of a dog barking a gazillion time. It is their main means of communication, along with whining, growling and howling.
Barking can be caused by many things. Barking can be a nuisance or a tolerable behavior.
Continue reading if you don’t know why your dog barks so much. This article will discuss dog barking, why it happens, and how you can control it when the problem becomes too much.
Why Dogs Bark
Here are some of the main reasons dogs bark.
You Want to Play
Sometimes a dog just wants to play. Your dog may bark if he wants your attention, or that of another dog.
The tail wag is a sign that accompanies squeals of joy.
How to Train Your Puppies
For disciplinary purposes, mother dogs may bark at their pups. When they get out of line, they use a sharp, rapid bark.
To Ward off Intruders
Territorial dogs are very territorial and will not tolerate people entering their territory.
A dog will bark if a stranger attempts to climb the fence, gate or try to enter through the front door.
The dog will charge the intruder if it is not on a leash.
Curiosity
When a dog encounters an object it finds strange, it will bark to see if the object responds.
A toy that is animated, for example. A dog will bark if it pokes it with its nose, and the toy makes a noise or moves in an amusing way.
All of the reasons listed above for barking are not problematic. Some do.
Barking that is problematic can be defined as a dog’s habitual behavior of barking to get food or companionship.
Barking Problems: Causes and Solutions
Understanding the causes of problematic barking is essential to understanding and treating it.
Here are some causes.
Genetics
Some dog breeds are more likely to bark than others. A terrier, for example, is known to bark excessively.
Lack of Exercise
Your dog may bark excessively if he doesn’t get enough exercise.
When he needs food or water, he may bark. He may also bark if he feels cold or hot.
Emotional Needs
Your dog may bark if he needs attention. Barking is his only means of communicating with you if he’s feeling anxious, excited or bored.
Environment
If you keep your dog in a confined space for a long time, he may become agitated. This is especially true if the dog is left alone.
Other environmental factors can cause a dog’s excessive barking. These include the noise of other dogs, vehicles passing by, thunderstorms, sirens from ambulances or children playing.
What to do?
You can now take steps to correct the problem.
Use Voice Commands
If they’re trained well, all dogs will understand a clear and authoritative voice command. Use a voice command such as “No” whenever you hear your dog barking excessively.
Saying “bad dog” will also stop him. Remember that you should reward him for good behavior if he obeys your voice command.
Meeting His Needs Appropriately
When dogs are alone, hungry, cold or thirsty they may bark. Be sure to meet all of your dog’s requirements.
Make sure you feed him on time, and that he doesn’t sleep in the cold. Do not isolate him for too long or he will start to bark.
Separate him from Triggers
When your dog starts to bark excessively, identify the things that cause him to do so.
Separate him from triggers such as loud noises coming from neighbors or children playing near the fence.
Keep him in the house or the backyard so he can’t hear or see the sounds.
You should let your dog out of his cage occasionally. Isolating him for too long can make him unsociable.
Exercise
Barking is a very energetic activity, and the more your dog has the louder it can be. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise to drain his energy.
You can also take him for a walk or run. You can also tire him by playing “catch” and “fetch”.
They say that a dog who is tired will behave well.
Use Bark Collars
You can find different types of bark collars in pet shops. Visit a pet store near you to choose from a variety of options.
Chew Toys for Sale
If your dog is barking excessively because he’s bored, buying him chew toys would be a good idea.
Buy toys that do not make noises or move as these could cause him to bark more. With an additional companion, his barking could be reduced.
Another Dog
This is a similar concept to a chewing toy. It’s an additional companion to help you kill boredom.
You can buy another dog for your dog if he lacks companionship.
