Expecting a dog to remain silent at all times is unrealistic unless you have a Basenji, which is often referred to as the “barkless dog.” Nevertheless, excessive barking may become a nuisance and is often an indication that something is upsetting your dog. If your dog is barking excessively, you should investigate the cause. Finding a solution to the problem requires first determining what the root of the issue is.
In most cases, excessive or nuisance dog barking is caused by a dog that barks incessantly for extended periods of time, to the point where it prevents neighbors from participating in activities that allow them to enjoy their own property. If you have a dog that is barking excessively, there are things you can do to bring peace to your dog and quiet to your house. The definition of “excessive barking” may appear different to everyone, but there are things you can do if your dog is barking excessively.
Why do dogs bark so much all the time?
Barking is the primary means by which dogs communicate with one another and with humans; thus, no owner should have the expectation that their dog would be fully quiet. It is ridiculous to expect dogs to stay quiet when, for example, there is a knock at the door; it is their responsibility to let us know when there is a visitor. Nonetheless, there are situations that might become problematic when a dog barks an excessive amount. The following are some possible explanations for why dogs bark:
- When Your Dog is defending its domain from attack: The most common cause for a dog to start barking nonstop is the presence of another animal or human in an area that the dog views to be part of his or her territory. When someone or anything new enters the picture, particularly if your dog becomes hostile while barking, you will know whether this is the trigger since your dog will bark at the newcomer.
- When your dog is afraid: Dogs have a habit of making noise if they are frightened or scared. This may occur anywhere, and for some dogs, it occurs more often when they are not in their own homes.
- Your dog’s bark might be used as a welcome or to indicate that it’s time to play: We’ve all arrived home to see a joyful puppy who is barking and running around the room doing zoomies. It’s a happy get-together that also serves as a reminder that it’s time to play. These joyful barks are often followed by the dog waving its tail and leaping up to get closer to the person they are greeting.
- A feeling of isolation or monotony: When you welcome a dog into your house, you and your family become the dog’s pack. Dogs that are left alone for extended periods of time are more likely to grow depressed and bored, and they will bark to communicate their discontent.
- Anxiety caused by being apart: There are certain dogs for whom their owner abandoning them is not just a tragic occurrence but also a source of intense worry. Dogs who bark excessively because of separation anxiety typically pace, become destructive, have accidents within the home, and exhibit indications of sadness including tiredness and lack of appetite in addition to their excessive barking. If one of those symptoms is present in your dog, you should take him or her to the veterinarian as soon as you can so that he or she may be examined.
- Involuntary or compulsive barking: Some people simply appreciate the way their own voices sound and wish to share that enjoyment with the rest of the world. It’s also uncommon for obsessive barking to be accompanied by other unpleasant activities, such as running in circles or along a fence line, for example.
- The Dog Breed Plays a Role As Well: Owning a Basenji dog, as we’ve indicated, is like signing a no-barking contract, however, other breeds may be physically disposed to do so. Some dogs bark more than others, but that’s only one of the many ways in which they differ. There are a number of factors, such as a dog’s level of socialization and training, that contribute to how frequently a dog barks. In addition, there are canine breeds that tend to be louder than others. Due to their ancestry and the tasks they were designed to do (such as guarding), certain dog breeds are more vocal than others.
Methods That Have Been Successful in Stopping Excessive Barking
Remember that your dog isn’t deliberately trying to drive you crazy by barking; rather, it is using the only means at its disposal to express a need or want. It’s not a good idea to try to stop your dog from barking by shouting at it or hitting it with a stick. Here are some smart ways to stop excess barking and ensure you and your dog communicate better:
- Teach and Train Them Better: You need to teach your dog the meaning of the phrase “quiet.” While dogs have a wide range of cognitive abilities, the phrase “shut up” is much beyond their linguistic ken. Instead, you should instruct them to “be quiet” and then praise them when they comply after hearing the instruction.
- Ignore the dog’s barking for now: Do not pay attention to your dog when it is trying to grab your attention by barking. They will rapidly understand that their manipulation is not having the desired effect. When they finally quiet down, you should applaud them.
- Your dog needs to be desensitized to the stimulation: If the mailman comes to your house every day and your dog barks at him, you should give them firm instructions to “quiet” and then treat them when they stop barking. Increase the amount of time that passes between the silent order and the reward by a little amount each time the mailman comes around.
- Put Together Alternative Methods of Acting: Teaching your dog some new tricks that don’t involve barking can help everyone out. In addition to limiting your dog’s exposure to barking triggers in the environment, you may try this. If your dog barks unreasonably whenever packages are delivered, you may teach him to go to a certain location when the doorbell rings so that he can get a treat. If you know your dog barks excessively every time a box is delivered, you may take this measure.
- Keep your dog sleepy: When it comes to educating a dog to be quiet, getting enough exercise and playtime is really essential. Before you go to work, the two of you should go for a lovely, long stroll together. Take a trip to the dog park to relax and unwind. During the day, you should play fetch. The most effective method for reducing your dog’s excessive barking is to ensure that it is happy and gets enough exercise by playing with it.
- Work with a professional: If all else fails, consider working with a qualified dog trainer. In the event that your efforts are fruitless, it may be necessary to hand the responsibility for completing the work to a trained professional. Contacting a professional dog trainer may assist your pet in mastering new mannerisms while also allowing you to experience more calm and solitude in your home.
- If you feel that there may be a medical problem, you should see your veterinarian: It’s possible that your dog has a medical problem that’s causing the noise it’s making, such as if it’s unable to control its bladder and has to go outside repeatedly to relieve itself. Make an appointment for an examination at the Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic as soon as possible. You and your dog will both feel better after one of our skilled veterinarians diagnoses and treats any disorders that may be the root cause of your dog’s excessive barking, as this will provide you both peace of mind.
What Should Not Be Done
If you have a dog that barks excessively, there are a few things you should steer clear of:
Never shout at a barking dog.
The dog believes you’re simply getting in on the fun with him. Under no circumstances may you correct a bark with another bark of your own. When you want your dog to stop, you should use regular volume and speak in a calm but forceful tone.
Do not strike your dog, and stay away from devices like choke chains and shock collars.
Not only is this cruel and unpleasant for the dog, but with time, certain canines will learn to challenge the barriers and will finally find out how to go through them.
It doesn’t matter what the motivation is, but you shouldn’t let your dog bark nonstop while it’s outdoors.
You won’t have much success in stopping the dog’s barking if you shout at it from across the yard. In addition to this, it is one of the quickest methods to convert neighbors into foes and to invite the local police to investigate the situation.