Non-stop Canine Barking: Identifying Causes and Strategies to Reduce Excessive Barking
Dogs, being pack animals, are prone to various behaviours when left alone for extended periods. One such behaviour is excessive barking, which can lead to destructiveness, inappropriate urination or defecation, and other negative outcomes.
Identifying the Cause
Understanding the root cause of excessive barking is crucial to addressing the issue. Dogs may bark out of alert or protective instincts, attention-seeking, boredom or loneliness, fear or anxiety, or excitement. Identifying when, where, and what causes the barking can help in understanding the underlying issue.
Addressing the Problem
Boredom and Loneliness
Dogs require mental and physical stimulation to keep them engaged and content. Providing plenty of exercise, puzzle toys, and training can help alleviate boredom and reduce excessive barking.
Training Techniques
Ignoring attention-seeking barks and rewarding quiet behaviour can help reduce excessive barking due to attention-seeking or excitement. Teaching a dog to stop barking before being rewarded can also be effective.
Visual Blockers and White Noise
For dogs barking in response to environmental stimuli, using visual blockers such as opaque window film or solid fencing, and white noise can help reduce the triggers that provoke barking.
Anxiety-Related Barking
For anxiety-related barking, techniques such as gradual desensitization, creating safe spaces, and consulting a behaviourist may be necessary. In severe cases, anti-anxiety medications may be required.
Preventing Excessive Barking
Ensuring your dog receives sufficient mental and physical exercise is key, as a tired dog typically barks less. Consistency and patience in training combined with addressing the underlying cause will lead to the best results.
Consequences of Excessive Barking
Excessive barking can be reported as a noise complaint in the United Kingdom and the United States, and offenders can face fines or even rehoming of their dogs in severe cases.
Understanding Barking Behaviour
Dogs often bark to express emotions such as excitement, attention-seeking, territorialism, boredom or loneliness, or anxiety. Understanding these emotions can help in addressing the root cause of excessive barking.
Territorial Barking
Territorial dogs bark when strangers, other dogs, or wild animals come close to their "territory" (i.e., their house or their human). Providing a secure environment and teaching the dog to associate new people or situations with positive experiences can help reduce territorial barking.
Barking for Basic Needs
Dogs barking for basic needs such as food, play, or attention should not be ignored. Meeting these needs can help reduce excessive barking.
Seeking Help
If excessive barking becomes overwhelming, it's important to challenge negative self-talk, listen to intuition, remember the joyful parts of pup parenthood, and seek help if needed. Consulting a veterinarian, behaviourist, or training professional can provide valuable insights and solutions.
[1] American Kennel Club. (2021). Barking and Whining. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/behavior/barking-whining/
[2] Stanley Coren. (2008). How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind. Bantam Books.
[3] The Humane Society of the United States. (2021). Barking. Retrieved from https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/barking-dog-why-does-my-dog-bark
[4] Cynthia Otte. (2018). The Barking Book: Why Dogs Bark and How to Get Them to Stop. Dogwise Publishing.
- Dogs, being prone to barking due to various behaviors such as anxiety, attention-seeking, territorialism, or boredom, may destruct toys, urinate or defecate inappropriately, and exhibit other negative outcomes when left alone for extended periods.
- In the United Kingdom and the United States, excessive barking can result in noise complaints and potentially fines or rehoming in severe cases.
- To address excessive barking, dogs require mental and physical stimulation through exercise, puzzle toys, and training to alleviate boredom and keep them content.
- Identifying the root cause of barking can help in understanding the underlying issue, whether it is due to alert/protective instincts, attention-seeking, fear/anxiety, or other factors.
- In cases of anxiety-related barking,techniques such as gradual desensitization, creating safe spaces, consultation with a behaviorist, and anti-anxiety medications may be necessary.
- Understanding emotions that drive barking, like excitement, boredom, or loneliness, can help in addressing the root cause of excessive barking and prevent it.
- For dogs barking in response to environmental stimuli, visual blockers such as opaque window film or solid fencing, and white noise can help reduce the triggers that provoke barking.
- If excessive barking becomes an issue that is overwhelming, it's crucial to seek help from a veterinarian, behaviorist, or training professional for valuable insights and solutions.
