Why Dogs Bark, and How You Can Control It

If you own a dog, chances are it will bark occasionally. Dogs can be protective in nature and the sound of its barking is often enough to scare off intruders. The problem with dogs that constantly bark is that it can be difficult to control at times. Noisy neighbors or even strays may cause this barking behavior which could result in fines or the removal of your dog.

With this in mind, there are a few reasons why dogs bark and we will look at how to address the problem, as well as why it may be happening.

Reason #1: Boredom

The first reason that your dog’s barking might continue is that they are bored. If you work long hours like most people do these days, leaving your dog at home alone for hours on end could be causing it to bark constantly. 

The simple solution to this is to keep your dog occupied when you are not at home, but if this is impossible then consider using bark collars.

Reason #2: Attention

If your dog is constantly barking while you are away from home, then it could be that they simply miss you and want to be with you. This may not always be the case, however, as another reason that dogs bark might be because it wants something, whether toys or attention. If the barking does not stop when it gets what it wanted, then you may need to look into other ways of dealing with the problem.

Dogs that bark for hours on end because it has separation anxiety or receive too little attention from its owner will need to undergo training.

Reason #3: Dominance

Sometimes barking can be a show of dominance, and you may need to remove this as an option by asserting your own form of control. When your dog barks at you, show it who’s boss and do not give in.

One way of doing this is to make sure that your dog is on a non-retractable leash when taken outside for walks. This prevents it from running off if it gets upset, and you can show it who is in charge by pulling on the leash so that its head is forced down.

The last thing to keep in mind when dealing with a barking dog is patience. Sometimes all you need to do is wait until they are tired or busy, as this can be enough

Reason #4: Noise Sensitivity

Some dogs are simply noise-sensitive, and barking may occur because it hears something that it is afraid of or does not understand. This type of barking can usually be controlled with obedience training and making sure that your dog is comfortable in its environment.

Final Thoughts

Barking is a normal form of communication among dogs and while we may find the noise irritating or distracting, we should try to understand why our dog is barking before we look into ways of stopping it from happening.

There are many reasons why dogs bark, but fortunately most of them can be corrected with proper training. If you are having trouble controlling your dog’s barking behavior, it is best to seek professional help.