Barking is a naturally important means of canine communication, but irregular barking whether too much or too often is probably one of the most commonly reported problems dog owners have with their pets.

Constant barking can be quite irritating, not just for the dog’s human family but potentially leading to unpleasant situations with neighbors, especially if the barking is a lot.

To be able to stop dog barking, you must first understand the motivation behind your dog’s barking, once you clear the reasons, achieving the solutions won’t be that much of a hassle. Therefore in this article, we will examine some of the common reasons behind the excessive barking, and learn what we can do to solve them.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Barking is a vocal communication type that dogs exercise, and it can have different meanings depending on the situation. Here are 6 reasons why dogs bark:

Attention

Dogs often bark when they seek attention from humans to get something, such as going outside, playing or getting a treat, and they will do whatever it takes to get your attention no matter how much you yell at them.

Boredom/Loneliness

Dogs are pack animals, on that account mentally and physically under-stimulated dogs can engage in a repetitive barking manner to ease their boredom.

Fear

Some dogs will bark if something new in the environment attracts their attention or stresses them, and they want that scary thing or situation to simply go away.

Protectiveness

Dogs mainly guarding dogs tend to bark immoderately when a person or an animal (especially cats) comes to an area that is considered as its territory, and the closer the threat gets the louder the barking becomes, and that may lead to aggressive behavior.

Excitement

In this situation, dog barking is a way of greeting people or other animals, or when playing, followed by tail wags and jumping. This type of barking is considered a happy bark, so it’s nothing to worry about.

Health Reasons

Dogs may bark when they are in pain or discomfort or having seizures. In some cases that barking could possibly be due to a mental illness that leads to emotional and psychological disturbances.

How To Determine The Barking Reason:

Simply, by observation. you need to pay attention to your dog’s overall behavior. take notes of the following questions:

1- Does it sound like an alarm, does it sound playful or perhaps distressed?

2- Make track of the frequency, intensity, and duration.

3- Identify the triggers (Human walks by, a cat seen…).

4-  Is your dog responding to your commands to be quiet?

5- What is your dog barking at?

These questions will usually clarify what are the reasons that are making your dog bark excessively

How to Treat Unnecessary Dog Barking

Making your dog bark less is certainly an uneasy job and won’t happen overnight. It takes time, work, practice, and consistency. It cannot be achieved without determining why the dog barks in the place. Once you’ve discovered the reason behind the barking you can move to the next step, which is the treatment. Below you will find some solutions to deal with barking in various situations:

Attention: This behavior can be slowly stopped by using a second behavior such as asking the dog to sit or be quiet. When your dog barks simply ignore him and he will get quiet eventually and then heavily insist and swell on that behavior. At the start, you may find the dog barking louder to get your attention more so stay patient until he learns that barking is no longer useful to get attention.

Boredom/Loneliness: If your dog barks excessively whilst you’re away from him, provide him with things to do during the day, as well as plenty of activities and exercises. Get him some toys to chew on such as food-dispensing toys, just leave him snooping for several hours then he’ll probably take a nap.

Take your dog outside and let him engage with the environment (Playing, sniffing…). And if you can’t due to work, it is recommended that you get someone friendly to walk your dog or play with him for at least an hour daily. Or you can drop him off at doggie daycare, or any form of the dog training school.

To stop your dog from barking at night while outdoors just bring them indoors. Dogs sleep quietly indoors better, and they give your house more protection.

Fear: This type of barking can be lessened by helping your dog learn that whatever he is afraid of is not a threat if that doesn’t help usually limiting what the dog sees ends the problem; moving him away or limiting access to windows.

Protectiveness: This type is motivated by a perceived threat to their area or people. In this situation teach your dog a really strong recall (come) and use that to stop the barking. Then reward the dog for halting the bark and coming to you.

Excitement: To cease a dog from barking every time you come home or the doorbell rings, you will need to teach him to stay in a specific spot when the door opens for example, and treat him if he behaves.

Making your dog do something else other than barking is the key to stopping barking, you can also teach him some self-control behaviors such as “sit” or “stay”, followed by a reward.

Health Reasons: While you can’t do much in this situation, it is best to take him to a veterinarian.

What to Do If You Can’t Handle Your Dog’s Excessive Barking?

The previously mentioned tips should help you understand and treat your dog’s excessive barking, however, if the previous tips couldn’t help you solve your issue then you should take your dog to see the vet. A visit to the vet is always a good idea, you should keep track of your dog’s health by scheduling some pet visits.

These visits end up finding out what’s wrong with your dog if the problem was a health issue. if not, then your dog is definitely having an attitude. Maybe a new neighbor just moved into the neighborhood and your dog is being uncomfortable. Maybe it’s just having an attitude out of boredom. Point is, In this case, you need to take it to a professional dog trainer. You can find one through this link