Author: Evie Van Hove

My dog barks a lot: what can you do?
 

Your dog's constant barking can be frustrating not only for you, but also for your neighbours. Although barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate, excessive barking can be a sign of underlying problems that you need to address. In this blog, we look at the reasons why dogs bark a lot and what you can do to control this behaviour.
 

1. Why does yYour dog bark?
 

Dogs bark for different reasons, and it's important to understand why your dog does this. Here are some common causes:
 

1.1. Vigilance

One of the most common reasons dogs bark is to monitor their surroundings. When your dog sees or hears something unusual, such as a passerby or another animal, it may bark to warn you and itself of a possible threat.
 

1.2. Boredom

If your dog does not get enough physical and mental stimulation, he may start barking to keep himself busy. Boredom is a common cause of excessive barking, especially in dogs that are left alone a lot.
 

1.3. Attention seeking

Some dogs bark to get attention from their owners. Whether it is for food, playtime, or just to get your attention, your dog may learn that barking is an effective way to get that.
 

1.4. Fear or stress

Dogs can bark as a reaction to fear or stress. This can happen in new or frightening situations, such as loud noises, strangers in the house, or when your dog is home alone.
 

1.5. Excitement

Barking can also be a sign of excitement. This often happens during play sessions, when seeing other dogs, or when your dog is looking forward to a walk.
 

1.6. Medical causes

Sometimes excessive barking can be caused by a medical condition, such as hearing problems or pain. If your dog suddenly starts barking more for no apparent reason, it is wise to have it checked by a vet.

2. How can you tackle excessive barking?
 

Depending on the cause of barking, there are several strategies you can employ to control your dog's behaviour:
 

2.1. Identify the trigger

The first step in tackling excessive barking is to identify the trigger. Keep track of when your dog barks and what is happening in the environment at that time. This will help you tackle the problem in a more targeted way.

• Keep a diary: Record when your dog barks, at what times of the day, and what is happening around him. This can help you spot patterns.
   

2.2. Limit vigilance

If your dog barks to guard his environment, you can try reducing the stimuli that cause the barking. This could mean closing the curtains, placing your dog in another room, or turning on background noise such as the television to distract him, for example.

• Give your dog a quiet place: Provide a place in the house where your dog feels safe and relaxed, away from the stimuli that trigger him to bark.
   

2.3. More exercise and stimulation

A tired dog barks less. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. This helps reduce boredom and excess energy, which often leads to excessive barking.

1. Daily walks: Take your dog for a walk several times a day to physically exhaust him. While doing so, let him sniff as much as possible, as this is also a mental challenge.
2. Play and train regularly: Games like fetch and puzzle toys will keep your dog mentally occupied and reduce the tendency to bark.
    

2.4. Teach your dog to be quiet

It is possible to train your dog to stop barking on command. This can be done through positive reinforcement and rewarding desired behaviour.

1. Use the ‘quiet’ command: When your dog barks, say ‘quiet’ in a calm, clear voice. As soon as he stops barking, reward him with a treat or praise. Repeat this process until your dog understands the command.
2. Avoid shouting: Shouting at your dog to stop barking can make the problem worse, as your dog may think you are participating in the noise.
    

2.5. Reduce anxiety and stress

If your dog barks out of fear or stress, it is important to work on reducing these feelings. This can be done by desensitising your dog to the triggers that make him anxious, or by creating a safe and calming environment.

1. Desensitisation and counter-conditioning: Gradually expose your dog to the things that make him bark, while at the same time giving him something positive, such as a treat. This helps him associate the situation with something positive.
2. Use calming aids: Calming sprays, vests or music can help your dog feel safer and calmer.
    

2.6. Don't give unwanted attention

If your dog barks to get attention, it is important not to inadvertently reward him for this behaviour. Completely ignore the barking and only give attention when he is quiet. While doing so, note that just looking at your dog already is also attention!

• Reward quiet behaviour: Wait until your dog is quiet before giving him attention, a treat or a toy. That way, he will learn that silence is rewarded.
   

3. Using bark collars and E-collars: why this is not a good solution

Although bark collars and e-collars are sometimes recommended to reduce barking, these devices are strongly discouraged. They work through punishment, for example by giving an electric shock, an unpleasant smell or a sound when your dog barks. This may reduce barking in the short term, but it has serious drawbacks and risks:

1. Bad for your dog's well-being: Using pain, fear or discomfort to change your dog's behaviour can lead to increased stress and anxiety, which seriously harms your dog's well-being.
2. Worsening behavioural problems: Instead of solving the problem, using these tools can lead to new behavioural problems, such as destructiveness, increased aggression, or a decrease in trust in you as an owner.
3. Symptom approach instead of solution: Bark collars and e-collars do not address the underlying cause of barking, but only suppress the symptom. This means the real problems remain and may even worsen.

Instead of these harmful methods, it is better to opt for positive training techniques that promote your dog's well-being and address the cause of the problem.
 

4. When to seek help?

If your dog continues to bark despite your best efforts, it may be useful to consult a professional dog trainer or behavioural therapist. They can help you better understand your dog's behaviour and draw up a specific plan to address the problem.
 

Conclusion
 

Excessive barking can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can manage this behaviour. By understanding why your dog barks and taking targeted steps, you can ensure a calmer and more relaxed environment for both you and your dog. Avoid using bark collars and e-collars, and instead focus on methods that respect and promote your dog's well-being. With time, patience and consistent training, your dog will learn when it is and is not appropriate to bark.

Evie Van Hove is PgD Clinical Animal Behaviour, certified puppy coach, dog trainer and behaviour coach. She has been business manager of Pettherapy.be since 2021.