Your dog is barking all the time and your neighbors are pretty annoyed? Whether on the walk, in the garden, or at home – constant barking strains your nerves and those of those around you. And don’t forget – your dog’s too. To reduce the stress for everyone, we have put together some information on the causes and tips on how to stop excessive barking.
Why do dogs bark?
To understand what causes a dog to bark all the time, you should know why dogs bark. The ancestors of our dogs, the wolves, hardly ever communicate with each other by barking. Facial expressions, posture, growling, and howling are their actual means of communication. The regular barking of today’s domesticated dogs is based on the fact that we humans often do not perceive or misinterpret the original communication of the dogs. Our clever dogs have therefore adapted their communication to us, humans. Because when they bark, they usually get attention from humans in the hope that their needs will be recognized.
Today there are dogs that are more communicative than other dogs and bark more. Special dog breeds that were bred to guard the house and yard or to herd and herd cattle also appeal. So it has become normal for dogs to bark. But if a dog barks constantly and is difficult to calm down, then you have to take a closer look and find the causes. Because constant barking is not only extremely unpleasant for the environment, but also means permanent stress for the dog.
Why do dogs bark?
Because they cannot speak to tell us anything.
Dog barks constantly – These are the possible causes:
- Uncertainty about other dogs, unfamiliar people, or situations
- Fear of certain situations (e.g. being left alone)
- Low frustration threshold
- Territorial barking
- Loss of control (especially pronounced in herding dogs)
- Grab attention
- With joy
- When excited
- From boredom when not physically and/or mentally challenged
- Request to determine actions such as playing, petting, feeding, etc.
- In rare cases also with pain.
How much barking is normal for dogs?
There are dog breeds that, due to their outbred genetics, will strike and bark faster than other dog breeds. These include the guard and herding dogs. You could say it’s quite simply her job to bark. Anyone wanting to get a Spitz, Rottweiler, or Australian Shepherd in a rented apartment, for example, should therefore be aware of this disposition and warn the neighbors in advance.
Lack of capacity utilization and incorrect understanding of hierarchy
But of course, these dog breeds do not bark without a reason. If a dog keeps barking, then there is a serious problem. A dog professional should then look at the dog. Because we often try to explain the barking of the dog with humane causes. But a dog ticks very differently than we do. Often the missing species-appropriate omission is the cause or a wrong understanding of hierarchy in the dog. Because of their training and experience, a professional can usually identify the causes of constant barking much more quickly.
Why does my dog bark at every sound?
There are countless reasons why a dog is sensitive to noise. A dog trainer can usually quickly identify what the cause of this can be.
The barking of young and older dogs – training tips
Even in a young dog or even in puppies, barking can be territorial. However, it is also typical for young dogs and puppies to bark to get attention or to communicate fears. But people also bark when they are physically and mentally overwhelmed, for example when the little puppy is playing too much and he cannot recover.
If you now want to stop your young dog from barking, find out exactly what is causing the barking. If there is no serious reason, try to stop the barking with a serious, but not too unfriendly “No” or “End”. At the same time, use a specific hand signal just for that. This can be very helpful later. For example, when you’re on the phone or in a meeting, your dog is barking or about to start and you don’t want to or can’t interrupt the conversation with a “no”. What is of course not possible is to cover your dog or puppy’s snout. Such encroaching measures only destroy the relationship of trust between the dog and its human.
Dog Keeps Barking – Training Tips For Older Dogs
If you have an adult dog that barks constantly, you can also train it to stop barking or bark less. It usually takes a little longer to train him than it would with a young dog or puppy, but it’s a solvable task.
Here are some training tips against:
Bark when the doorbell rings
If your dog barks as soon as the doorbell rings, there can be different reasons for this. He wants to scare away an intruder from his point of view. Or with joy, because he is immediately greeted really well. Or because the unexpected noise startled him. The reasons can be very diverse. The goal of the following exercise is to use the sound of the doorbell as a new signal for the dog to get on his blanket, stay calm, and get his favorite treat in return. Start the exercise without the bell at first. Put your dog on his blanket and throw a treat in front of his paws. Repeat this procedure six or seven times, moving further and further towards the front door.
Now you need support from someone who rings the doorbell. Your dog is on his blanket. Now let the doorbell ring once. As always, your dog will probably run to the door and bark. You send him calmly but firmly back into place on his blanket. Only when he follows your command and behaves calmly will he receive his treatment immediately. Repeat this exercise six or seven times. Then you should give your dog a break from training so that it has the opportunity to think about the new situation. Repeat this exercise several times a day. If successful, begin to move away from the ceiling little by little before the ringing comes. If your dog stays in place and calm, throw his treat in front of his paws. Ultimately, the aim is for your dog to get on his blanket when the doorbell rings, lie down, remain calm, and receive his treat in return. It is important that he is only rewarded for the desired behavior. Unwanted behavior is consistently ignored and not rewarded.
How do I stop my dog from barking?
First, the cause of the barking must be found so that appropriate anti-bark training can be applied.
Barking on a leash
Most dogs bark out of insecurity. The aim of the training is to give your dog the security it lacks. The leash serves as an aid to you. With the leash, you give him more security with your extended arm. Your dog thus has direct contact with you. Confident, calm, and without pulling on the leash, dog or human encounters are now mastered by you as the pack leader. Your dog perceives that you are controlling the situation that he perceives as frightening. If your dog stays calm, he gets a treat in return. Barking is completely ignored and ignored. Only positive behavior is praised and rewarded.
Barking from separation anxiety
No dog likes to be left alone. Therefore, it must first be clarified whether the barking is really motivated by separation anxiety or a loss of control. This is how your dog learns that you always come back: It is helpful to start training after an eventful walk or sporting activity. The dog is then tired and after a bowl of fine food, you can relax in your favorite spot. Now you leave the room for a short time and come back calm and unexcited. Repeat this over and over and increase the amount of time you stay away. You make sure to keep the time variable – so always include short sequences. Occasionally take your front door key in your hand or even your jacket and sometimes close the door behind you for a short moment. Always send your dog back into place on the blanket if he wants to follow you. Older dogs that suffer from separation anxiety take a long time to overcome this fear. Therefore, it is good to practice being alone with puppies early on.
Why is my dog barking at night?
Dogs bark at night because they can’t sleep for a variety of reasons. Maybe the bladder is full, maybe there is noise in the stairwell, or a car honks in the street. Watch your dog and you will find out.
Dog barks constantly – Finally, two important and helpful tips
Anti-bark collars, regardless of whether they are powered or scented, have no place in dog training. They do not fight the cause of the barking, but usually, cause even more problems in the dog.
In many cases, dogs bark because they are not exercised or guided in a species-appropriate manner. We know that from ourselves, if we haven’t exercised enough for days or if we have to do the same stupid work day after day, we become dissatisfied. Our dogs feel the same way. So get off the sofa, have fun outside with your dogs and leave the cell phone in your pocket. Our dogs have a right to quality time with us.
