You may have heard the idiom, a barking dog seldom bites. We definitely wouldn’t put that to the test, but one thing is certain: a dog that won’t stop barking will eventually put everyone on edge.
Why Won’t My Dog Stop Barking?
If your dog’s barking seems endless, you’re not alone.
“Barking is certainly a natural means of communication for our dogs,” says Dr. Lois Palin, VMD, of Doylestown Veterinary Hospital & Holistic Pet Care. “But when it becomes excessive it’s problematic, to say the least.”
When this happens, understanding the why is a critical first step to learning how best to manage the barking “and have a better relationship with our pets,” Dr. Palin explains. She believes there are at least five reasons for a barking blitz.
“The most obvious is communication,” Dr. Palin says. “Dogs bark to tell us what they need and what they’re feeling and to signal to us that they’re alerted by something. For example, a dog might warn us of a stranger approaching or another animal coming around. They might bark because they’re excited to see their owners or because they want to play.”
Another reason dogs bark? Attention. “Whether it’s to get food or even just because they’re bored and are looking for some interaction,” says Dr. Palin. When it comes to attention-seeking barks, however, any response may inadvertently reinforce the behavior and lead to more outbursts.
“If we give them that attention it encourages them to bark more in the future,” Dr. Palin continues.
A third reason for incessant barking may be due to a protective instinct.
“Dogs are territorial animals,” Dr. Palin says. “If they sense some sort of threat to their space, they’re going to bark to scare off an intruder or protect their territory. For example, dogs may bark at the doorbell or when they see a person walking past their house.”
Separation anxiety is also a common contributor. “There are dogs who become very anxious whenever they’re left alone,” Dr. Palin explains. “This causes barking and howling and whining. This kind of barking would be accompanied by other symptoms and destructive behavior, like excessive drooling and those types of things.”
Rounding out Dr. Palin’s list of reasons for redundant barking? Boredom or frustration. “Some dogs bark when they’re not getting enough physical or mental stimulation,” she says. “This would likely be prevalent in high-energy breeds that require more activity.”
Determining the reason for disruptive barking is step one in solving the problem. Once enlightened, however, the main question becomes: “How do you curb this behavior?”
In the Pursuit of Peace and Quiet
According to Dr. Palin, patience and consistency with training are paramount when correcting excessive barking.
Positive Reinforcement
“You want to use positive reinforcement training by rewarding a dog for quiet, calm behavior,” Dr. Palin explains. “When a dog stops barking – that’s when it gets a treat or praise.” This signals to your pet that being quiet is going to lead to a positive outcome.”
Teaching dogs the “quiet” command is key.
“When your dog barks, you say ‘quiet’ in a firm, calm voice. Once they stop, you reward them. They begin to associate that word – ‘quiet’– with ceasing the behavior.”
Ignorance that Leads to Bliss
For attention-seeking barkers, sometimes the best course of action is… none at all.
Dr. Palin understands that ignoring the noise may be challenging but says it is also frequently necessary.
“As I mentioned, our response can cause dogs to want to bark more,” Dr. Palin says. “As hard as it is, if a dog is barking solely for attention, ignoring it is crucial. Responding negatively can reinforce the behavior because the dog is still getting a response from you. The idea is to have the dog learn that the barking is not going to result in any attention, whatsoever.”
Easing Your Dog’s Triggers
Desensitization, too, is helpful for dogs who bark as a result of specific triggers.
“For dogs who bark at the doorbell or somebody walking by the house, you want to work on gradual desensitization,” Dr. Palin says. “You expose the dog to that stimulus at a low intensity and reward them for being calm. Over time – and it certainly takes time – hopefully, you’ll see your pet is being less reactive.”
Seek Professional Guidance
If pet owners have taken the above steps, and nothing is helping to correct the problem – a call to the veterinarian is in order.
“If barking becomes persistent or, honestly, when it’s anxiety-related, your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist – this is a veterinarian who has completed a residency in behavioral medicine – can provide more specific solutions to the problem. We may suggest some pharmacologic intervention to treat anxiety while recommending other strategies for behavior modification at home.”
After all, when it comes to our pets and their well-being, a concerned call to the vet is never barking up the wrong tree.
If you’re struggling with incessant barking, reach out to Doylestown Veterinary Hospital today.
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