Just as people have a huge variety of reasons for talking to each other, so too do dogs have a huge variety of reasons for barking. In general, dogs can bark to communicate a range of messages from pleasure to displeasure. Of course, the depth of the message can vary greatly, but a bark is a way a dog can let a pack member know that they're nearby. Dogs also bark when they're playing and engaged or when they're scared or threatened. Younger dogs bark just because they're excited, but that may change as the dog ages. In some cases, dogs may also bark to tell an intruder that they are not welcome on the property.
Barking also occurs to raise the alarm about a potential danger. A dog may bark before warning another dog to stop doing something or in response to some external stimulus. Dogs are pack animals and barking is one of the ways they communicate with the rest of the pack. Sometimes a dog may bark out of loneliness. We have all seen clips at the movies of a dog howling when it is left alone. If this is the case with your pup, it may be worth taking them to doggy daycare while you're away from home.
When trying to curb a dog's excessive barking it is critical to use positive reinforcement. Pet owners will often forget to encourage good behavior and then wonder why their dog does not learn the habit. Some dog owners use bark collars to curb unwanted barking. The collars sometimes use a citronella spray or shock the pup when they bark. To use these are a little excessive and plenty of ways to train a dog to stop barking without shock collars. If you have started getting noise complaints and the situation becomes an emergency, there may be a case for using this type of collar but it is best to speak to a vet first or professional dog trainer. Trainers are great for helping curb unwanted behaviors.
Now, while dogs may bark for a variety of reasons, they're often praised for their vocal talents too. Dogs like Huskys have awesome vocal talents and are excellent howlers. Dog trainers are even able to train Huskys to bark on command, although don't ask them to do it too often or they may get a sore throat!
What Are The Different Types of Barking To Look Out For?
Dogs bark for a variety of reasons: they might be alerting others to danger, communicating with other dogs, warning of a fight, and more.
Alerting BarkingIt may seem like a logical assumption that barking is the way that dogs protect their territory and home but dogs also bark to warn others that something is not right and to scare off any possible intruders. So if you're having a few friends over and your dog starts barking, assume that he is trying to let you know that someone is near or just about to knock on your front door.
Territorial BarkingTerritorial barking occurs when a dog is at home and barks when a stranger approaches the house or passes by.
Most dogs make territorial noises to warn threats of an arrival to the owner, but some dogs make territorial noises to also scare off strangers when they are seen in their territory. Usually, when they make territorial noises, the "threat" will leave.
For example, a dog might start to growl or a dog might start to show its teeth.
Some dogs will even chase the "threat," depending on their personality. People often try different methods to stop territorial barking. Some people try to ignore the barking. Some people try to use the dog's name when the barking occurs or yell "No."
Alerting BarkingAlerting Barking is a behavior where a dog barks as a way of alerting its caretaker to a possibly dangerous encounter. Not all barking is Alerting Barking. Dogs may be bored and simply bark to pass the time or they may be nervous and barking to alert their caretaker to a small and harmless thing such as a cat sneaking into the garden.
Excited BarkingBarking can be considered excited barking when it is prolonged, noisy, or done for no reason. This type of bark should be treated just as you would treat excited human laughter. Grab the attention of your dog by emitting happy, high pitched noises back at them.
Play BarkingPlay barking is a series of high-pitched barks that peter out into a rumbling growl, then a silence. Play barking is what follows a chase that follows a tug-of-war. In a way, it's a dog's way of saying I WON, or CHASE ME.
Defensive BarkingBarking for protection is a natural defensive behavior that some dogs exhibit. If a dog perceives a threat to his "territory," then this dog will react accordingly to defend its territory. In most cases, the fur rises on the neck and the dog will bark threateningly at the threat. Some dogs will bark aggressively to deter the threat away from their territory.
Why Do Some Dog Breeds Bark More Than Others?
A lot of dog breeds tend to bark more than others. This can be caused by many different factors like their breed or age. Have you ever wondered why some dogs bark more than others?
Which Dog Breeds Bark More Than Others?
Beagles are some of the breeds of dogs that bark more than others. They are known for barking to get the attention of their owners (especially when they want food). They are restless dogs that have been bred to hunt small mammals. They're hunting dogs, so they not only bark a lot, but they have a strong drive to hunt, which means they need a lot of exercise.
They can be great with kids, especially if they grew up with them, but they may not be the best choice for adults who work long hours or leave for extended periods of time.
Yorkshire TerriersYorkshire Terriers are some of the breeds of dogs that bark more than others. They are small, energetic, barky dogs that are best for owners that are at home most of the time.
If you're looking for a small dog that is high energy and likes to keep itself busy, then you should choose a beagle or a Yorkshire terrier.
Miniature Schnauzer Miniature Schnauzers are some of the breeds of dogs that bark more than others. They are playful, smart, adventurous dogs that need attention or they may get destructive.
Miniature Schnauzers are best for an owner that is on the go and has the time to spend playing with the dog all day.
PomeranianPomeranian dogs can bark more than others too. They are small, fluffy dogs that need constant attention. Pomeranian dogs are best for people that don't mind spending a lot of time with the animal.
Which Dog Breeds Bark Less Than Others?
Cavalier King Spaniels are popular pet dogs because they are gentle, sweet-natured, and playful, but are they known to bark a lot? Is this the type of behavior you can expect from this breed, and should you be concerned about it? Here's what you need to know.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not known for their excessive barking. However, depending on their environment and training, some dogs of this breed will bark more frequently. Separation anxiety, boredom, fear, or illness/injury can all result in increased barking for a short period of time.
Barking is to be expected if they are left alone for an extended period of time.
Golden Retrievers
Golden retrievers are among the friendliest and calmest pet dog breeds. They do bark, but they do so less frequently than most other dog breeds. This dog breed's general temperament is best described calm, patient, loyal and well behaved.
When they do bark, it is usually a friendly bark rather than an aggressive one.
Borzoi
Borzoi dogs are not known for being loud barkers, and many owners report that their Borzoi makes no noise at all. This is most likely due to their sighthound breeding – they can be very quiet and stealthy when they want to be!
If you are experiencing issues with excessive noise, you should consult with an accredited behaviorist.
Pugs
Pugs, on the whole, are very quiet dogs. When they bark, it may sound more like yodelling, or they may make small "yips" when they are excited. Pugs can be quite loud, barking and making a lot of noise at times, especially if there is a stranger or new visitor in the house but they’re generally quite dogs.
How to Train a Dog to Stop Barking Excessively?
Dogs will bark at anything, so it's important to understand what is triggering your dog's excessive barking. 9 times out of 10, there's no real trigger, and the dog is simply bored, so creating new toys or learning some new tricks can help. You can also train your dog not to bark by giving them praise the first time they stop barking after you've commanded them to stop.
How to Set Rules to Stop Your Dog From Barking Excessively?
Dog barking is a difficult issue for dog owners to deal with because it can be a real nuisance for neighbours and can escalate into a more dangerous situation if not dealt with properly.
Before training a dog to stop barking excessively, it is important to set rules for them to follow. They should not be allowed to bark outside the house and should only be allowed to bark when instructed. If the dog continues to bark for longer than what has been instructed, they should be given a consequence such as having their favourite toy taken away.
Consider using the "cease and desist" technique where you tell your dog to stop barking and then wait for them to do so without repeating the command.
Are There Any Positive Reinforcements I Can Use to Stop My Dog Barking?
One way to train a dog to stop barking excessively is to teach them to be calm and relaxed when they have nothing to do. If they are going to spend a lot of time in a crate, leave them in there while you're at work, teach them to rest quietly by providing a spare blanket and a comfortable bed.
You may also want to try a progressive desensitizing approach by slowly introducing a cause of the dog's constant barking. This can be done by slowly increasing the amount of time spent in close proximity to the cause of the barking, while the dog is commanded to not bark.
Positive Reinforcements:Reward your dog for being calm and relaxed at the end of a regular workday.
If you have a new puppy, the first thing you'll need to do is set up a schedule for his or her allowance of time to play and exercise. One of the most common causes of excessive barking in a dog is a lack of physical and mental stimulation. A tired dog doesn't have a lot of pent up energy so he or she is less likely to bark or be destructive.
In the morning, taking your dog for a quick walk is a good way to get him or her to play, which will tire them out. You can also teach your dog to bark on command then stop, while that may seem to contradict the point of this post, it is good to have control over your dog's barking if it goes on for too long.
Never hit your dog when they are barking. If you use this approach you are teaching them that bad things happen when they are noisy. You are also teaching your dog to fear you. Find out what triggers your dog's barking and try to get them to stop barking by teaching them better, more positive behavior.
How to Teach Your Dog to Calm down and Stop Barking?
It can be a challenge to teach a dog to stop barking. Some dogs bark as a result of boredom, as a way of communicating with other animals or people around them, or as a form of self-defence. Sometimes the barking is a reaction to different noises or even to other animals. There are a number of things you can do to teach them to stop barking.
One way is to spot the triggers and figure out what the dog is reacting to. Other animals or people walking by, a person ringing the doorbell or other noises that have been happening repetitively could be the trigger.
Dogs may bark more when they are inside the house and less when outside - you have to find its triggers.
To start the training process, the next time your dog barks without a valid reason, give them a command to stop barking and reward them when they do.
You can also teach a dog to "speak," meaning to bark on command. Teach the dog to bark on command by the verbal "speak," and then reward them. This could be a great way to get your dog to ONLY bark on demand rather than at everything.
Conclusion
Many dog owners find it difficult to understand why their dog barks so much. In reality, some dogs bark more often because of their breed. Following are some breeds that are known to bark more often. Dogs bark for anything really but if it's starting to annoy you or cause issues with other people then you should probably consider training.
