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Dogs bark and for a host of different reasons. They may bark as a reaction to a threat, either imagined or real , boredom as a result of being alone, excitement when playing, to get attention or in response to some other stimulus, for example the doorbell. In other words, a dogs bark forms part of a broader context of communication that is better examined in relation to other signals, such as the individual dogs body language.

Having understood that a dogs bark is natural and therefore expected, a dog who barks excessively however, not only causes stress to it’s owners but can become a social problem, leading to damaged relationships between neighbors, friends and relatives and in some cases to legal action against the owners.

Excessive barking is usually a symptom of an underlying problem, therefore before you can help your dog overcome this offending behavior, it is important to first address the root cause of the dog’s barking.

Frustration and stress can be a cause of barking, especially due to a dog spending too much time alone or not receiving enough exercise or stimulation. If you think this may be the cause of your dog’s barking, then daily exercise as well as games such as ‘fetch’ and ‘hunt the treat’ for example should help fix the problem. This is especially true for working breeds, for example the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd. The games give your dog a purpose and a goal. They like this.

Separation anxiety or an overreaction to being left alone can cause your dog to develop a problem of excessive barking. It is the job of the human to make both leaving the house and returning as uneventful as possible. When getting ready to leave the house do so 20 minutes before you actually leave. While preparing to leave don’t talk to your dog or make eye contact with him, continue go about your normal business. When you are ready to leave don’t say goodbye, just leave calmly. When you come home, act in a similar manner. Don’t talk to your dog or make a fuss. Sit yourself down and after a few minutes calmly call your dog to you and pet him or her gently. The idea is to make your dog understand that there is no big deal with you coming and going. Over time your dog should get the idea, and his barking should slow down or stop all together.

If your dog barks excessively to stimuli such as a bang or doorbell ringing for example, try teaching him commands such as ’speak’ and ‘quiet’. To do this attach your dog to a leash so you have more control over him and ask another person to ring the door bell. When your dog hears the bell and starts to bark, give him the command ’speak’, wait for a moment, then give him the command ‘quiet’. If he continues to bark, tug on his leash; the tug on the lead is not meant to be a punishment, but more to break dogs fixation on his barking. When he responds by calming down, give him a treat and praise. Keep working on this exercise until your dog can speak and become quiet on command.

Sometimes, a dogs barking can stem from dominance or aggression due to him being territorial in nature. This may be a result of his personality or his breed type. If this is the case, try managing the cues that trigger his barking. If your dog always starts barking when he hears the mailman arrive, try putting him in another room before your mail arrives. If your dog runs to the fence when a neighbor or stranger walks by, remove him from the yard completely. If he has no reason to bark, then his barking should slow down or stop naturally after a short period of time.

Many owners who spoil their dogs, especially smaller breeds, often find their dogs bark in an attempt to get their attention. In order to stop this unwanted barking, refuse to be manipulated by your dogs behavior. When your dog barks to get your attention, turn your back on him and refuse to respond to him until he quiets down. Once this happens, give him a treat. Again, use this time to work on teaching him the ’speak’ and ‘quiet’ commands.

Less often poor heath can be the cause of a dogs excessive barking; Arthritis, and problems with teeth and ears,can bring about unexpected bouts of barking, especially if the dog is getting older. If you think may be causing your dogs excessive barking, make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible to have your dogs health checked.

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