Bark! Bark! Bark!
Some canine behavior problems, such as house soiling, affect only a dog’s owners. However, problems such as escaping and excessive barking can result in neighborhood disputes and violations of animal control ordinances. Therefore, barking dogs can become "people problems." If your dog’s barking has created neighborhood tension, it might be a good idea to discuss the problem with your neighbors. It’s perfectly normal and reasonable for dogs to bark from time to time, just as children make noise when they play outside. However, continual barking for long periods of time is a sign that your dog has a problem that needs to be addressed.
The first thing you need to do is determine when and for how long your dog barks, and what’s causing him to bark. You may need to do some detective work to obtain this information, especially if the barking occurs when you’re not home. Ask your neighbors, drive or walk around the block and watch and listen for a while, or start a tape recorder or video camera when you leave for work. Hopefully, you’ll be able to discover which of the common problems discussed below is the cause of your dog’s barking.
Social Isolation / Frustration / Attention-Seeking
Your dog may be barking because he’s bored and lonely if:
- He’s left alone for long periods of time without opportunities for interaction with you.
- His environment is relatively barren, without playmates or toys.
- He’s a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and doesn’t have other outlets for his energy.
- He’s a particularly active type of dog (like the herding or sporting breeds) who needs a "job" to be happy.
Recommendations:
- Walk your dog daily. It’s good exercise, both mental and physical.
- Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice with him as often as possible.
- Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks and practice them every day for five to ten minutes.
- Take an obedience class with your dog.
- Provide interesting toys to keep your dog busy when you’re not home (Kong-type toys filled with treats or busy-box toys). Rotating the toys makes them seem new and interesting.
- Make sure your dog has sufficient time with you daily (petting, grooming, playing, exercising) so he doesn’t have to misbehave to get attention.
- Keep your dog inside when you’re unable to supervise him.
- Let your neighbors know that you’re actively working on the problem.
- Take your dog to work with you occasionally, if possible.
- When leaving your dog for long periods, use doggie day care or ask a friend or neighbor to help.
Territorial / Protective Behavior
Your dog may be barking to guard his territory if:
- The barking occurs in the presence of "intruders" such as mail carriers, children walking to school, or other dogs and neighbors nearby.
- Your dog’s posture appears threatening – tail held high and ears up and forward.
- You’ve encouraged your dog to respond to people and noises outside.
Recommendations:
- Teach a "quiet" command. Allow two or three barks, then say "quiet" and interrupt the barking by shaking a can of pennies or squirting water. Reward with a treat when quiet.
- Desensitize your dog to the trigger. Have someone approach from a distance, reward your dog’s quiet behavior, and gradually decrease the distance over time.
- If your dog barks while inside, call him to you, have him obey a command like "sit" or "down," and reward with a treat.
- Avoid encouraging barking by reacting to things outside.
- Have your dog neutered or spayed to reduce territorial behavior.
Fears and Phobias
Your dog’s barking may be a response to fear if:
- The barking occurs during thunderstorms, fireworks, or construction noise.
- Your dog’s posture shows fear – ears back, tail low.
Recommendations:
- Identify and desensitize your dog to the trigger. You may need professional help. Consider anti-anxiety medication from a vet while working on behavior modification.
- Block the noise with a basement or windowless bathroom, and use a television, radio, or fan to provide background noise. Close curtains or doors to limit visual triggers.
Separation Anxiety
Your dog may be barking due to separation anxiety if:
- The barking starts as soon as or shortly after you leave.
- Your dog follows you from room to room, greets you frantically, or shows distress when you prepare to leave.
- Your dog has recently experienced changes like being alone more, moving to a new house, losing a family member, or time in a shelter.
Recommendations:
- Use counter-conditioning and desensitization techniques. See the handout: "Separation Anxiety."
Bark Collars
Bark collars are designed to deliver an aversive when your dog barks. Types include:
- Citronella Collar: Sprays citronella when the dog barks. Effective but may go off due to other noises.
- Aversive Sound Collar: Emits high-frequency sound. Effectiveness is low.
- Electric Shock Collar: Not recommended. Painful and often ineffective.
Bark collars do not address the root cause. They must be used with proper behavior modification. Never use them for separation anxiety or fear-related barking, as they can worsen the problem.
Used with permission from the Denver Dumb Friends League.
