Do dogs get tired of barking?
Why is your dog barking excessively, and what can I do about it?
Excessive barking is not only annoying but also worrying.
Come with me and find out why your dog is barking and what you can do to stop it.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Why Do Dogs Bark?
There are various reasons why dogs bark. Dogs use barking to communicate their feelings, wants, needs, fears, and emotions. It is their way of talking to humans, other dogs, or animals.
Dogs also bark out of fear, aggression, frustration, stress, anxiety, or simply as an attention-seeking tactic.
Why do puppies bark?
Just like grown dogs, puppies bark to communicate their feelings and desires. A puppy will bark when it needs attention, express excitement when scared, and greet or protect its territory.
At what age do puppies start barking?
Puppies usually start to bark when they are aged between 7 to 16 weeks. However, their vocalization begins at 2-3 weeks, marked by little grunts or whines.
Can we help a puppy who barks excessively?
Yes, there are various ways you can use to stop puppies from barking excessively. First, you’ll need to find out the reason for the barking to identify how to address it effectively.
Do dogs get tired of barking?
No, dogs don’t get tired of barking unless the reason for their barking is identified and solved. Since it’s their way of communicating their needs, dogs won’t stop barking until they respond. However, physically tired dogs will bark less.
Do older dogs get tired of barking?
No, Older dogs can bark excessively due to a severe condition that needs to be addressed. It could be suffering from canine cognitive dysfunction or losing sight, making it anxious and resulting in barking.
What is self-reinforcing behavior in dogs?
These are behaviors that dogs naturally do because they enjoy doing them. These behaviors are naturally occurring, so dogs don’t need any motivation to engage in them. As such, you’ll not need to treat your dog to make it do these behaviors, as executing the activity is already naturally reinforcing.
Some of the reinforcing behaviors in dogs include:
- Chasing: Dogs enjoy chasing prey simply because chasing naturally urges them to do it repeatedly.
- Chewing: Dogs like to chew all the time because it is naturally comforting.
- Barking: Dogs do not need treats to bark as they naturally enjoy it.
When is a bark considered excessive?
If a dog barks for more than 30 minutes nonstop, or over five minutes per hour, without stopping for 4-5 hours a day or every five minutes per hour at night, it is considered excessive barking.
Why Do Dogs Bark Excessively?
Loneliness/Boredom
This is one of the main reasons why dogs bark excessively. Being pack animals, dogs dislike being alone. Leaving them in the yard or inside the house alone for a long time makes them lonely and sad.
As such, they often bark to express their boredom. Lack of exercise or activity breeds boredom in dogs. Consequently, if a dog lacks mental and physical exercise, it will bark to keep itself occupied and pass the time. Spending more time with them or getting a dog sitter can help solve this.
Barking as communication
Since dogs can’t talk, they use barking to communicate with humans, other dogs, and animals. This is how they let us know their feelings, desires, and needs. As a way of vocal communication, the barking may mean various things depending on the situation.
A dog will bark to express happiness, alarm, fear, greetings, frustration, or alert you on something. Therefore, a dog will bark when it needs something or wants you to do it.
Establishing / Marking Territory
Dogs bark when strangers, humans, or other animals invade their territory. When dogs get accustomed to a specific location, your home, for instance, is their territory.
As such, they often get defensive and bark whenever someone approaches them or attempts to enter. This is especially so when someone unfamiliar enters a space they consider their own.
Although it may be annoying when this happens with your visitors or guests, it can also be a helpful sign in case of individuals unfamiliar with your dog.
Alarm Barking
We all want our dogs to alert us whenever a stranger invades our property without permission, don’t we? This barking can serve as an intrusion warning, thus providing you time to react effectively and deter the intruder.
Dogs can also alarm bark when a storm or other adverse weather is approaching. This is because dogs can detect this before humans. Hence, a dog may bark when it senses earthquakes and other natural disasters before they happen.
Barking as a sign of greeting
Because dogs can’t communicate, they use barking to greet people or other dogs. Just like humans greet each other, this is the way dogs like to welcome their owners and individuals close to them.
This is usually a joyous bark that comes with jumping and tail wagging. Since this type of barking is out of excitement, it does not last long.
Barking to get attention
Dogs can also bark to seek your attention or that of other canines. They do this expecting some response from their owners. This is prevalent in dogs that have realized they can elicit an answer when they bark.
Attention-seeking can be in many forms. It could be as simple as caressing them, acknowledging their presence, or making eye contact. It could also be attending in terms of basic provisions such as food and water or other discomforts, including extreme cold or heat.
Dogs that bark for attention have learned that prolonged barking will trigger their owner to reward them somehow, whether by patting or rewarding them.
Social barking
Dogs are naturally social animals. As such, some dogs bark excessively when they hear other dogs barking. This barking is motivated by the dog’s desire to connect with other dogs. It usually starts when your dog hears another dog barking, and in reaction to this, it also starts barking.
When multiple dogs are barking in the same neighborhood, this is their way of socializing or communicating with one another. Although it may appear frantic, several dogs’ barking could be a cohesive conversation, with each dog showing different emotions, identifications, or desires.
Dog separation anxiety
Dogs that tend to bark excessively whenever left alone could be battling separation anxiety. (1) This usually happens when their owners or caregivers leave the house. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety exhibit other symptoms such as destruction, elimination, howling, pacing, and depression.
If your dog displays extreme anxiety every time you leave the house, it may have developed this behavioral issue which you should address promptly. If left untreated, this condition may escalate to a more severe problem.
Treatment of separation anxiety will depend on the seriousness of the anxiety. However, you should talk to your vet for a start.
Wildlife
Dogs, especially hunting dogs, are interested in wildlife, whether squirrels, deer, or raccoons. As such, they will bark, sensing the presence of wild animals around them. This barking mostly happens at night.
Unlike humans, dogs can see and hear wildlife in your surrounding environment quickly. If your dog is sensitive to noise, expect them to bark at the slightest movement by wild animals.
Loss of vision
A dog that is going blind may start barking excessively. This is more so for older dogs. As a dog age, body functions are altered, especially for senses like sight. Poor eyesight or cataracts can make your dog’s vision fuzzy or cloudy.
This is not only frightening but also confuses dogs. This condition can make even the most confident dog anxious or worsen any underlying anxiety issues making the dog bark even more.
It’s, therefore, fairly common for dogs with impaired eyesight to bark more frequently to get people’s attention when they can’t find them.
Do Some Dogs Bark More Than Others?
Yes, some dogs tend to bark more than others. Genetics, breed-specific characters, and environmental factors influence dogs’ inclination to bark.
Hunting dogs and pounds, for instance, are naturally prone to more barking as this is how they communicate with their owners once they spot prey or detect a threat.
Terriers and Beagles are also considered overly vocal since they were bred to forewarn their owners about small animals.
However, all dogs, regardless of the breed, bark as this has become a means of communication with humans or other canines and how they express their needs, feelings, wants, desires, frustrations, etc.
As such, you can expect other dogs, such as poodles, less predisposed to barking to also bark excessively under different situations and for various reasons.
Are there dogs that don’t or almost don’t bark?
Yes, some dogs, such as Cavaliers, Golden retrievers, and Italian Greyhounds, are generally silent dogs that seldom bark. Others like Shiba Inu and Basenji have different vocalizations, such as howling instead of barking.
Due to their imposing structures, dogs such as Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, and Bernese Mountain don’t bark much.
What factors increase barking in dogs?
These factors may contribute to increased barking in dogs:
Genetics
The rate of barking varies from breed to breed, depending on their genetic predisposition. Some dogs bark excessively, while others hardly bark, depending on how their ancestors were bred.
Environment
Dogs become accustomed to their surroundings with time. As such, they tend to react to unfamiliar or unexpected sounds by barking. Unlike a dog raised in a quiet rural setting that may bark at any sound, a dog bred in a busy city setting is less likely to bark as it’s used to the continued noise.
Rewarding behavior
Dogs can adapt barking behavior if they realize they get rewarded whenever they do so.
How To Stop Dog Barking?
There are several methods you can use to stop your dog from barking. However, you will need to identify the underlying reason for your dog’s barking to achieve success. This will help you define the right action to remedy the situation.
These are some of the ways you can use to achieve this:
Remove the motivation
Dogs usually bark because they get some form of reward for it. You’ll hence need to identify their source of motivation and eliminate it. Once they realize they get nothing from barking, they will stop doing it.
You can use sight barriers like opaque removable window films, privacy fences, or simply closing the window curtains to help calm your dog and stop it from barking.
If your dog stops barking persistently after throwing a toy to play with, you can give it the toy before it starts to bark. This way, it will not view the action as a reward for the barking.
Ignore the barking
If your dog barks excessively to catch your attention, it is best to ignore it if you don’t think it’s for a vital need like food, warmth, or water. Don’t respond to it, including staring, talking, or touching it, as this will only encourage them to bark even more.
Ignoring will make the dog realize that it can only get your attention if it remains still and not when it makes noise. However, this may take some time, as it may take your dog a while to understand what you’re doing.
Keep your dog tired
Keeping your dog physically and mentally occupied can help stop it from incessant barking. A tired dog is less likely to bark. Hence, ensure you keep your dog engaged by taking it for long walks, providing friendly games, or giving interactive toys.
Keeping your dog tired will make it less likely to get bored; hence it will bark less, enabling you to enjoy some calmness.
In addition, exercise also encourages the release of calming hormones and sedatives, which reduces the dog’s desire to bark. The amount of activities you give depends on your dog’s age, size, breed, and health condition.
Bark collars
These electronic training devices aim to discourage excessive barking in dogs. The devices work, slightly shocking the dog any time it barks. Although cruel and punitive, this method can be highly effective in reducing barking as dogs quickly learn that it will result in an adverse response.
However, this is not ideal as a first choice for dealing with extreme barking, especially due to fear, separation anxiety, or compulsion. Besides, dogs can learn to evade the negative response by avoiding barking when the collars are on but doing so when they are taken off.
Make sure they’re exercising.
If your dog is barking because it’s boring, you’ll need to provide extra activities to keep them active and less bored. Giving your dog exercises will provide a way of utilizing its excess energy well rather than making noise.
You can take your dog for walks in the neighborhood or play a ball game with her. Exercises also aid in releasing hormones and sedatives crucial for calming dogs down and reducing their urge to bark.
Giving sufficient exercise to your dog will make her tired and less energetic to bark. A tired dog is a silent dog.
Make sure they’re mentally stimulated.
Keeping your dogs mindfully engaged is an excellent way of ensuring they don’t bark unnecessarily. You can keep your dog mentally stimulated by providing interactive chew toys. (2) This will draw all her attention to figuring out how to get the food out.
You can also provide puzzle toys that help keep them focused on a task. These activities add meaning to their day and help avoid boredom. You can also play an interactive game with her since dogs love playing with humans. This will prevent them from excessive barking.
Reward good behavior.
Rushing to attend to your dog every time he barks for attention rewards them for bad behavior. This will make them realize that they will get rewarded if they bark. Rather than encouraging this behavior, you should reward them when they display good behavior.
If your dog is barking, ignore it entirely till he stops. Wait until it’s completely silent for a few minutes before rewarding it with a treat. This will assist your dog in relating to not barking with a favorable outcome. Additionally, good rewarding behavior can help your dog focus on the right things to bring rewards. (3)
Teach the “Quiet” command.
Teaching your dog the speak/quiet command is another helpful method that can help minimize your dog’s barking. Start by educating your dog to bark on demand. You can do this by instructing it to talk, then giving it a stimulus that will cause it to bark.
Offer a treat once the dog obeys the command and barks, then repeat until it has learned to bark on command.
When the barking is under control, move on to give it a ‘’speak’’ order. Then command it to be quiet when it starts barking. Wait until it’s silent, then reward it after a few seconds.
Although this may take some time, your dog will eventually understand ‘’quiet,’’ You can use this command to halt its barking.
Take a professional dog training course.
If you cannot deal with your canine’s barking by yourself, seeking the help of a professional is advisable. A skilled dog trainer can provide helpful solutions and suggestions on handling your dog’s barking.
Enrolling in a professional dog training course will equip you with valuable information for controlling your dog’s barking and impart skills to get your dog to have the precise behaviors you desire. Simply teaching your dog the quiet command can help it understand the expected behavior, which is quite helpful.
What does the U.S. law say about excessive dog barking?
Under the Animal Control Regulations subsection, the U.S. law prohibits any individual from owning a dog that howls or barks continuously or incessantly for over 20 minutes consecutively without being provoked by a passerby or another animal to disturb the tranquility and peace of the neighborhood. Herding dogs or dogs that do farm work are excluded from this prohibition.
If you have proof, such as a video clip of the neighbor’s dog barking for over 20 minutes, an animal control officer will investigate upon notification. An offender could pay between $100-$500 in fines or face a jail term of up to 6 months.
What you should never do if your dog won’t stop barking
- You should never yell at a barking dog, as this will not stop this behavior. Instead, it will encourage the dog to bark even more as it will think you are barking with them.
- Whatever the cause, never allow your dog to bark incessantly when it’s outside. You will never be able to stop the dog from barking by yelling at it from across the yard. Besides, it can cause problems with the neighbors.
- Do not strike your dog or use shock collars on it, as this is cruel and painful, and some dogs eventually devise ways of working around them.
Tips on how to shush a neighbor’s barking dog, inappropriate barking
- For a start, you should record a video of your neighbor’s dog barking for about a week, indicating the times when it barks.
- Next, talk to the neighbor regarding his dog, as he could be unaware of his dog’s incessant barking when he is away.
- If the neighbor decides to take action, encourage him to train his dog to bark only when there is a valid reason.
- If he’s unwilling to act, you can use a dog anti-bark device to send ultrasounds that the dog will only hear immediately after it barks. These sounds are irritating and can cause it to quit barking.
- If nothing else works, you can report it to the authorities.
Dog Barking: Frequently Asked Questions
Do dogs get sore throats from excessive barking?
No, barking is a dog’s way of talking. Barking dogs are similar to talking to people. As such, dogs can bark for extended periods without hurting their throats.
Do dogs outgrow barking?
No, dogs don’t outgrow barking. If your puppy is barking excessively, you should discourage this habit and other undesirable behaviors as soon as possible otherwise, it will extend into adulthood.
What Is an acceptable level of dog Barking?
This depends on the individual to whom the question is directed. However, 5 minutes per hour and not more than 4 times between 9.00 in the morning and 9.00 at night is acceptable.
Will muzzles stop barking?
Rather than teaching dogs to stop barking, muzzles refrain them instead. In addition to preventing barking, muzzles can prevent eating, drinking, and panting. As such, their use is highly unrecommended.
Why do some dogs bark more than others?
Some dogs have a natural disposition to bark depending on their genetics, age, and the environment in which they are bred; hence, they tend to bark more than others.
Is it best to ignore a barking dog?
No, you shouldn’t ignore your dog’s barking unless it’s just to get your attention. In this case, completely ignore it until it stops, then quickly give the treat to reward its silence.
What is considered excessive dog barking?
Suppose a dog barks continuously for over thirty minutes or over 5 minutes per hour for a minimum of 4-5 hours in a row during the day without stopping. Or when it barks for 5 minutes every hour during the night between 10 pm and 8 am.
What to do if a neighbor’s dog barks all day?
You place a dog barking deterrent device on your farm facing the direction from which the dog barks. This will produce irritating ultrasounds that can only be heard by the dog whenever it barks and trigger it to stop barking.
Can you call the cops if a neighbor’s dog won’t stop barking?
Yes, you can contact the animal control department of your local police. However, you should use this only as the last option. You should talk to your neighbor about his dog’s barking before acting.
Who do I call to complain about a barking dog?
Contact your local animal control agency, town council, or police department about a barking dog. This depends on the rules and regulations in that specific jurisdiction area.
Is there a whistle to stop dogs from barking?
Yes, some whistles are made to control dogs barking at home. These whistles work by emitting irritating ultrasounds that the dogs can only hear. A dog will stop barking if he associates his barking with these annoying sounds.
What is the best device to stop dog barking?
Ultrasonic barking devices are the best for stopping dogs from barking. When used properly, these devices generate a high-pitched frequency unpleasant to dogs’ ears that can stop a dog’s barking.
Is it best to ignore a barking dog?
No, you shouldn’t ignore your dog’s barking unless it’s just to get your attention. In this case, completely ignore it until it stops, then quickly give the treat to reward its silence.
How do you get my dog to shut up?
You’ll need to identify the root cause of the barking before taking action to stop it. Keeping your dog tired, exercising it enough, and teaching it the silence command are ways to stop it from barking.
Are bark collars cruel or a good solution?
Rather than dealing with the real cause of the problem, bark collars treat the symptoms instead. Additionally, they inflict pain on your dog, making it more aggressive hence they are not an ideal solution.
Can I spray my dog with water to stop barking?
Yes, you can spray your dog with water accompanied by a silent command when the dog is watered to stop barking. However, this is only a short-term solution.
Why do dogs bark for no reason?
No dog barks without reason. Barking is a means through which dogs communicate their feelings, needs, or wants. There must be a reason for your dog’s barking, which you should find out and sort out.
Do dog Ultrasonic and Silencer Max dog bark control work?
Yes, these devices are safe and can control dogs barking. However, this should not be used as a long-term solution. It’s best to find out the exact reason for your dog’s barking and fix it.
What to spray dogs with to stop barking?
You can turn on the faucet in your backyard or patio and use a hosepipe to spray your dog on a hot day, a clean spray bottle, or a water gun if you are inside the house.
Can a landlord make you get rid of your barking dog?
Unless you have signed a no-pet clause, your landlord can not force you to get rid of your barking dog. However, teaching your dog to avoid barking without reason is best.
Why is my dog barking at the wall?
It may be because your dog hears voices behind the wall or cognitive dysfunction, especially if the dog is senior. To rule out this, take your dog to a vet for evaluation.
Is there a color that could calm a dog that barks excessively?
In addition to the dogs’ favorite colors, blue and yellow, purple is a calming and relaxing effect on dogs. You can use this to paint your dog’s cottage or install a LED with the same to stop your dog from barking.
Why does my dog constantly bark when other dogs are barking?
This is an inborn behavior in dogs that they use to communicate with each other. Dogs in a pack within the same neighborhood can bark together to warn other packs to stay away from their hunting area.
Why has our dog started barking at me?
If your dog is barking at you, there is something it’s trying to communicate to you. They may alert you of something, seeking your attention, if it’s thirsty or wanting to urinate, etc.
Why does my dog bark excessively when it sees another dog?
Your dog may view another dog as a threat to itself or you and hence bark excessively to signal the other dog to stay away since it’s unaware of its intentions.
How long can a dog bark?
There is no definite time limit for how long a dog can bark, as they can bark for a very long time. Factors like the reason for the barking, the situation, and the stimuli influence how long barking lasts.
Can dogs bark very loudly?
Yes. Some dogs, such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, are loud barkers with over 100 decibels. Beagles, Yorkshires, Lhasa Apsos, and Pomeranians also have loud barks.
Dog Barking: Final Thoughts
Dogs can bark for various reasons. It is a way to communicate and express their feelings and wants. They could be seeking your attention, alerting you on something, protecting their territory, or suffering from fear or anxiety, among other reasons.
Therefore, it is crucial to determine the root cause of this behavior to determine the most effective way to deal with it.
Never yell at your dog or punish him for excessive barking, as this could worsen the condition.
Well, that’s all about excessive barking in dogs and how to deal with it.