Barking is one of the most common—and often most annoying—vocalizations made by dogs. In the wild, wolves are believed to bark for only two reasons: as an alarm to warn other pack members of danger and as a threat to ward off intruders. Unfortunately, domesticated dogs bark for a variety of other reasons as well, and excessive barking can become a serious problem for dog owners.
Contrary to the long-standing belief that barking is simply a response to boredom, current research shows that it is a specific form of communication used by dogs, along with body language and olfactory (smell) signals. There are several types of barks, each with a distinct sound and purpose.
Types of Barking and Their Causes
Warning barks are the most common type of barking, and most people encourage and accept this type of barking. These barks are meant to alert others to potential danger or a suspicious person. As a person approaches, warning barks may become more rapid and forceful. Aggressive barks are similar to warning barks but tend to be lower in pitch and are often accompanied by growling.
A dog stuck outside will commonly voice its concern through isolation barks. These barks are usually higher-pitched than warning barks and often occur as single barks in an increasingly insistent tone, as if to say, “Remember me? I’m OUT HERE!”
In addition, dogs have different types of barks for play, boredom, fear, and anxiety. While this barking is all part of normal behavior, some dogs are more frequent and excessive barkers than others, and this can often become a serious training issue.
In moderation, all of the above types of barking are perfectly normal. However, excessive barking can become a pathological problem for your dog, leading to obsessive-compulsive behavior, which can disrupt your home, your community, and even endanger your dog’s life if ignored.
The first step to curb excessive barking is to rule out possible underlying medical causes. Dogs who bark excessively may be suffering from separation anxiety, cognitive disorders, chronic diseases, or pain. These problems typically cause the dog to feel more anxious and restless, making them more likely to respond vocally to stimuli. Older dogs, in particular, may begin to suffer from neurological changes, hearing and vision loss, more frequent trips to relieve themselves, and discomfort—all of which may make them more prone to vocalizing.
Genetics can also play a part in excessive barking. Breeds such as hounds, dogs bred as watchdogs, and many working breeds are more prone to excessive barking.
Once medical causes have been ruled out, it’s important to examine the dog’s living situation to identify obvious causes of the barking that could be altered to provide fewer stimuli. For instance, a dog that sits by a window all day and barks at passing people might be easily remedied by installing a set of curtains. If your dog barks while outside and you are gone for the day, try changing their scenery by bringing them inside or finding a quieter indoor area to confine them with fewer distractions. Dogs left outside in the yard tend to bark more in response to boredom and loneliness, so increasing your interaction with them and going for more frequent walks can help satisfy their needs and curb the barking.
Behavior modification aims to address the underlying causes of the behavior while changing the dog’s response to stimuli through positive reinforcement. Consulting with a dog trainer or behaviorist will greatly increase your chances of success with behavior modification. It is easiest to accomplish with younger dogs that are still more trainable, and investing in proper training while they are young will improve your relationship in the long run.
A more severe form of behavior modification involves anti-bark collars, which use negative reinforcement to teach the dog not to bark. These collars come in two basic forms. The electrical stimulation collar automatically delivers a small shock to the dog when he barks. If the barking continues, the strength of the shock is increased until the barking stops. Because the collar is automated, you do not need to be present for it to correct your dog’s behavior. When your dog is quiet, no correction occurs.
Citronella collars are similar to electrical stimulation collars, but instead of a shock, they deliver a sudden mist of herbal spray into the dog’s face. Because dogs naturally have an aversion to citronella, they learn to avoid the correction by reducing their barking.
Dogs suffering from separation anxiety often bark excessively and may not respond as well to behavior modification and training as other dogs. Your veterinarian may recommend medication to reduce anxiety, in addition to behavior modification exercises, to make your dog more comfortable.
Although excessive barking can be one of the most frustrating and disruptive habits to curb, a careful approach using a combination of training, behavior modification, and potentially training aids or medication can help reduce your dog’s barking, restoring peace to your household.
