Dogs bark for many reasons, each with its own distinct sound. From the constant drone of boredom barking to the edgy tones of aggressive barking, and the excited yip-bark of a happy dog, each type of bark conveys something different. How you respond to each one is important – it teaches your dog what is acceptable and what is not, when barking is appropriate, and it might even save your home or valuables from potential thieves.
The 3 Types of Barking
Boredom barking is the most annoying type of nuisance barking. It serves no purpose other than to irritate everyone within earshot. This type of barking is also the hardest to stop, mainly because you’re usually not present when your dog is bored. Without you there, there’s no way to correct the behavior, except by addressing the boredom itself. Thankfully, this is relatively easy to manage – give your dog more exercise, take him on longer walks, spend more time with him when you’re home, and provide engaging activities for him when you’re away, such as a chew toy or a kibble ball. Bored dogs can also become destructive, so keeping them both mentally and physically stimulated will help keep them content and quiet.
Happy barking is typically brief, caused by an exciting event such as you coming home, mealtime, or playtime. Most people don’t mind this type of barking, as long as it’s kept to a minimum and doesn’t occur during quiet hours, like when people are sleeping. However, if you have a grumpy neighbor who can’t stand the happy, excited bark, there are a few simple ways to address the issue. First, avoid encouraging the behavior. For instance, when feeding your dog, keep your actions calm and reserved, only giving him his food once he’s quiet. Ask him to sit rather than letting him jump around or become overly excited, and keep your voice calm. If he barks when you come home from work, ignore him until he calms down. Ask him to sit, and only greet him when he’s under control. Once he’s sitting nicely, calmly pet him and tell him he’s a good boy, rewarding the appropriate, non-barking behavior.
Aggressive barking is a more challenging behavior to manage. After all, one of the reasons we get dogs is for protection, so discouraging barking at strangers might seem counterproductive. However, only a few short barks are typically needed to warn you. Encourage your dog to continue his warning barks, but once he’s done his job, thank him and let him know he can be quiet now. Use a calm voice to call him over for a pat or two, rewarding him for being vigilant while teaching him how much barking is appropriate. Once your dog learns that only a few quick barks are needed before receiving praise, he’ll become more controlled in his aggressive barking, making it easier to manage these sessions.
Barking is a natural part of life for most dogs, so it’s difficult to control completely. Dogs that are instinctual barkers – those bred to use barking as part of their “job” – may never be fully quiet, but you can certainly work to reduce the frequency and intensity of their barking. To help control barking, try a combination of strategies: more exercise, more mental stimulation, managing the level of excitement that contributes to their barking, and maintaining verbal control over when they bark. Once your dog learns the new boundaries, he’ll become a happier, more content dog. Most dogs prefer living with a routine and clear rules. Keep calm during training sessions, and you’ll both enjoy a new level of peace and tranquility in your lives!
