Barking is one of many forms of communication from your dog. It can be positive if they bark a few times to alert you when someone is approaching your home or to guard off unwanted visitors. They may also bark to communicate when they want something.

However, sometimes barking can be a nuisance. To treat nuisance barking, you need to first identify the cause and motivation behind their barking, then work on steps to correct their behaviour. We have some tips to help.

 
 

Quick tips when training your dog not to bark

  • DO keep it positive – focus on rewarding your dog for positive behaviour. Use things like treats, praise, pats and play.

  • DO be consistent – use the same training method every time your dog barks inappropriately and make sure the whole family is on board, so you don’t confuse your dog.

  • DO get a vet’s opinion – your dogs barking may be in response to an illness or injury that is causing them pain. It is worth ruling this out before training your dog not to bark.

  • DON’T encourage barking – at everyday sounds like car doors slamming, voices, dogs passing by your home, kids playing etc. by saying “who’s there?” or getting up and looking out the window. This can encourage your dog to bark at common noises.

  • DON’T muzzle your dog – for long periods of time, unsupervised. Dogs can’t eat, drink or pant to cool themselves down while wearing a muzzle.

  • DON’T punish your dog - never yell at your dog for barking as it sounds like you are joining in with them and may encourage them further. Sometimes their motivation for barking is far greater and they will simply ignore your response anyway.

 

Why is my dog barking?

The first step is to determine why your dog is barking. The following questions can help guide you. Also read through the next section for further assistance.

  • Is there a particular time that your dog barks?

  • Where are they when they bark?

  • What are they barking at?

  • What sounds or things trigger your dog to bark?

  • How often do they bark? Is it a nuisance to you, your family or others?

 

Why do dogs nuisance bark and how can you correct their behaviour?

Injury or illness barking

Dogs can bark when they are in pain. It’s always important to get a vet’s opinion to rule out any medical issues before training your dog not to bark.

 

Territorial barking

Dogs can bark excessively to defend their home, family car, surrounding areas or their owner. Their barking can be in response to people, dogs or other animals. As the threat gets closer the barking normally gets louder.

Examples of territorial barking:

  • Letting you know when visitors are arriving or someone is coming to the door ie. footsteps approaching, doorbell rings or knocking at the door

  • Sights and sounds of other dogs or people passing by

How to correct territorial barking:

  • Ask them to do something else – when your dog starts barking throw a treat onto their bed or take them to another room. Give them a command such as “go to your bed/room”. Reward them for good behaviour. Once they are reliably going to your chosen location, open the door. If they stay on their bed/in the room, give them a treat. If they don’t close the door. Repeat until they stay when the door opens. Continue to reward them for good behaviour.

  • Block their view – it can help to block their ability to see or hear other people or animals. You can close the curtains or blinds or play some overriding sounds such as the radio or television. You can also remove their vantage points such as a chair or table that they are climbing on to see outside. If they are in the car, you can teach them to ride in a crate which will restrict their view.

  • Teach the “quiet” command – if the above two options don’t work, you can teach your dog the “quiet” command. When your dog starts barking use a calm, firm voice to tell your dog to be “quiet”. Wait until they stop barking, even if it’s just to take a breath, then praise them and give them a treat. You can also make a startling sound like shaking your keys or clapping your hands to get their attention. Then call them away from the door and offer them a treat if they remain quiet.

 

Alert barking

Dogs can bark at sights or sounds that they find alarming when they are not in a familiar place. They will normally stiffen their body and they may pounce forward with each bark. This is different to territorial barking as it can happen anywhere.

Examples of alert barking:

  • Seeing or hearing strangers or other dogs approaching

  • Seeing or hearing a wild animal moving

How to correct alert barking:

  • Distract them – if you dog barks at strangers or other dogs you can distract them with special treats before they begin to bark. You may also encourage them to sit as other people or dog’s pass by.

  • Acknowledge them – if your dog barks at wildlife, you can acknowledge them with a simple “ok” and a pat. If you ignore their important message, they may get louder to make sure you are listening.

  • Teach the “quiet” command – if the above two options don’t work, you can teach your dog the “quiet” command. When your dog starts barking use a calm, firm voice to tell your dog to be “quiet”. Wait until they stop barking, even if it’s just to take a breath, then praise them and give them a treat.

 

Greeting barking

Your dog may bark to greet other people or dogs. Their body is normally relaxed, their tail wagging and they look excited.

Examples of greeting barking:

  • Seeing or hearing yourself, friends or family members coming home

  • Saying a friendly hello to other people or dogs through the fence or on walks

How to correct greeting barking:

  • Low key greetings – train your dog to sit and stay when guests arrive. Its best to practice this without visitors first. Ask visitors to keep arrivals low key to prevent over excitement.

  • Toys – have a toy near the front door to offer your dog before visitors enter. Encourage them to pick up the toy before guests come inside. If they learn to hold a toy in their mouth, they will be less inclined to bark.

  • Treats – during walks you can offer your dog small treats as other people and dogs walk past. Some dogs prefer to be sitting, others prefer to keep moving. Continue to reward them for good behaviour.

  • Bring them indoors – you can discourage your dog from barking at others in the neighbourhood by bringing them indoors when there are other dogs or children outside the fence and turning the television or radio on to block out the noise if required.

 

Attention barking

Your dog may bark to get attention from people or other animals for a reward, food, toys or playtime.

Examples of attention barking include:

  • Barking or whining when they want dinner, a treat, to go for a walk or to play

How to correct attention barking:

  • Clear body language – if your dog is nuisance barking for attention you need to send a clear message that their efforts will fail. If they start barking for attention you can turn away from your dog or even walk out of the room. As soon as they stop barking, ask them to sit and give them a reward.

  • Eliminate barking situations – look at why your dog is barking and try to remove or change the situation. For example, if your dog barks at you when their toys get stuck under the couch, block this space so the toys can’t get stuck beyond their reach.

  • Distract them – if the situations are predictable such as your dog barking when you take a phone call, you can distract them with a special treat or toy before they begin to bark.

  • Teach the “quiet” command – if the above options don’t work, you can teach your dog the “quiet” command. When your dog starts barking use a calm, firm voice to tell your dog to be “quiet”. Wait until they stop barking, even if its just to take a breath, then praise them and give them a treat.

 

Compulsive barking

Some dogs bark compulsively and often in a repetitive manner. For example, they may run back and forth along the fence line of your home barking non-stop.

Examples of compulsive barking:

  • Dog barking repeatedly and for long periods of time at things that would appear as nothing to other dogs such as shadows, the sky, light flashes etc.

  • This can be accompanied by other repetitive behaviours such as circling and jumping.

How to correct compulsive barking:

  • Safe backyard - make sure your backyard is safe and provides suitable shelter and plenty of fresh water. If your dog is tied up, switch to keeping them loose in a safe fenced area.

  • Entertainment – make sure your backyard is an appealing place for your dog to be with plenty of toys. You can make your backyard more entertaining by offering puzzle toys or safe chew toys that take time and energy to play with.

  • Exercise - your dog needs daily physical exercise to expend their energy.

  • Teach the “quiet” command – if the above options don’t work, you can teach your dog the “quiet” command. When your dog starts barking use a calm, firm voice to tell your dog to be “quiet”. Wait until they stop barking, even if its just to take a breath, then praise them and give them a treat.

  • Get help - barking can become more ingrained the longer it goes on. If you are having difficultly correcting your dogs behaviour get in touch with your local veterinarian or a behavioural professional.

 

Frustration or excitement barking

Dogs can bark when placed in a frustrating situation such as when they are confined or tied up or when they can’t get to their doggy pals. They can also bark in excitement when something is about to happen, but they are being held back. Such as barking at the door when you are getting ready to go for a walk.

Examples of frustration or excitement barking:

  • Confined or tied up in the backyard and want to be let free

  • Seeing other dogs or children in the street and wanting to play but can’t

  • Seeing a cat or wildlife run by and wanting to chase it but can’t

  • Excitedly waiting to go for a walk, get fed, play

How to correct frustration or excitement barking:

  • Safe backyard - make sure your backyard is safe and provides suitable shelter and plenty of fresh water. If your dog is tied up, switch to keeping them loose in a safe fenced area.

  • Obedience training – you can train your dog to control their impulses by teaching them to sit, wait and stay before going on walks, feeding or playtime.

  • Bring them indoors – you can discourage your dog from barking at others in the neighbourhood by bringing them indoors when other dogs or children are playing outside. You can also turn the television or radio on to block out the noise.

 

Social barking

Some dogs bark excessively in response to other dogs. This can occur when they hear a dog in neighbourhood, even from a distance. Dogs are social animals, so it is natural for them to bark when they hear other dogs barking. The only time it becomes a nuisance is if it is excessive or disturbing others.

Examples of social barking:

  • Hearing other dogs barking in the neighbourhood and barking back

  • Meeting other dogs on walks or at the park and barking hello or during play

How to correct social barking:

  • Bring them indoors – you can discourage your dog from barking at others in the neighbourhood by bringing them indoors when other dogs are barking and turning the television or radio on to block out the noise.

  • Distract them – you can distract your dog with treats or play when they start barking at other dogs. For example, you may throw the ball or frisbee for them to retrieve, giving them something else to focus on.

  • Teach the “quiet” command – if the above options don’t work, you can teach your dog the “quiet” command. When your dog starts barking use a calm, firm voice to tell your dog to be “quiet”. Wait until they stop barking, even if its just to take a breath, then praise them and give them a treat.

 

Separation anxiety barking

If your dog’s barking starts every time they are left alone or are being looked after by someone else, it may be separation anxiety. This will often be accompanied by other signs of distress such as destruction, pacing, elimination or depression.  

Examples of separation anxiety barking:

  • Showing distress behaviours such as barking, howling, destruction, house soiling when you leave them. This can happen as you are getting ready to leave or when you are gone.

How to correct separation anxiety barking:

  • Build up over time - start out slowly by leaving your dog alone for short periods of time such as 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Once they are comfortable with short amounts of time, gradually increase ie. 20 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour. Keep increasing the time you spend away until you can leave for the full amount of time that you require without any problems. Also, refer to our article; 5 Tips to Help your Pet through Separation Anxiety.

  • Exercise - your dog needs daily physical exercise to expend their energy. If you can exercise them before you leave this can tire them out, placing them in a calm, restful state before you leave.

  • Entertainment – make sure they have some extra toys to prevent boredom. Items that have your scent such as worn clothing can help your pet relax and remember that you will come back. Hide treats around the house or backyard for them to find while you are away. You can also offer your dog a frozen food stuffed toy, food puzzle or automated toy to keep them occupied. Another option is to play soothing nature sounds to help them relax and fall asleep.

  • Stay calm & assertive - when you are ready to leave, try to put any guilty, nervous or concerned feelings aside. Instead stay calm and assertive, which will let your dog know that everything is going to be okay, helping to ease their anxiety.

  • Change the going away signal - if your pet gets nervous when seeing signs you are about to leave, like grabbing your keys or putting your shoes on, work on those cues. Grab your keys, then put your shoes on and sit down at the table. Or pick up your keys and watch TV. Try doing this many times until your pet feels less anxious about these cues.

 
 

Your dog’s barking is one of many forms of communication. It can be helpful in certain situations and other times frustrating. If your dog is nuisance barking and you are having difficulty correcting their behaviour, get in touch with your local veterinarian or a behavioural professional.