Written in collaboration with vets
Dogs bark for many different reasons, and some dogs bark much more than others. Whether your dog barks through excitement, loneliness, fear or for other reasons, owners may want to know how to stop my dog barking - through increased exercise, distraction, using calming methods or through behavioural training techniques - before too much barking becomes a nuisance.
This article looks at why dogs bark, what makes some dogs bark incessantly and outlines some simple solutions for how to stop excessive barking.
Dog barking is a way for your pet to communicate how they’re feeling. It’s normal for dogs to bark when they’re excited, scared, isolated, unwell, in distress, angry or frustrated, but some dogs bark more frequently or for longer periods than others. But how much is too much, and when should you try to stop dog barking outbursts?
Under the UK’s Environmental Protection Act 1990, excessive noise by a barking dog - which includes frequent barking over lengthy periods of time, barking continuously for more than a few minutes, or barking late at night or early in the morning - can be considered a statutory noise nuisance, and local authorities have the power to take action to stop dog barking if it’s causing a disturbance to others around you. Increased barking could also be an indication that something may be wrong with your dog, their health and well being or their environment.
Excessive dog barking can be caused by a dog being left alone for too long, shut indoors or outdoors for long periods of time, lacking stimulation, being overly hungry, as a territorial response, wanting attention or even being unwell, unhappy, suffering separation anxiety or being in distress. Some breeds, such as terriers, are genetically more prone to barking than some other breeds, but it’s important to determine why your dog is barking in order to work out how to stop a dog from barking excessively. If you think something may be wrong with your dog, make an appointment with your vet first and foremost.
If you’d like to know how to stop my dog barking, first find out what they might be trying to tell you. Are they sad, lonely or lacking stimulation? If your dog simply barks occasionally, such as when visitors arrive, they want to go for a walk or if they want you to give them their favourite toy, this is entirely normal canine behaviour. But if you want to know how to stop excessive barking from your dog, this will require a different approach.
If there’s nothing immediately wrong with your dog, such as being shut outside when they want to come indoors, some dogs stop barking when they fail to get their owners’ attention. Ignoring excessive barking may help, but only if you give them attention and praise when they stop and become calm. This won’t work for all dogs though, meaning the solution to how to stop a dog from barking is to train them.
Dogs can often become anxious and scared if they’re left alone, especially for long periods which is never advisable. However, there will always be times when you need to leave your dog on their own briefly, and safely training them to keep themselves calm when they can’t see you can help to stop dog barking before it gets excessive. Build up the training slowly, getting them used to being alone for just a few minutes at first, in a place of safety such as their bed in a familiar room. This can help to reduce separation anxiety and stop dog barking sprees, especially if you make a big fuss of them and reward them when you return, with plenty of affection and perhaps a little adult dog treat. You can use similar training reward techniques, but staying by their side and using a soothing voice, to help keep them calm when things get a bit too much for them.
Some dog owners find success in how to stop excessive barking by keeping their dog active, so they’ll be less likely to bark through boredom, loneliness, frustration or by demanding attention all day. Some dog breeds will need more exercise than others, and larger or more active dogs may require more than one walk daily to tire them out sufficiently. Remember that playing active games at home also counts as exercise, so by spending more time engaging with your dog you’ll help to support both their emotional and physical health, as well as building a strong bond between you.
If you’ve noticed a particular place, person or situation stresses your dog and makes them bark, try to avoid it. Some dogs also love to bark loudly at other dogs, particularly if they’re scared, asserting their authority or aren’t used to being sociable. You may need to cross the road to stop dogs barking at other dogs if you see another pooch approaching, and gradually build their social skills. Or if your dog barks excessively at birds out of the window, you may need to draw the curtains or move them to a different area. It’s vital not to reward your pet for barking, but instead reward positive behaviour. You can use distraction techniques, such as a squeaky toy or a ball, keep them on the lead in areas where they may be triggered or train them to tell you what they want in other ways. Consistency is important, so stick to your training or distraction plan, and never shout at your dog or punish them for barking as it may make the situation worse.
If you’ve ruled out any illness, injury or pain causing the barking, there are other techniques you can use for how to stop a dog from barking. Try ignoring the barking and only giving your dog attention as a reward when they stop. You can also try impulse control training, maintaining a consistent routine, and teaching them a verbal ‘be quiet and calm’ cue, which can be particularly useful for how to stop a dog barking at night. Remember that dog barking is a normal and natural form of canine communication, so only use positive reinforcement methods to help them keep barking to acceptable levels. If all else fails, an animal behaviourist might be able to provide some insight and come up with some solutions unique to your pet’s personality.
It’s normal for puppies to bark at everything and everyone, and they should grow out of it with gentle training and positive reinforcement. Make sure your dog has plenty of exercise, isn’t left alone for long periods and has plenty of mental and physical stimulation. You should also teach your dog how to be calm in potentially stressful situations, which is where dog training comes in. Some owners find a dog-calming plug-in solution can also help.
By not responding to your dog’s frequent barking, they will learn that they won’t be rewarded for unruly behaviour. Some owners do this by creating a serene and safe space for their dog to retreat to, removing the stimulation, or by distracting their pet with a toy or a game. It can be highly frustrating when a dog barks at everything, but with consistent training and rewarding good behaviour most dogs grow out of this habit.
Don’t forget that dogs will bark to communicate, and it’s this strong human-dog bond which remains one of the reasons why we love them. Fostering a calm and caring home environment, with a consistent routine, plenty of exercise and healthy rewards for good behaviour, can help your dog to feel happy, secure and confident enough to stop excessive barking. Read more dog advice on how to stop a dog from barking on the Pedigree website.
