When Your Dog Barks

by Sarah Kirschling
Copyright 2010 -- Sacramento, CA, SPCA. Reprinted with permission.

Dogs bark--some more, some less. It's normal for dogs to bark for a whole variety of reasons. If your dog's barking has become a problem for you or your neighbors, you'll need to investigate the cause to find the solution.

Talking to your neighbors and letting them know you're working on the problem can be a big help. If your dog is barking when you're not home, your neighbors may be able to help you identify the trigger for your dog's barking; you might employ a tape recorder or video camera.

Often, the simple solution to the problem of a dog who barks in the yard is to bring them inside. For more information, see "Inside or Outside Dog?".

Alert Barking and Territorial Barking

Dogs bark to let their pack members know when there's something going on--someone passing by outside, a strange noise, a visitor coming toward the house. They also bark to warn "intruders" off; to your dog, intruders can include people, dogs, cats, or other animals--or even vehicles.

You can't teach your dog not to bark -- it's an automatic behavior -- but you can create an "off" switch by teaching your dog to be quiet on cue. Follow these steps:

Arm yourself with high-value food rewards: tiny pieces of nitrate-free hotdogs, meat or cheese work well.
Do the following sequence every time your dog starts alarm / watchdog barking:
- Dog starts to bark.
- Say the command "Quiet!" or "Enough!" while holding a yummy treat in front of your dog's nose. Let him sniff it, but don't let him have it yet.
- The dog will be distracted from barking by the treat. While the dog is quiet with its attention on the treat, repeat "Quiet!" or "Enough!" over and over for 5 seconds.
- Give the dog the treat after 5 seconds of perfect quiet. If the dog starts to bark again before the 5 seconds is up, repeat the process until you get 5 seconds.

This procedure must be repeated consistently for 4-6 weeks in order to be effective. Cut the treats back gradually on a schedule something like this:

Do the sequence for two weeks with treats 100% of the time.
Do for two more weeks with treats 75% of the time.
Do for two more weeks with treats 50% of the time.
Then, two more weeks with treats 25% of the time. After that, no more treats are needed, although you may want to offer them occasionally. Always praise them for complying!

You can also gradually increase the amount of time you expect them to be quiet before they get the treat.
Practice at first in set-up situations; your dog will need some time to learn before they can apply it in real-world situations. Once your dog is responding to these cues reliably, you can start to use your quiet cue in real-life situations. In any case, practice the "quiet" on common often to build up that "muscle." Practice makes perfect!

Boredom Barking

Dogs whose needs for socialization, exercise, or mental activity aren't being met may bark from boredom. Dogs need time with and attention from the people they live with every day, including playtime and mental exercise.

Dogs who are left outside for long periods will probably get bored, so you may want to bring your dog inside more, and consider getting a friend or dog walker to come over when you have to be away for many hours. There are also dog daycare facilities that provide supervision and activity for dogs while their owners are at work or otherwise busy.

Also consider other ways to occupy your dog like stuffed chew toys and puzzle toys. See "Dog Toys and How to Use Them."

Attention-Seeking or Request Barking

If your dog barks at you to get your attention or get you to do something they want, and you do it--your dog learns to bark to get things done. If you don't want your dog to bark at you this way, you have to stop responding when they do. This means that if your dog is already in the habit of using barking as a request, you'll have to ignore demand barking entirely.

When you first start, your dog will take some time to figure out the new rule, so be prepared to continue ignoring your demand-barking dog until they stop. Don't forget, if your dog has been using barking to get something they need, like taking walks or being let outside, you'll need to provide these things, as often as they need them, when your dog isn't barking.

Fearful or Spooky Barking

Barking can be a way for a dog who's afraid to say, "Stay away! Don't come closer!" If your dog barks when people or things in the environment seem scary, the solution is to help your dog become more confident. See "Fearful Dogs."

Barking Alone

If your dog's barking happens when they're left alone, beginning immediately or very soon after you leave, and there are other signs such as destructive behavior, anxious behavior when you prepare to leave, frantic greetings upon your return, or reluctance to be away from you--even in another room--when you're home, your dog may suffer from separation anxiety.

Be aware that many dogs who bark when left alone are just bored or frustrated and in need of more attention, activity, and/or occupation.