Why does a dog bark all the time?

Barking to a dog is like a voice to us. This is a means of communication with their relatives and the outside world. Through barking, dogs express emotions, attract attention, and warn of danger.

Some dogs bark more, some less, and some don’t bark at all. The severity of the bark may depend on the breed. Terriers, for example, get excited quickly and bark in high tones. The hounds are ready to give a voice on any occasion and enthusiastically pick up the barking of other dogs. Service dogs are usually much quieter than their relatives. They bark “on business”, such as when warning an intruder of a threat. Decorative breeds have mastered the art of manipulation better than anyone else. With their barking, they imitate the speech of the owners and use different intonations to achieve what they want.

Problems begin when the dog barks literally all day, “for no reason”, at any time of the day. What causes this behavior and how to deal with it?

Excessive barking is also a way to respond to environmental factors. It may be a feature of the dog’s temperament. We can say that among dogs there are also extroverts and introverts. However, a well-mannered dog must know the norms of behavior and stop barking at the command of the owner.

The dog cannot stop barking. But your task is to teach her to control emotions.

If your dog is barking all the time and ignoring commands, you need to “feel” your positions. Is subordination lost? Until you regain your leadership, any educational approaches will be meaningless. However, remember that a leader for a dog is not someone who causes fear and punishes. And the one who cares, who is firm and consistent in his actions. More about this in the article “”.

How to deal with dog barking? It depends on the reason why the dog is barking. If it seems to you that there is no reason, it is worth digging deeper. We will help you!

• Fear and stress

Frequent barking can be the result of a stressed dog. If she does not feel safe, if she is very worried about something, barking helps to relieve tension and unload the nervous system.

What to do?

Eliminate stressors as much as possible. If this is not possible, give the dog more time. More often to play and walk with her. Consult with a veterinarian and animal psychologist. In severe cases, the doctor will recommend safe sedatives, and the zoopsychologist will help establish contact between the owner and the dog.

• High level of anxiety

Some dogs will bark at any sound. For example, when another dog barks from the window, when someone passes by your door, or when the elevator opens on the landing. Perhaps the dog had a traumatic experience in the past, or this is its individual feature.

What to do?

Focus on working out commands, work with obedience.

At the moment when the dog barks, you need to let him know that you heard him. After all, she signals the approach of a “stranger” and is waiting for a reaction from you. If you ignore your pet, he may get carried away, become very agitated, and it will be more difficult to calm him down. You can pat the dog behind the ear and quickly switch his attention to, for example, the game.

The most useful natural self-soothing mechanism for dogs is chewing! When a dog chews something, it performs mechanical motor actions that distract it and redirect emotional stress into physical activity. In addition, the dog’s body produces a hormone that helps calm the nervous system.

It’s important to teach your dog to chew on the “right” things, not your shoes. It is worth offering her different options for toys for independent play – these are intellectual toys with tasty filling, durable toys of various textures, degrees of hardness and elasticity (for example, made of natural rubber), which allow the dog to get a variety of sensations when chewing.

Safe and different toys are great helpers in calming an anxious dog.

• Boredom and loneliness

Sometimes barking is a response to loneliness and boredom. For many dogs, loneliness is fatal, it is very difficult for them to remain in the company of themselves day after day.

What to do?

Try to spend as much time with your dog as possible. Pay attention to physical and mental stress and the quality of sleep, review the regimen. Do not underestimate the importance of playing together for your dog – playing with a pet, you develop it and strengthen your relationship.

Get your dog a variety of toys that he can play with when you’re away. An ideal choice are toys to fill with treats, such as Kong pyramids.

If you are rarely at home and this cannot be changed, consider getting another dog. Together, pets will not be so bored! Or maybe it’s time to turn to a dog-sitter? While you are busy with your business, a specially trained person will not let your dog get bored.

It’s no secret that dogs love attention. If your pet lacks communication with you, he may provoke you to react by barking. In this case, it doesn’t matter how you react. Even if this reaction is negative, the dog will achieve its goal: the owner paid attention to me, cheers. Small children behave in the same way. Think of children’s tantrums – the principle is the same.

What to do?

You will have to show miracles of endurance and not react to the dog’s pestering. While the pet is barking, defiantly ignore it. Leave, go about your business, do not cross eye contact with the dog. If possible, leave the dog alone in the room until it stops barking.

Your job is to let your dog know that barking won’t get him what he wants. Be consistent. If you react violently, the dog will learn that he is acting correctly. There is barking – there is a reaction of the owner.

In parallel with setting an example of calmness and not reacting to the provocations of the dog, it is very important to help him realize himself. After all, a dog requires attention, looking for an outlet for its energy, and this cannot be ignored. Physical activity and regular games that pose mental challenges for the dog will allow the pet to satisfy its basic needs for activity and tired in a dosed manner.

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“Unreasonable” barking can be the result of mistakes in education. Spoiled dogs can give a voice when they feel the slightest inconvenience or want something right now. Barking for them is a fail-safe way to attract the attention of the owners and get what they want at any time of the day.

What to do?

Do not succumb to the dog’s provocations. Practice obedience. To correct mistakes in education, consult with a cynologist. If this is your case, then most likely your dog already has a well-formed habit of behaving in this way and it will be difficult to retrain it without the help of a specialist.

“Loud” dogs should be regularly rewarded for their silence. When your dog obeys and stops barking at your command, don’t forget to praise him and treat him with treats.

• Faced with unreasonable barking, first of all consult with a veterinarian. It is important to rule out health problems.

• In severe cases, if the dog harasses others and itself with endless barking, contact a veterinarian. He will prescribe a safe sedative.

• Often barking dogs are useful to “exhaust” – just like hyperactive children. Try to direct their energy in the right direction. Walk your dog more, play a variety of games, increase your level of physical activity and take care of the quality of your rest at home. Make sure your dog is on the right balanced diet.

• Emotional dogs need to be given a non-emotional example. Try to be gentle with your pet. Do not “liss” with him, do not regret, going to work, do not arrange long goodbyes. Coming home from work, silently caress the dog. If she bursts into loud barking and jumps at you, do not be indignant, but clearly command “no”.

• Be consistent. If today you reprimand a dog for barking loudly, then do not praise him tomorrow in the same situation.

• Seek help from a zoopsychologist and dog handler. In matters of behavioral correction, this is not an excess, but a necessity.

• Electric collars must not be used. In emotional dogs, they will only increase the level of anxiety and stress. The behavior of the pet will become even more destructive. Not to mention that this method is extremely cruel.

• You can’t yell at a dog. It’s absolutely useless. If the dog tries to get your attention by barking, your cry will be a victory for him. And if the dog is anxious, then the dissatisfaction of a loved one will only complicate the situation and make her worry even more.

• You can not go to rudeness and physical punishment. All this will worsen the relationship between you and will cause other behavioral problems.

• Do not give your dog a sedative without the advice of a veterinarian.

In any incomprehensible situation related to the behavior of the dog, consult with a zoopsychologist. We can live side by side with dogs all our lives and still misinterpret their behavior. Accordingly, it will also be wrong to fight against “misconduct”. Animal psychologists will help to avoid such mistakes.

We wish you patience and good luck in the educational process!