How else would a dog communicate other than a bark? It's their language, you know! Dogs bark when they're hungry; when they see other dogs. They bark when they see a stranger. They bark even louder when they sense danger! It is how they express their feelings. But as we all know - excess of anything is bad. This applies to a dog's bark as well. It's checkup time if your dog's bark has been too much lately.

If your dog keeps barking throughout the night for no apparent reason, the poor guy could be feeling uncomfortable. It might be experiencing physical discomfort. Check if it's in any kind of pain by palpitating its abdomen, paws, and neck. If all checks out, take a look around. Dogs have acute hearing. So, excessive or sudden bursts of noise can easily irritate their eardrums. It upsets them. It's essential, therefore, to check the stimulus behind your dog's excessive barking. It'll help you train them, to make them calm.

This blog will discuss why dogs bark, the problems created by excess barking, and the triggers behind their bark. Ultimately, we'll enlighten you with five practical strategies to calm your dog.

Why do dogs bark?

As mentioned above, dogs bark to let their thoughts and expressions out. The bark's duration may vary depending on the circumstances and the dog's condition. Let's understand the reasons behind their bark in more detail here:

·        Out of boredom

Dogs are active. They get bored quickly. They might start barking if they have nothing to do and no one to play around with. The movie ‘Marley and Me’ showed this perfectly well. Marley, a Labrador, would get bored and bark continuously when Owen Wilson, his owner, wasn't around. If you leave for work, keeping your dog alone in a confined apartment, they'll soon get bored. They might act out by barking aloud if they're active dog breeds like Labradors and Huskies.

·        Separation anxiety

This is quite an issue with dogs, so some people are hesitant to adopt them. Dogs are highly attached to their owners. It is both their best and worst quality. They are full of love and affection for the people around them, but they get palpitations when they're out of sight. Not all dogs do that, but most of them act similarly. They face massive separation anxiety and cope with this anxiety by barking continuously.

·        Lack of proper socialisation

Feelings of isolation are a significant reason behind their outburst. You see, dogs are pretty social creatures. They like to be around people and other animals. There's a stark difference between a dog with people and animal friends and one that has barely had any friendly interaction with others. The latter is more likely to bark aggressively when they see strangers or other pets walking by the window. The bark could also be due to their desire to socialise.

·        If they want to go out

Dogs hate having to sit around in compact spaces. It saps their energy. They like open spaces and the freedom to run anywhere they want. No wonder they start jumping around the moment they hear 'walkies'! Imagine a dog that has not gone on a walk for a month! It's not just sad but inhumane. Their tail wagging is at its vigorous best when they are out in the park, playing with other pets and children. If they are denied their daily walk outside, there's a good chance they'll bark a lot.

·        When they see strangers

Different dogs act differently when encountering strangers. Breeds like rottweilers and pit bulls may present a wary and aggressive stance; labradors, golden retrievers, king charles pups and pugs may have a friendly demeanour. This is not a generalisation but something that's observed more commonly. Some dogs bark for a while and then stop. Some would keep on barking till it becomes a nuisance. Perhaps they sense danger and try to alert their owner with their bark. Regardless, it is not healthy behaviour if your dog barks for too long.

Five effective strategies to stop your dog from barking too much

1.      Make them exercise

Dogs have a lot of pent-up energy. They are a naturally active species. They like to run, play and jump around for no reason. They want to act goofy at times. When they don't get to do these things, they feel frustrated, which may lead to excess barking. So make sure you exercise your dogs. Take them to a nearby park for a long walk, take them for a beach swim, or give them obstacle training if possible. These exercises will make them feel good and tire them out. They simply won't have the energy to bark!

2.      Give them toys

A good toy is something that these bundles of joy can't resist. They love to play with squeaky toys. It arouses their curiosity much like the chase-your-tail game. There are plenty of dog toys available online and offline. From bone-shaped chew toys and footballs to pupsicles and rubber toys, the options for your four-footed friend are limitless. These toys will accompany them when you're busy at work. They'll keep them busy when you can't devote as much time and attention. When dogs are too occupied with their chew toys, they don't bark as much. They are pleasantly distracted and at their calmest when they're playing with toys.

3.      Engage them in dog puzzle games

If your dog barks because of boredom, calm them with puzzles.There are many puzzle games available these days. The feeder puzzle, for instance, is a great puzzle to start with. It is a disc-shaped object with many compartments. You can hide your dog's favourite treat in different compartments and see them jostle it out of there! It'll make your dog go nuts! Other good puzzles are the windmill toys and soft mats. You can hide treats under the mats, making locating them difficult for your dog.

4.      Help them socialise with other dogs and pets

Socialisation is like natural therapy for dogs. Nothing makes them happy like the belly scratch for their neighbourhood acquaintances or running around in circles with other pets in the park. Dogs are curious little creatures and aren't afraid to mix with other pets. Dogs don't need ice-breaking sessions; their natural friendliness is enough! Dogs regularly around social circles have a healthy mental makeup and are less prone to irritation. Such dogs don't bark unnecessarily as they are happy all the time.

5.      Train them to learn the 'quiet' command

If only it were that simple to make your dog quiet! It's not impossible, though. The next time your dog barks too much in front of you, firmly calm him down. Talk in a low, clear and authoritative tone. If he obliges, reward him with a treat. This will make the dog understand the command. If your dog continues unruly barking, then take him out. If the barking persists, it could be due to physical discomfort. Take him to the vet to get him checked.

Key Takeaway

Dogs bark too much at times. This could be their way of letting you know something is bothering them. The reason could be physical pain, hunger, the desire to socialise, or the simple fact that they're bored. Try to identify the stimulus behind their bark rather than brushing the excessive bark aside. Keep them occupied with fun exercises, chew toys, and dog puzzles. Also, learn to be firm when needed.

• Thursday, January 4, 2024
• Blog