Barking is natural behaviour and form of communication for dogs, along with howling, growling, whining, yipping, and yelping. Dogs barking have so many meanings, such as to show that they are happy, scared, bored, want something, to alert people, etc. There are some dog breeds that have the tendency to bark more than other breeds, for example terriers. The breeds were actually bred to be barkers with the purpose to alert people, protect homes, or hunting.
On the other sides, there are also dogs that rarely bark, such as Basenji. Dog barking may be worthy but there are some situations when dogs bark excessively. If it happens, it could become very noisy and frustrating. To solve dog’s excessive barking, we have to first figuring out what causes the dog to keep barking. There are many common situations that makes a dog keeps barking, but in this article we are just going to discuss 8 common situations that makes a dog keeps barking.
There are 3 types of barking’s causes, environmental, emotional, and physical causes. Environmental barking triggered by environmental cues, such as improper confinement, passing cars, sirens, storms, etc. Emotional barking triggered by the emotions of dogs, such as boredom, excited, anxious, etc. Physical barking is when the dogs bark to request the owner of its physical needs, like when they are hungry or thirsty.
1. Territorial
First of 8 common situations that makes a dog keeps barking is because it wants to protect its territory. Dogs have natural behavior to protect its territory. If there is a person or animal comes to their territory, they will start to bark. The barking can mean that they are trying to warn the threat or to alert the owner. As the threat gets closer, the barking often gets louder. During this type of barking, the dog looks alert and aggressive as if it’s ready to fight. The sound of bark usually sharp, loud, and firm.
2. Scared or Startled
Some dogs bark at something that scared or startles them. For example, a noise that the dog hasn’t heard before. For a sudden noise like bell sound, dog usually learn they only have to bark a few times when the noise occurs and to ignore commonly occurring noise. But for a new sound, dog may keep barking. Dogs will also bark when they are alarmed like when they are approached by stranger or other animals. Dogs that have fear and phobia usually do excessive barking when they see things that they are scared of. Some things that dog can be fearful of for example thunderstorms or lawnmowers. This type of barking often gets confused by aggression, when actually it’s because of fear. The dog usually backing away from the while barking.
3. Loneliness and Boredom
Dog is a pack animal. It will become bored or sad if it is left alone for long period. It is often bark to release its sadness. It barks as if it is talking to itself because of boredom. Bored dogs bark to release their pent-up energy. Lonely dog also barks excessively. Dogs that left alone at home with nothing to do often vent up their boredom through barking, sometimes they also attack the flower bed. That’s why it is important to provide games, toys, and foods when we left dog alone at home. Improper confinement such as being locked inside the pen for a long time can also makes dogs bark excessively.
4. To Greet Others
Dog is social animal. It often barks when meeting people or other animal as a greeting, for example dog may bark when you are coming home. It is considered as a happy bark and usually accompanied with moving its tail and often jumping. Dogs also barking to responses for other dogs. When other dog starts barking, the rest of the pack will join the barking.
5. Excited
Dogs also bark when they are happy or when they are playing. It is especially common in puppies or young dogs, although older dogs usually do this too. The barks sound upbeat and we can really know that the dog is happy. Sometimes the barking accompanied by jumping that shows that the dog is excited. Usually dogs will bark when they know they are about to go for a walk or given a treat.
6. Want Attention
Dog barks because they want something, such as games, treat, or their primary needs such as going to bathroom. If the dogs feel hungry, thirsty, cold, or hot, they may bark to request the owner to give what the dogs need. Dogs may also bark when they want to be pet. The tone of this barking is like whining child. Sometimes the dogs may whine and bark together to get attention. Demand barking usually shorter, a single bark or few in quick while the dog usually looking at us. Demand barking usually happens in situation where we are not sure there is another cause of the barking, such as threat, fear, happiness, or anxiety.
7. Anxiety
Barking can be the act of self-soothing in anxious dogs. The barks usually high-pitched and sometimes accompanied by whining. This type of barking is common for dogs with fear, phobias, or separation anxiety.
When dogs are anxious, they usually do extreme barking. It is normal in certain situation since its their nature to anticipate threats, for example in new situation or situation that they feel they can’t remain safe. Dog with anxiety disorder can do more than this. It will bark in many more situation than normal dog, such as if there is any small noise or movement even if it’s can’t really be considered as a threat or something worth to dog to barks.
Dogs can feel anxious when they are left alone for the first time. That’s why we need to train them to eliminate the anxiety when they are left alone. To train dogs to be left alone in a while can also prevent the separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety will keep barking when left alone. They usually have other symptoms such as pacing, destructiveness, and depression. Dog with separation anxiety usually caused by over-dependence on the owner. Dog with compulsive barking tend to make repetitive move such as running in circle.
8. Pain
The last of 8 common situations that makes a dog keeps barking is when the dog is in pain. Dog usually keep barking when they have physical or emotional pain. It’s like they are asking for our help.