Why Your Dog Barks

Understanding Why Your Dog Barks

Understanding Why Dogs Bark, Will Help Your Ability To Control it

Let’s face it, dogs bark, it is a very natural and normal means of communication. We would all agree dog barking can be a tremendous benefit to us at times such as, an intruder is breaking into the house, or somebody is approaching our child while they are playing. This is what we expect to happen when we bring home a beloved dog big or small. We hope they will alert us to any impending danger.

However, excessive barking or barking at inappropriate times can turn into a real issue when it is not controllable. This is where understanding why dogs bark will help your ability to control it.

Here are seven common reasons why dogs bark:

1. Dogs bark as a warning or as an alert to perceived danger, such as a stranger approaching or a burglar prying in our house window. Of course we as owners encourage this because it comes as a great benefit to us. You will notice a difference of the tone and tempo as a dogs bark turns from an alert to a direct warning. Alerts are often more rapid in pace and higher in tone. As the danger approaches closer, you will often hear the pace slow and the bark will transition to a more guttural bark mix with some growling.
2. Dogs bark when they are seeking or demanding attention. Often this bark will start as a whine quickly followed by sporadic high pitched barks. This behavior is common in dogs of all ages that become bored and exercise deprived, also very common in puppies. This bark is hard to ignore and must be dealt with immediately to prevent future problems. You don’t want your dog to think he can bark at you anytime he is bored and you will come running to oblige.
3. Dogs bark when they are excited or playing. Generally they are quick high pitched barks mixed with lots of jumping around. Yes, we want our dogs to have fun and play but we need to make sure that if they become too excited during play, maybe at that point it will be good to take a break until they reach a more calm submissive state.
4. Dog barks when they want to self-identify. Self-identification can be seen when a dog hears another dog barking and feels the need to respond with an “I hear you, I am over here.”
5. Dogs bark when they are lacking exercise and bored. These barks maybe the most common to dog owners. It is either our dog or the neighbor’s dog who will continue the barking all day. Dogs without question need an outlet for their energy. In the wild, they are always on the move and rarely build anxiety due to a sedative lifestyle.
6. Dogs bark when they feel lonely or anxious. This is what we refer to as separtation anxiety. These barks will general carry a high pitched tone and can be most upsetting to the neighbors. Separation anxiety is quickly fixed with a little time and effort. In the wild this is not permitted, pups are taught from a young age to feel secure when mom is away.
7. Dogs bark when they become startled, although this barking usually ends quickly, it puts the dog on alert to many other sounds and the process of determining what startled them in the first place. Again this bark needs to be controlled quickly in order to curb any other further development.

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