Decoding Dog Barks: Understanding Why Your Dog is So Vocal

Dogs exhibit a wide range of vocalizations, with pitches and tones unique to each individual. As a dog owner, you probably recognize your dog's distinctive bark immediately. Owners of particularly vocal dogs are even more familiar with the nuances of their pet's sounds.

Have you ever stopped to wonder, “why does my dog bark so much?”

We’re unraveling the mystery of excessive barking, what causes it, and our top tips to avoid waking your neighbors. By incorporating solutions like dog training and having reliable pet food delivery into your dog's routine, you can help reduce anxiety and manage their barking more effectively.

Reasons Behind Excessive Barking

It can be easy to become frustrated or overwhelmed by a barking dog, especially when it's compulsive barking, and it’s unclear why they’re doing it. Luckily, there are several common culprits when it comes to barking fits—it just comes down to knowing what to look for.

Communication Through Barking

If your dog barks incessantly, you might find yourself wondering what message he is attempting to convey and if another dog would understand his communication. Research in recent years has shown that yes—dogs do, in fact, have their own “language.” 

In the study, dogs made distinct sounds when protecting food versus fending off an approaching stranger, which were recognized by other dogs. Meanwhile, individual dogs’ “alone barks” didn’t faze their peers.

If your dog has been noisy lately, first try to determine whether the barking is correlated to a trigger like food or new people. While you can’t “speak dog,” noticing barking patterns can help you find the root of the issue.

Behavioral and Emotional Triggers

Excessive barking can also indicate emotional distress in your dog. Dogs often bark as a cry for attention when frustrated or bored. Separation anxiety is also a common trigger: dogs left alone for long periods of time will often bark excessively. A barking dog might be excited, scared, or threatened—so consider whether your dog is in an uncomfortable situation emotionally. This is a complete opposite to cats who sleep excessively when bored or seeking comfort.

Territorial barking can also occur when dogs feel their space is being invaded. Providing raw dog food as part of a regular feeding schedule can alleviate some of this distress, helping your dog feel more content and less anxious.

Managing Your Dog’s Barking

Once you understand why your dog has so much to say, calming her down will be that much easier. Managing excessive barking can often be accomplished with simple at-home training techniques and ensuring your dog enjoys fresh dog food as part of a balanced diet. If the problem persists, professional help is always an option but you must consider how much a vest visit costs.

Training Techniques to Reduce Barking

With the suspected cause of your dog’s barking habit in mind, choose a training technique to help turn the volume down. Some dog training ideas include:

• Focus on routine – If your dog is barking because he’s anxious and seeking attention, consider implementing a daily routine including meals, walks, and playtime. This way, he’ll know what to expect and won’t demand your attention during regular downtimes. 
• Happy distractions – If your dog is barking because she feels threatened by passersby out the window, consider removing the threat by pulling down your blinds or using a white noise machine. While out in public, try distracting your dog with treats (this works best if you catch the potential threat before she does and distract before she barks). This can help reduce alarm barking.
• Alternative behaviors – If your dog barks at certain specific triggers (for example, the doorbell), try training them to respond to the trigger with an alternative behavior (like running to another room) instead of barking. Train your pup by practicing (i.e. have a friend ring the doorbell, then coax your dog to the desired room with a high-value treat).
• Reward, don’t punish – If your dog barks at you for attention, don’t punish them—yelling or using another form of punishment like a shock collar in response to barking will only elevate the situation. Instead, ignore the barking and reward your dog with attention for good behavior.
• Build enrichment – If your dog is barking out of boredom, do your best to build more enrichment into his day. Add extra walks and active playtime, and consider investing in a brain game, puzzle, or other stimulating toy.

Keep in mind that if your dog is naturally vocal, it may be the result of her dog breeds. Larger dogs tend to be noisier, and pups of certain breeds tend to be barkers (i.e. those bred to be guard dogs).

When to Seek Professional Help

If you can’t determine the cause of your dog’s barking, or have tried multiple training methods to no avail, it might be time to consult an expert. A trainer or dog behaviorist can help you tailor a plan that works for your pet (and will be a bit more well-versed in “speaking dog”).

Tools and Tips to Control Barking

In general, whether you’re dealing with an anxious, bored, or unenriched barker, positive enforcement is the way to go. Make your dog feel “listened to” by adapting to their needs (i.e. implementing a routine or adding extra play time). If you’re struggling to control your dog’s incessant barking with training tactics alone, consider implementing a physical device to aid in positive reinforcement or ease anxiety. You might also want to consider getting pet insurance that covers costs related to behavioral therapies.

Useful Gadgets and Accessories

Consider the following training aids in your dog’s bark control journey:

• A clicker for positive reinforcement
• A calming compression shirt or pheromone collar
• Distraction toys like a food puzzle

Try to avoid gadgets that use negative reinforcement, like an ultrasonic device (which could disturb small animals and innocent pets nearby) or a shock/vibration collar (which could make your dog even more upset and escalate the situation).

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products: Aiding in Training

While we may not be able to "speak dog," understanding the reasons behind your dog's barking and learning about a dog’s body language is an effective alternative. Training your dog using gentle positive reinforcement communicates that you are attentive to their needs, which can alleviate their emotional distress.

A healthy dog is a happy dog, and Darwin’s is your partner on that mission.

Our Natural Selections recipe adheres to canines’ ancestral diet, packed with minimally processed, responsibly sourced ingredients for dog nutrition. It’s rich in protein and essential amino acids and minerals, but free from harmful chemical preservatives. 

Sources: 

Scientific American. What Are Dogs Saying When They Bark? [Excerpt]. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-are-dogs-saying-when-they-bark/

American Kennel Club. Excessive Dog Barking: Reasons & and How to Stop It. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/excessive-dog-barking-causes-stop/

RSPCA. Barking dogs—what can I do? https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/behaviour/barking

American Kennel Club. Bark Control Tools to Help Stop Nuisance Barking. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/bark-control-tools-to-help-stop-nuisance-barking/