Barking Dogs & Normal Barking Behaviour

Barking behaviour is normal for dogs - dogs bark for lots of reasons, and it's a way for them to communicate with each other and with us. Some breeds tend to bark more than others, and as pet owners, we sometimes unintentionally reinforce barking behaviour even when it drives us crazy. You can teach a dog to stop barking inappropriate but it takes time and patience.

Some of the Reasons Why Dogs Bark:

To get attention. Many times you'll find puppies yapping to try to get your attention (adult dogs do this too, of course - for instance, a neighbor's dog barks constantly when he wants his owner to give him a treat).
If you give in and turn your attention to the barker, you're "rewarding" him for barking. Ignore him. Reward him when he's quiet instead.
"Play barking". Some dogs give short little barks to try to engage other pets (or people) in play. Often this is accompanied with a "play bow" and/or a wagging tail.
If your dog gets over-excited and begins to bark excessively, stop play immediately and let him calm down.
Warning barks. For example, barking when someone approaches the door, ie. the "watch dog" bark. The dog's barking may become much more rapid as the stranger approaches, and the dog may growl as well.
Do not soothe your dog or in any way indicate that there really is something "scary" that the dog needs to be anxious about. Reinforcing the barking in this way may cause your dog to bark even more the next time (and it'll make it harder to teach him to stop when you ask him to).
Use a command to indicate to your dog that he should stop barking. "Enough!" is popular... say it in a firm, low tone of voice and be consistent. Praise your dog when he is quiet. Don't lose patience - it takes time to reinforce the right behavior.
Barking because the dog is bored. This type of barking often causes a problem, especially with the neighbors. It's the dog that sits outside and barks (while driving the neighbors crazy) because he has nothing else to do.
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise (a tired dog is a happy dog!). If you must leave him outside alone, provide him with some form of stimulation. A good example is one of the "Kong" toys. These are rubber, tiered toys with a hole through the middle. You stuff them with little bits of treats (many dogs like a smear of peanut butter, too). Dogs can spend a lot of time gnawing on the toy and occasionally getting a small tasty reward as the treats are gradually worked out.
Anxiety barking. Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety when they are left alone. Often times the dogs seem unable to stop themselves, and the more they bark, the more they seem to need to continue to bark.
This type of barking behaviour can be difficult to manage. Consulting with a dog training professional may be a good way to determine the best method of modifying or controlling anxiety barking.
"I'm here" communication. Have you ever heard one of the neighborhood dogs start barking - and then a bunch of others join in? Dogs sometimes bark to communicate that they're also in the area.

If your dog's barking becomes excessive and you find it difficult to modify his behaviour, engage the services of a dog behaviorist. These dog professionals can show you positive ways to control your dog's barking behaviour while still maintaining the loving bond you have with your pet.

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