- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dogs communicate by barking. Some dogs like to bark (a lot), while others may be more reserved with their natural canine voice. But why do some dogs bark at seemingly nothing?
The truth of the matter is that there’s likely always a reason, even if you can’t see it, as Erin Askeland, certified dog trainer and animal behavior consultant (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA) at Camp Bow Wow, points out. “Dogs have keen senses, so they might detect subtle stimuli that we miss, such as distant sounds, scents, or even changes in air pressure, which may cause them to become alert and bark in response,” she says.
With Askeland’s help, we explore all the ways a dog’s senses are heightened to detect things that we simply can’t. We’ll also discuss various methods to help prevent your dog from barking at “nothing.”
What Does Your Dog Hear?
While it may seem like your dog is barking at nothing, their heightened sense of hearing could be picking up on something your human ears can’t. It might be farther away, it might be quieter, or it might be a higher frequency than your ears can process.
- Dogs can hear sounds up to a kilometer (over half a mile) away, depending on ambient conditions. They’re also better at figuring out which direction the noise is coming from. This could lead them to react to a faint sound, like another dog barking in the distance, that they understand is coming toward them.
- Dogs can hear noises that are up to four times quieter than we can. Askeland adds that dogs can detect noise through obstacles, such as walls, as well. If you live in an apartment, condo, or other space with shared walls, perhaps your pup is picking up on your neighbors moving around or chatting.
- Dogs are more sensitive to high-frequency noises. Our hearing operates in a range of 20 to 20,000 Hertz, but dogs hear at a range of 65 to 45,000 Hertz—more than two times higher than ours! This difference means that while dogs and humans hear low-frequency noises the same, dogs hear higher-pitched sounds better. Your dog might be reacting to insects, rodent squeaks, or distant sirens that you can’t pick up on.
What Does Your Dog See?
A dog’s eyesight also differs from a human’s—so when your dog barks at “nothing,” they might just be barking at something that you can’t see or that looks different to them than it does to you.
- Most dogs have 25/75 vision. That means they need to be within 20 feet of something to see it the same way as a human can at 75 feet. This can sometimes make distant objects seem scary, such as a pile of clothes on top of a dresser or a large truck far away.
- Dogs have a wider field of view, since their eyes are set farther apart than ours. Your dog might be spotting things on the peripheries of your walking route that you would have to turn your head to notice.
- Dogs have better night vision and motion detection than humans. Canine ancestors needed these advantages to catch prey and survive—but for modern companion pups, these skills can sometimes cause dogs to bark at night or be more reactive, as Askeland points out. “They may bark at shadows, small movements, or reflections that catch their attention,” she says. “Odd or unexpected movement may also trigger a barking response.”
What Does Your Dog Smell?
It’s also possible that your dog is barking at smells that your human nose isn’t sensitive enough to notice. Dogs have around 300 million smell receptors, compared to our scant 6 million. When they bark, they might be:
- Smelling an unfamiliar scent, like a new dog in the neighborhood or perhaps a new tenant in your building.
- Detecting changes in the environment. Wind can carry the scent of wildlife nearby, like a deer or raccoon, and make your dog bark once they catch a whiff. High humidity levels can also enhance scents, while fresh snow can trap smells and excite your dog.
- Smelling something they’ve associated with a trigger, like a coyote or cat in the distance.
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How Does Your Dog Feel?
“A dog’s temperament, previous experiences, and overall stress levels can influence their reaction to perceived threats or stimuli, whether visible or not,” says Askeland. Here are a few ways a dog’s senses may also correlate with their feelings, causing them to bark.
- Anxious dogs may be more sensitive to smells that trigger them, says Askeland.
- Territorial dogs might bark at sounds they think signal an “intruder,” she adds.
- Reactive dogs have also developed negative associations with specific triggers, such as other dogs or people, and their senses will be cued and ready to detect them.
- Bored dogs may be looking for any form of entertainment, including barking at things they normally wouldn’t when all their needs have been met.
- Guard dogs, such as German Shepherds and Dobermans, were bred to alert humans to sudden changes in their environment, and these natural tendencies run deep.
- Senior dogs may have health issues that impair their senses. “Barking at nothing can sometimes increase or appear in older dogs and may be related to changes in hearing, vision, or other health and cognitive impairment, so it’s important to consult with your veterinarian if changes like this are noted,” explains Askeland.
How To Solve Barking at Nothing
To help stop your dog from barking at things you can’t always sense, there are a few things you can do:
- Learn how to communicate with your dog. Brush up on canine body language to better understand how your dog is feeling in different situations. Then use positive reinforcement methods to teach your dog how to communicate with you. For instance, instead of barking to tell you another animal or person is near, you can teach them to boop your hand instead or come find you for a tasty treat.
- Implement management. Managing the environment can go a long way in preventing barking. For instance, play a white noise machine or soothing playlist to drown out sounds only your dog can hear. Blocking the windows with curtains or window film can also help dogs who are more sensitive to sudden movements outside.
- Work with a trainer. Consult a certified dog trainer or vet behaviorist to help you come up with a specific training plan for your dog. That may include methods like desensitization, counterconditioning, and relaxation training.
- Rule out medical issues. Talk with your vet to rule out any health concerns, like loss of hearing or dementia, if your dog has started barking at nothing all of a sudden.
Why bark collars don’t work
While they may be tempting and seem like a quick fix, using bark collars to curb barking isn’t advised by many pet professionals. “Bark collars simply punish this very natural behavior without addressing the underlying cause,” says Askeland. “This can increase anxiety or frustration, potentially exacerbating the barking problem, creating other undesirable behavior, and never providing the dog a chance to learn a more desirable response.”
