- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Frustrated by your dog’s barking? You’re not alone. Some canines are naturally chatty, and it’s perfectly normal for a dog to bark when communicating their needs. Excessive or non-stop barking, however, can become a stressful issue that puts strain on both human and pet.
Dogs can bark for hours before they stop, due to physical exhaustion, but this doesn’t mean they’ve learned to bark less next time. The trouble is that dogs who engage in repetitive barking typically don’t get tired or bored of it—in fact, the behavior is likely to continue unless you take action to stop it and encourage something else.
Dr. Jordan Beauchamp, DVM, of GoodVets, and Taylor Reardon, CPDT-KA, Service Dog Instructor, discuss why a dog might bark non-stop, the impact this can have on the dog, and what pet parents can do to change their dog’s behavior.
Barking Is Self-Reinforcing
Unfortunately, ignoring your dog will rarely get them to stop barking—and it isn’t recommended. Barking is a self-reinforcing behavior, which means dogs reward themselves by continuing to do it.
If your dog is feeling stressed, for example, vocalizing might reduce their anxiety. If your dog feels a little better when they bark, then they’ll keep doing it.
Other common self-reinforcing behaviors include:
What Happens If a Dog Barks for Too Long?
Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate a range of important things, and most vets and trainers agree that some barking is healthy. Excessive, continuous barking, however, isn’t good for either dogs or their humans. It can signify an underlying health issue and become a hazard to your dog’s well-being if left unaddressed.
Physical impacts of prolonged barking on a dog:
- Strain on vocal cords
- Strain on throat and neck muscles
- Digestive problems
Psychological impacts of prolonged barking on a dog:
- Increased stress
- Irritability
- Strain on healthy human-dog relationship
Excessive barking might also come with the potential for legal repercussions. Some cities and towns have local ordinances that fine for noise disturbances, especially if continued barking occurs at night.
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Why Dogs Bark Non-Stop
It can be hard to tell what your dog is barking at—but they’re almost never barking at “nothing,” as it sometimes appears.
“Dogs bark for a number of reasons,” shares Reardon. “They bark when they need something from you, to initiate play, when they are excited, when they are afraid of someone or something, or when they feel frustrated. Getting to the root of an inappropriate behavioral pattern is the first step to breaking it.”
If your dog barks non-stop, they could be communicating the following.
Stress or anxiety
“Stress and anxiety are big factors as to why a dog might bark,” says Dr. Beauchamp. “If your dog has separation anxiety, for example, they may bark to self-soothe when you’re not home. For this type of behavior, training is key.”
Desiring attention
Mental stimulation and physical exercise are essential components of a healthy life for any dog. If your dog doesn’t have toys that interest them, or if they haven’t been able to explore outside, they might begin to feel stir-crazy. Barking can be a sign of boredom.
Fear or frustration
Barking can also be your dog’s way of communicating that they are scared or upset. Whether they see another dog on the other side of the fence they can’t get to, or they’re bothered by the presence of someone new, they may choose to vocalize—and find it hard to stop.
Lack of socialization
Dogs who are isolated might feel overwhelmed when put in social situations. Safely socializing your dog as soon as you can will help prepare them for encountering new people, places, and animals.
Cognitive health issue
“A cognitive condition like dementia can result in excessive barking,” Dr. Beauchamp points out. If your dog is older and their barking isn’t obviously triggered by something, a visit to the vet is a good idea.
Training won’t resolve an aging condition like this, Dr. Beauchamp explains, but there are things you can do to help, including diet adjustments (she particularly recommends Bright Mind dog food by Purina).
How To Respond to Excessive Barking
When a self-reinforced behavior becomes a harmful habit, the best way to change your dog’s behavior in the long-term is positive, fear-free training.
Reardon says there are two modes of response:
- management mode, which means removing your dog from the stimuli causing barking to make sure bad habits don’t get worse
- training mode, which means actively pursuing training to decrease barking frequency and replace the behavior with a positive alternative
Clicker training and food-based rewards are one of the best ways to train a dog to stop barking. You might, for instance, make a noise in another room, and when your dog stops barking to listen, click and reward them. In time, you can add a cue to teach a dog to be quiet on command.
“Excessive bark training can be tough,” commiserates Dr. Beauchamp, “so working with a behavioral specialist can be incredibly beneficial.”
“Your trainer will be able to ensure that you are implementing training techniques and management strategies as effectively as possible,” adds Reardon. “They can teach you how to implement hands-on training and adjust your dog’s plan as needed.”
