- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Barking is our pup’s way of communicating their feelings with us and canines. Dogs might bark if they’re happy to see you, asking for attention, or feeling bored and want to play.
“Certain breeds tend to bark much more than others,” says Irith Bloom, a CPDT-KSA certified professional dog trainer, behavior consultant, and owner of The Sophisticated Dog. Some breeds tend to bark more and may not be a great choice for people who don’t like a lot of barking.
Additionally, Bloom says what’s considered normal vs. excessive depends on who lives with the dogs and where they live.
Below, learn why dogs bark, when barking becomes too much, the different types, and how to stop excessive barking.
8 Reasons Your Dog Is Barking So Much
Adrienne Carson, CPDT-KA, CDBC, Vice President of Behavior and Training at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, says dog barks don’t mean one thing. Like other behaviors, your dog’s body language is key to figuring out why they’re barking. Below are the most common.
1. Alert you
Did your doorbell ring? Or maybe your dog caught a glimpse of another dog and feels territorial over the front yard. Alert barking is also very common when a dog sees a stranger, like a postal worker, and wants you to know they saw them.
Bloom says dogs can bark when something startles them. This is also referred to as “alert barking,” and it is the canine equivalent of saying, “Hey, something’s up!”
2. Stress or anxious
If a dog is stressed while left alone or in pain, they may exhibit what Bloom calls “anxious barking.”
Other signs of stress or anxiety in dogs include:
- Tail tucking
- Whining
- Body shakes
- Air licking
- Resource guarding
3. Excitement
“Some of that barking can be communication where one dog is asking another dog to play, a variation of demand barking,” Bloom explains. “Other times, the dog is barking during the actual play because they are so excited and having so much fun, and barking is how they express that excitement.”
4. Frustration
When dogs can’t reach what they are excited about, it can also turn into frustration. Bloom says this might happen when they see another dog or person but are on a leash or behind a barrier and can’t get to them.
5. Fear or aggression
Bloom says you might see aggressive barking if someone approaches your front door or window.
She explains that aggression comes from your dog being afraid; they bark to try to make what scared them disappear.
6. Want attention or feeling bored
Dogs are notorious attention hogs (in all the best ways)! Your pup might bark at you if you’re holding their favorite toy (like a slobbery tennis ball) or want food/treats.
Bloom says this is often called “demand barking.”
7. Poor socialization
Bloom explains that dogs who tend to bark at everything can have various reasons for doing so, while others may use it as a go-to tool to fall back on when they don’t know what else to do.
In situations where a dog excessively barks at one particular thing, Bloom says this could be due to being under-socialized or having had bad experiences with other people or dogs.
8. Health concerns
Carson recommends calling your vet if your dog is suddenly barking more than usual. She says a sudden shift may indicate a health problem or cognitive changes. For example, dogs who bark when you try to pet them may be in pain.
If they’ve been cleared for any potential health issues and are still barking more than usual, Bloom recommends consulting a certified behavior consultant – canine (CBCC-KA) or certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC).
Types of Dog Barking: Meaning,
Our experts break down the different kinds of barks and their meanings.
| Type of bark | What it means |
| Alarm | Dogs bark to alert you of something in or happening in the environment. |
| Demand | Dogs are asking you to do something for them or with them. This can sound like whining or crying. |
| Attention-seeking | Dogs want to get your attention to play, get treats, or pets. |
| Boredom | Dogs will bark if they haven’t gotten enough enrichment and want to do something. |
| Fearful or aggressive | When dogs are afraid, they will bark to get the trigger away from them. |
| Frustration-induced | These barks are higher pitched than other barks. Dogs make this noise when they want to get to something but can’t. |
| Playful | Playful barks are commonly seen with tail wagging and other excited behaviors. |
How To Stop Excessive Barking
The best way to stop excessive barking is to watch for potential triggers or patterns that may cause your dog to react that way and getting ahead of them. This can help you manage what’s causing your dog to bark and come up with a plan to help your canine companion.
A few ways to stop your dog’s barking include:
- Behavioral modifications. If your dog barks when they’re bored, Bloom recommends keeping them entertained with food toys, regular exercise, games, and positive training. We cover nine different methods to stop dog barking.
- Home remedies. Natural treatments are effective in calming a nervous dog. These methods could include playing calming music, blocking their view, giving them a quiet zone, or removing them from the trigger.
- Consult an expert. A board-certified veterinary behaviorist (DACVB) is qualified to give both behavioral modification and medical advice for dogs who are barking due to an underlying health concern.
- Medications. A vet may prescribe anxiety medications to reduce your pup’s stress barking (and anxiety overall), especially if they have separation anxiety.
