Dogs are a man’s best friend, the canine who often becomes the most important member of the family. Though sometimes because of a variety of reasons, the Dogs can start barking and at that point, it becomes important to understand the reasons behind the same to start working towards stopping the bark of the dog.
A barking dog at home can cause a lot of trouble, not just for you but also for the neighbors and help you to avoid being the topic of gossip, “their dogs bark a lot. ”
Through this article we’ll try to understand some ways through which we can stop the dog from barking.
1. Causes
There can be a variety of causes for a Dog to start barking at home. Before looking at ways we can stop the dog barking, it is necessary to understand the reasons behind the barking. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons which can be found below with the home remedies for the same.
Understanding the causes will not only help you stop the barks but will also help you form a closer bond with your dog so much that when the next time it happens, you might even have to scroll through this article.
1.1. Sensing Some Threat
Dogs have a very heightened sense of protectiveness and they may bark to alert their owners to any potential threats. These threats may include any stranger approaching the house, some unfamiliar noises, and other things.
Dogs have higher senses of smell and hearing as compared to humans, so it is normal for dogs to sense any unfamiliar noises and smell better, and the reaction to such situations of dogs is through a bark only, which is often continuous. A dog barks when a threat is sensed to warn the owner.
1.2. Hunger
One prominent reason for a Dog to start barking is that the canine is hungry and it’s time for the food to pop in the feeding bowl. It is normal for a dog to remember the time when the food is served and when it doesn’t come on time, there can be a lot of barking since someone forgot to serve the food.
1.3. Thirst
Other than hunger, it is also possible that the dog is thirsty and is looking for some water to quench its thirst. When the basic needs are not met, a dog barks to express hunger and thirst, signaling that the thirst must be quenched in order for me to stop the barking.
1.4. Medical Issues
It is often possible that barking is a sign of discomfort or pain. Medical possibilities can’t be ruled out if a dog suddenly starts barking out of nowhere. There are chances that the dog is in pain and there can be some underlying medical issue associated.
1.5. Separation Anxiety
Dogs are social animals and it is possible for them to become anxious about being left alone. They can also feel the pain of separation and it is often the case when dog barking occurs with the hope that their owner might listen to it and return to live with them again or simply so the owner won’t leave their side.
1.6. Boredom of Lack of Stimulation
Dogs can bark for a variety of reasons which may include a lack of stimulation and boredom. Dogs have the need of mental and physical stimulation. They may choose to bark in frustration or even to seek attention when they are bored or not getting enough physical exercise to cope with the needs their mental and physical stimulation.
1.7. Territorial Behavior
Dogs have a tendency to bark at animals and people if they try to invade or simply cross their territory. Even at home, dogs may have marked their territory which you may or may not know about and when you happen to cross the boundary, the barking can be activated which is often termed as territorial barking.
1.8. Barking for Reward
Dogs are creatures who like to be rewarded. There can be an instance where you might have rewarded the dog for barking, it can be intentional or even unintentional but the dog took it as a sign & understood it as a way of getting treats. The purpose of your treat may have been different but in the eyes of the canine, it felt like that only. So, the dog will start barking continuously at home in hopes of getting treats.
2. How to Make a Dog Stop Barking Home Remedies
It is important to understand the behavior of the dog and at the same time it becomes important to understand the causes behind a barking dog as then only it is possible to implement some home remedies to prevent dog barking and bring harmony in the home and around the neighbourhood.
2.1.Regular Exercise and Mental Stimulation
2.1.1. Physical Exercise
It is very important for dogs since they have a need for physical stimulation which is often done with regular exercises. It helps to keep the content and cure the cause of barking because of the lack of stimulation.
So, next time your dog starts barking, it is rather possible that the dog is feeling a lack of stimulation and thus you might wanna get some exercise into the canine’s routine.
2.1.2. Mental Stimulation
Exercise may fulfill the physical stimulation needs of the dog, it is also important to take care of the mental stimulation of the dog through its favorite toys and playing with the dog. Every dog has a favorite toy with which it likes to play which thus can be used to help with the barking at home. Also, try to play its favorite game to help with the mental stimulation.
2.2. Feeding the Dog
One of the many reasons for the barking of a dog was hunger and thirst. So it is important to give the dog its proper food and water on time to make sure that it is properly fed and thus reduce the chances of barking.
2.3. A Calm Environment is the Key
Dogs, like humans, can become anxious at times and because of anxiety start barking uncontrollably and at that time it is possible for you to wonder about the exact cause behind the canine’s barking. At that time, especially at that time, it is very important to create a calm and soothing atmosphere for them which can help alleviate anxiety-related barking. It can be because of anything like a noisy and chaotic environment around them which makes them uncontrollably anxious.
2.4. Desensitization to Triggers
In the long run, it is important to identify the triggers of your dog, and with gradual exposure to the triggering stimuli, the dog will become less reactive and reduce dog barking at home.
Though it is not a remedy that will instantly help with the dog barking at home but over time when this method is adopted, the dog will be less prone to triggers and thus will be less reactive. Positive reinforcement during desensitization strengthens the dog’s association with a calmer response.
2.5. Addressing the Separation Anxiety
When a dog is barking continuously, when left alone at home, the chances are that it might be making the dog feel separation anxiety. It is a common behavioural issue that a dog experiences because of separation from their owners and as a result of which they start barking in the hope that the owner might return.
Addressing separation anxiety is important and the dog should not be left alone or should be made more comfortable and secure when left alone. In the long run, when you are trying to make the dog comfortable with loneliness, leave the dog alone for a brief period of time and after that make sure to give him all the love and attention. One solution to the problem is to hire someone or ask a friend to play with the dog while you are away, this might not help with the separation anxiety but will help keep the dog occupied.
Following this routine, the dog will be able to adapt to living alone over time. Though it becomes important to deal with separation anxiety with love and affection instead of punishments and scolding.
2.6. Toys and Puzzles
Interactive toys and puzzles serve as mental challenges for dogs, stimulating their cognitive abilities and keeping their minds active. Dogs are intelligent animals that require both physical and mental exercise to thrive. When a dog’s mind is engaged, they are less likely to become bored and engage in undesirable behaviors like excessive barking.
Some examples include:
2.6.1. Treat Dispensing Toys
These are the toys that require your dogs to work hard and with a lot of effort. The reward for all the hard work and effort is a treat waiting for them which is dispensed through the toy.
These toys keep your dog occupied in figuring out how to get the treats from the toy and it is stimulating at the same time, thus preventing your dog from excessive barking at home.
2.6.2.Puzzle Toy/Feeders
Puzzle feeders are designed to make mealtime more engaging. Instead of placing food in a regular bowl, use a puzzle feeder that makes your dog work to access their food. This slows down their eating and engages their problem-solving skills. Thus overall stop dog barking and bring a sense of peace.
2.6.3. Plush Toys
Some plush toys have hidden compartments where you can hide treats. Your dog must figure out how to extract the treats from the toy. This will keep the dog’s mind and body at work and thus help with the dog’s constant barking.
2.7. Socialization and Training
Proper socialization and obedience training are fundamental for a well-behaved dog. A dog that is well-socialized is less likely to bark excessively out of fear or territorial behaviour and thus reduces territorial barking.
The socialization behavior is developed over time with frequent interactions with other animals and humans that may happen to visit your home at constant intervals. This will make them habitual to them and in turn, reduce their territorial behaviour.
2.8. Barking Repellents
A common technique can be adopted which is to associate barking with something that is not liked by the dog but at the same time, it is totally humane and safe. An example can be of a citrus mixture containing drops of lemon juice, and orange juice with some water contained in a spraying bottle. So whenever the dog starts barking at home, this mixture can be sprayed in its mouth as many dogs don’t like the taste of the mixture and will repel it automatically.
So over time, your pet dog will associate barking with an unpleasant taste thus making your canine friend stop barking unnecessarily at all in the long run as well.
2.9. Teaching the ‘Quiet’ Command
Teaching the dog the “quiet” command involves training them to stop barking on command. It involves instructing the dog to stop barking and when it does so reward the dog with a treat. As pet parents you are responsible for teaching & training your dog through various training sessions.
This command gives owners greater control over the dog’s barking behaviour and helps stop the dog from barking on command.
2.10. Anti Bark Collars/Devices
When all the humane approaches fail, then only the approach with anti-bark devices or collars should be adopted as these devices may cause harm to the dog. Consideration of anti-bark devices is the last resort which will help in stopping excessive barking at home. Here, having a dog wear an anti-bark collar will help with the excessive barking behaviour.
3. Conclusion
3.1. Recap
Throughout this article, we’ve explored a range of effective home remedies to address excessive dog barking in dogs and help you to stop it. From regular exercise and mental stimulation to helping the dog with more socialization and providing interactive toys, these remedies offer practical solutions for various triggers of barking which can be implemented at your home only.
Some promise to provide a quick solution for the dog’s barking but some might be suitable for the long run after understanding the cause of the barking.
3.2. Patience and Dedication is the Key
As a pet parent, it’s important to remember that behaviour modification takes time and consistent effort. The journey to reducing excessive barking requires patience, understanding, and dedication from both the dog owner and the dog itself. Every dog is unique, and what works best might vary. The journey to tackle the barking problem is rather long which can be made fun only by being patient and dedicated towards your partner.
3.3. Professional Help
While home remedies can be highly effective, there may be situations where the expertise of a professional is necessary. There can be instances where all the home remedies may fail but a professional won’t.
If your dog’s excessive barking persists despite your efforts, or if the behavior is particularly challenging, consider reaching out to a certified professional dog trainer or dog behaviorist. These experts can provide tailored guidance based on your dog’s individual needs.
3.4. Harmonious Home Through the Effective Home Remedies
By implementing these home remedies, you’re not only addressing the issue of excessive barking but also fostering a more harmonious and peaceful living environment. A quieter home benefits not only you and your neighbours but also your beloved canine companion.
Through patience, positive reinforcement, and a willingness to understand your dog’s perspective, you have the power to make a significant positive change in your dog’s behavior and overall well-being.
Last Updated on December 23, 2023 by soubhik92@gmail.com
