Why Dogs Bark & How You Can Stop It

Do you own a dog? Or, do you have a dog in your neighborhood that barks non-stop. If you do have or know a dog that is keeping you up at night, you may consider yourself as having a problem. The good news is that there is a lot you can do about a dog that just won抰 stop barking. You don抰 have to feel helpless or even physically punish the dog because it barks. Remember, a dog抯 bark is its way of communicating with other dogs and even humans. So, be sure to keep that in mind. You wouldn抰 want someone to tape your mouth shut to keep you from talking, would you?

Why They Do It

There are many reasons a dog might bark excessively. The most common reason a dog barks is to get your attention. They may want inside or may be out of water or food. Dogs are quite smart and will let you know when they need something basic. They may also bark when they are not happy. They might not be happy in the location they are in, and are trying to get your attention to let them out of that location. This can be common if you leave your dog out at night or if they are being kennel trained.

Another reason dogs bark is because they hear other dogs. There may be another dog in the neighborhood that also barks. You may not be able to hear that dog, but chances are your dog hears it. They can bark in response to the other dog. You may just not know it.

If you live near a busy road or a road that has people walking down it often, your dog might be barking excessively at the road noise or those people walking. Dogs often bark at unfamiliar noises or sights. Roads can often be noisy all through the night with motorcycles and large trucks traveling on them. So, your dog might very well be barking in response to traffic noise.

How To Stop Them

The best way to stop your dog from excessively barking starts with finding out why you think they are barking. Take a listen outside at night to see if you hear a dog barking or if you hear traffic noise. Make sure your dog is comfortable where they are. If you can figure out what the problem is, you might be able to come up with a solution as well.

If you are still having problems, or cannot figure out what the problem is, you may want to find a trainer to help you with your task of breaking the barking cycle. Trainers can often help you find ways to get rid of that pesky habit.