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Why do dogs bark?

Behaviour Tags: bark, behaviour, dog

159720_9351Dogs that bark are using their voice, as we use ours, to communicate or put a point across.

Predominantly the main reason dogs bark is to alert their owners that someone is outside the property and this is their way of letting us know, as well as protecting our (their) home.

There are different reasons behind dogs barking or howling. One reason is that it releases chemicals in their brain which makes them feel better, just as endorphins do for us. If a dog is alone it may bark to relieve anxiety, boredom and stress, achieving a little burst of pleasure to alleviate their feelings.

Another reason dogs bark is that they are looking to get a reaction. Take the example of the postman dropping the mail off: our faithful hound is lying in wait, anticipating the postman’s approach, and when the postman gets to the door our dog goes ballistic! The postman leaves (which is the required reaction), and our brave hound is convinced his mission has been completed successfully by seeing off this dangerous intruder. Not only is he protecting the house, he’s also having fun with it, providing him mental and physical stimulation for the day! However, if our dog has been barking all day and we return home – this will be deemed as another success for our fearless pooch – we are inadvertently reacting to his constant barking by giving him what he wants (but we do need to come home sometime!).

691491_31777347Other reasons dogs might bark:

  • General excitement: this could be down to anticipation of going for a walk, for example.
  • Mild irritation: when we aren’t throwing their favourite toy fast enough, they are demonstrating mild irritation and asking us to hurry up!
  • Attention seeking – the dog that barks whilst staring at you cheekily!
  • Contact: a method of dogs keeping in contact with their family is by howling and is usually done when they’re left alone. However, sometimes it could be down to certain music playing!
  • Boredom: some dogs find being left alone all day incredibly boring and their way to alleviate this boredom is to bark.
  • Anxiety: barking continuously through the day could be a sign of distress or anxiety. It’s unlikely that an anxious dog will be interested in their food or toys, as their main priority is get their parent back.

Managing your dog’s emotions and understanding their emotional needs can help him learn to deal with his situation and enable you to tackle the habit accordingly. If you need help with your dog’s vocal issues, then please see further information on behaviour and obedience.

To read about dog behaviour therapy, please read our article “An Introduction to Dog Behaviour Therapy”.

Dr Shahad Mohammed
Veterinary Physiotherapist
National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists
Dr Shahad Mohammed