Discovering the Cause of Barking

Dogs bark as a form of communication. If your dog barks, there is a reason why. It may be simply a response to a stimulus, like a jogger running by the house—or it may be your dog's way of asking for help.

Ongoing, Excessive Barking - This is your dog's way of sending you a distress signal. Somewhere his needs as an animal are not being met. Is his world anchored by a pack leader who projects calm-assertive energy? Are you walking with him every day, which exercises his body and his mind? Is he living a balanced life? If nuisance barking is a problem, consider these issues to find a solution. It’s the best way to show real love for your dog. More tips on problem barking.

Barking as Greeting - Some clients tell me that they love coming home because their dog greets them excitedly by jumping and barking. They feel this proves their dog's love for the family. But in a natural setting, dogs don't bark, yelp, or jump on pack mates in a burst of affection. Dogs that greet their owners in this way are trying to communicate. But rather than professing undying love, they are probably trying to tell you that they are lonely and bored; their needs as a dog are not being met. The excitement is your dog's way of burning off the excess energy that has been building throughout the day. Don't be disappointed by this revelation. Dogs simply don't use emotions like people do. Remember, they're dogs. To love a dog means you must treat him like an animal, which means fulfilling him as Nature intended him to be fulfilled.

Remember the Fulfillment Formula: Exercise, Discipline, and then Affection! Are you providing this for your dog?

Learn more about Nuisance Barking in the 5th Volume of the Mastering Leadership DVD Series, Common Canine Misbehaviors.

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Tue, 05/25/2010 - 7:57pm — Vbzam

barking in the car

Hello, i have an 11 year old dog, that every time that have to take him at some place by car it's impossible to my ears. He barks all the time, if he see another dog on the street, he barks louder. When we have a trip to go is the same, we're gonna spend more time in the car and every time that i have to stop in the toll it looks like he's gonna eat the toll collector.how can i how can I teach my dog in this situation, what kind of correction should I do?

Tue, 07/13/2010 - 4:51am — EddieSan

I dont get it

I don't understand this part, if you have a question about your dog, you post your question and who reply to it???
Cesar or us?
do you understand this?

Wed, 04/28/2010 - 3:00pm — tallblondenurse...

Barking

All 3 of our dogs barked at the mail lady, and the UPS guy. I read (here I think) to put pennies in a soda can and shake it every time they barked. Oh my goodness. It is working like a charm. I keep one can by the door and one with me, incase I am in another room. I have been doing this for 3 days now and most of the time, all I have to do is say no and hold the can. I was able to carry on a chat with the family next door, without interuption. This was a great idea...Thanks

Wed, 03/31/2010 - 10:47am — heather7

barking

I have two poodles both rescue dogs. One is hyper active and one is tranquilo. I live in an apartment but they have a big open outside terrace and have 60 minutes walk every day.
The problem is barking. Before I even put the key in the door they start. If someone comes to my house they bark like maniacs. They do not bite and are not aggressive. I would love to know how to get them to stop it.

Mon, 03/29/2010 - 9:58am — mwerf84

3 month old ChiPoo

We have just gotten a 3month old chi-poo mix and are currently attempting to crate train her. When she first enters the crate whe will cry and bark and continues this sometimes for hours. We have made it comfy with a bed and give her a toy and a chew to help her pass the time. The crate has a divider and is only large enough really for her to lay down. Right now we try to ignore this bad behaviour but fear our neighbours will soon complain. We only approach the crate when she is quiet and dosile and dont make a fuss putting her in and out. We change the period of time she is in there ex if she has an accident or we cant watch her we put her in for only 10 minutes or so but if we are work she is in for about 4 (i come home at lunch to let her pee and sit with her)We make sure she has a chance to go outside to releive herself and play a bit before she enters the crate. I almost wondered if this is a seperation anxiety because her crate is beside the bed and she wont bark if she can still see us. What are we doing wrong and how can we improve our routine to help our little girl become more loveable to the neighbours!

Fri, 02/05/2010 - 8:39pm — spremore

Barking

My German Shepherd will start barking a little after dinner, as he's laying comfortably on the floor almost every night. Not agressively just plain, I-like-the-sound-of-my-voice kind of barking. Sometimes he does this as he stands in front of the sliding glass doors. (Which made me wonder if he was barking at his reflection!) He doesn't appear to be agitated or want to go out. It's only for about 10 minutes or so. I'm not sure why he does this but it is rather irritating as you can not hear over it. Any suggestions?

Tue, 12/22/2009 - 2:12pm — Cheryl Bobrowicz

problem barking

We found something to stop barking and it works GREAT!!!!! Take a empty soda can and put 13 pennies in it. When your dog barks at another dog shake the can at him, sounds simple, it is, but it works soooooo well. We use the can to stop nuisance barking and to stop our Boerboels agression towards other dogs, it is working for both. So everyone out there with a problem barker save those soda cans, put those pennies in it, keep one in each room of your house and one in the car and the barking will stop, you can also take a can with you on a walk. All our boerboel has to do now is see the can and he stops whatever inappropriate behavior he was about to start.

Robin

Fri, 01/22/2010 - 4:35pm — westhighland wh...

It worked for me, too.

In her younger years, my dominant, terrier bitch had serious issues with the dog that moved in next door AFTER she had claimed the territory as her own. She went into a serious frenzy as she tried to attack the dog through a chain-link fence. I'd never heard of Cesar back then, so I tried marbles in an empty can. She was so deep and immediately into pray-drive mode that she would not have registered a shake, so instead, I threw the marble-filled can against a stable, solid object immediately next to her. I'm glad that my aim was good and my timing perfect because the outcome may have been less positive had I accidently hit her. Anyway, she immediately stopped her barking frenzy, and the second she did, I said "treat" and rewarded her with a treat. From then on if she barked, all I had to do was say "treat" and she'd come running.

Tue, 03/02/2010 - 7:33pm — socaljda

I'm glad this worked for you.

I'm glad this worked for you. But I'd be concerned that the dog would associate the treat with the barking and then stopping. That could cause a dog to bark much more, expecting a treat to come every time the dog ceased barking.