How to stop a dog barking
The weather has been so amazing in good old blighty this summer, and with my first born off to school next week (eeekkk), I have been enjoying a bit of a blogging break to soak it all up! But I ’m back, and so is the blog!
While I was enjoying beach days, garden BBQs, and sticky ice creams, I couldn’t help but notice just how many people struggle with one common challenge: a dog who won’t stop barking 😩
Let’s talk about it because while barking is natural, constant barking can become a serious issue.
Terrier type dog in their home but barking at the window as it has seen someone walk by.
Why Excessive Barking Is a Problem
Sure, a bark here and there is no big deal, it’s how dogs communicate. But when it becomes excessive, it can really take a toll on everyone. For owners, it can lead to complaints from neighbours, disrupted sleep, and a frazzled nervous system wondering why their poochy pet is so loud. For dogs, it’s not just noise, it’s often a sign of stress, boredom, or frustration.
Barking isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a clue. And it’s up to us to do a little detective work.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
There’s a bunch of reasons why your dog might be barking:
Boredom or loneliness
Anxiety (especially separation anxiety)
Fear or territorial behaviour
Excitement or attention-seeking
Responding to triggers like other dogs, posties, or squirrels doing parkour
Each bark has its own reason, and the first step is figuring out what your dog is trying to say.
Beagle dog stood at patio doors barking.
What Not to Do (and Why)
Let’s get this bit out of the way. Please don’t:
Shout at your dog
It’s so tempting when your dog is mid-bark and your head’s pounding, but raising your voice can actually make things worse. Dogs don’t speak English—they speak energy and tone. When you shout, they often interpret it as you joining in. Instead of calming down, your dog thinks, “Great! We’re all barking now!”
Use shock collars or harsh punishment
These tools might suppress barking temporarily, but they don’t address why your dog is barking. More importantly, they can create fear, anxiety, and a breakdown in trust between you and your dog. You might stop the noise, but at what emotional cost? Dogs punished for expressing themselves may become withdrawn or even aggressive.
Ignore the problem
Hoping the barking will sort itself out rarely works. If your dog is barking out of boredom, anxiety, or fear, ignoring them can make the problem worse. Imagine crying out for help or attention and being constantly overlooked—how would that make you feel? Dogs are emotional creatures. If we don’t guide them through these moments, they can develop more severe behavioural issues over time.
Understanding what not to do is just as important as learning what to do. It sets the stage for a more compassionate, clear-headed way of helping your dog feel safe, calm, and understood.
A man with his dog, who he clearly loves and wants to help (not tell off)
What You Should Do
Identify the trigger
Is it the postman? Boredom? Noise outside? Excitement? Once you know what’s causing the barking, you can work to reduce it. There may be triggers you haven’t even thought of. Often when I speak with clients, they say things like, “That’s just him, he likes to talk,” or “She’s nervous of everything.” But this is a crucial first step. For some owners, the list of triggers might be long, and it may take time and patience to reduce both the volume and frequency of barking. It’s also very possible that there’s more than one reason behind the behaviour.
Exercise and mental stimulation
A tired dog is a quiet dog. Long walks, puzzle feeders, and games can all help reduce boredom-based barking. I can’t stress enough how many times a simple change in lifestyle has had a huge impact on barking—as well as on many other unwanted behaviours. Movement really is medicine for dogs.
Positive reinforcement
Reward your dog for being calm and quiet. Treats, praise, or even just your attention can help them associate quiet behaviour with good things. I recommend having one ‘high-value’ reward that’s only used to reinforce this specific behaviour. For example, if your dog loves frankfurters, only offer them when they’ve been quiet. If they have a favourite teddy, bring it out once they’re calm—and put it away again when they’re not. Make the reward meaningful.
Train alternative behaviours
If your dog barks when the doorbell rings, teach them to go to a mat instead. Replace the unwanted behaviour with a more desirable one. A mat or blanket is a great training tool. You can ask them to “go to your mat and wait” until your visitor is in and ready to say hello. One lovely lady I worked with found that a blanket on a pouffe worked wonders for her energetic dog, who loved to jump up to get higher. It’s all about figuring out what works for both of you.
Consider desensitisation
Gradually expose your dog to their triggers in a controlled way, rewarding calm behaviour as they become more tolerant. YouTube is a wonderfully free tool—you can play certain sounds in the background and slowly increase the volume over time. That said, this approach doesn’t work for every dog. I once rode a small bike during training sessions with a lovely pup who barked at cyclists. After weeks of gentle exposure and rewards, I was eventually able to cross her path with only an anxious look. Her owner even got her grandchildren involved to keep the training going between our sessions, and it made such a difference.
Give them company
If your dog is barking when left alone, consider doggy daycare, a dog walker, or even a second pup (if you're ready for that level of chaos!). Separation anxiety—or simply the fear of being alone—is more common than people realise. (See my blog: Dog Separation Anxiety for more info on this.) It became especially prevalent post-COVID, when many people got dogs while working from home. The dogs quickly adapted to having their humans around 24/7 and understandably struggled when routines changed and we started venturing out again.Barking is normal but it doesn’t have to take over your life. With the right approach, a little patience, and a whole lot of praise, you can help your dog feel more settled and quiet.
Barking is normal but it doesn’t have to take over your life. With the right approach, a little patience, and a whole lot of praise, you can help your dog feel more settled and quiet.
And hey, if you're feeling overwhelmed, reach out to a qualified dog behaviourist. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
See you next time (hopefully not after another three-month break!).
A lovely trip to Devon!
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