Why do dogs bark?
Dogs can bark for a number of reasons, mainly due to boredom, excitement, anxiety or from a stimulus/trigger.
Managing barking can be done by first identifying its cause. Look at when the barking occurs, what is happening in the environment at the time and the type of barking – is it constant or intermittent and can the dog be distracted?
Check in with your neighbour as to whether your dog barks while you are away from home. Does the dog bark all day or only some of the time? In some cases, dogs bark when home alone and owners are unaware that their dog is barking.
Barking is often an indicator that your dog is not having its needs met. A dog’s needs are made up of biological needs, emotional needs, social needs and cognitive needs. Dogs are known to bark if they are bored or under stimulated. They may also bark due to fear of people coming in their territory or unfamiliar noises. It is also natural for a dog to warn us about potential intruders and unfortunately they are often unable to distinguish between welcome guests and people strolling by.
Please note, this advice is generic in nature and we recommend speaking with your preferred veterinarian who can provide behaviour advice and complete a full health check to make sure there are no medical reasons for your dog’s barking.