Dogs aren't called man's best friend for nothing. Having a dog can be fulfilling in ways that most other activities can't even approach, and owning a dog has proven advantages. Dog ownership has even been proven to be medically beneficial, lowering blood pressure and reducing depression. Like most things, however, owning a dog can have downsides. One of these downsides is excessive or unwanted barking and
vocalization, and this can be a problem even for non-dog owners. Stopping dogs from barking unnecessarily, is dependent on understanding dog psychology, and why dogs bark in the first place. Only by understanding the root causes can you address the problem on its most fundamental level, and rid yourself of the unwanted noise of excessive dog barking. The following is an exploration of the underlying reasons for excessive barking, which will help you in tackling the problem.
The most obvious and valued reason for barking is as a warning that someone outside the pack is approaching the perimeter, and may be about to come to the door. This is one of the reasons why dogs are so valued; besides being companions, they are also able guards, and can reliably tell you when someone is on your property. Essentially, the dog is announcing that it is present and that the house is under its protection. This type of barking is the least likely to be a disturbance, since it is dependent on an external stimulus, i.e. somebody approaching the house.
A dog will also bark or vocalize to display its emotions; this is especially true of puppies or badly-trained dogs. Depending on the type of
vocalization, an owner can discern what emotions the dog is experiencing at that time. If the barks are short and sharp, accompanied by playful running, then the dog is likely excited; if the dog is whining, it probably wants your attention, is feeling lonely, or needs something from you. It might also be experiencing boredom.
Finally, and this is the sort of barking most likely to be a disturbance, dogs bark or howl in response to other dogs. This is common in suburban
neighborhoods at night, where the barking or howling of one dog sets off all the other nearby dogs, but it is also observed when dogs are interacting with one another, in the park or elsewhere. This type of barking, like most other undesirable dog traits, can be addressed with the correct training.
The main thing to remember is that dogs are quite like humans in a lot of ways. Dogs feel emotions, and they are driven by their instincts, to perform certain functions for the pack they live in. Whether it's obvious or not, a dog always has a reason for barking, and stopping the unnecessary noise is usually as simple as observing the dog's environment and addressing the source of the excitement or consternation, whether that's simply by interacting with the dog, or indeed ignoring the dog if it is simply whining for attention. Ultimately, taking note of the reasons listed above and working out which one is currently affecting your dog can be invaluable in stopping excessive barking, and restoring peace to your household and neighborhood.
