Reasons Why Dogs Bark
While a barking dog can seem to be just a nuisance or frustration for dog owners, understanding why your furry friend is exhibiting this behavior is highly important. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, and by understanding your pet deeper, you can have a more fulfilling connection and also be more in tune with understanding how to properly train your dog to stop the behavior. In this article, we explore a few of the reasons why dogs bark, and how these behaviors can be counteracted.
Dogs get bored, and they bark.
Barking, for a dog, is great fun. Dogs love to bark. It is fun, and just like we as humans love to speak, dogs are no different. If you are not giving your dog enough to play with, enough time outdoors to run around and tire out, or not adequately meeting your dog’s mental fulfillment needs, you may have a dog who barks out the window out of boredom. Dogs get bored just like humans get bored, and different dog breeds will need different levels of stimulation. By ensuring that you are getting your furry four-legged friend plenty of exercise, toys, and stimulation, you can often cut down on barking effectively if this is the case.
Your dog is overly protective of either you or your home.
If you have a dog who exhibits gatekeeping or protective tendencies, you may have a dog that will bark. This type of barking is, as opposed to barking out of boredom, barking as a warning to those passing by. It is doing it as a protective measure of it’s home, owners, and family. Dogs are derived from wolves, and wolves run in packs. Dogs, when they are taken care of by their owners, see their families as their pack, and will often times want to protect them. If you notice your dog barking and you also notice other overly protective behaviors, consider socialization and dog training for aggression.
Your dog is trying to get your attention.
If you notice your dog barking at you, oftentimes it is because your dog is trying to get your attention. Your dogs reason for getting your attention can range from needing to use the bathroom to wanting playtime or cuddles. Dogs rely on owner affection, and for their owners to give them the things that they need. If you notice that your dog’s barking is primarily directed at you, then consider what your dog might be trying to communicate, and consider dog training to train your guy a different method of communication that is more pleasant for the both of you. Your dog probably would rather not yell at you for what it needs, just as you would probably prefer not being yelled at. Keep in mind that some dog breeds, such as Huskies, love to be vocal with their owners, and are overall expressive and vocal dogs.
While there are a multitude of reasons why dogs bark, these are a few common ones that can help you understand why your furry friend is barking and how to counteract it with proper training and patience. Whenever you take on ownership of a dog, you have to understand that patience is key along with understanding in order to forge a deeper connection and relationship with your furry friend. For dog training tools such as our ultrasonic dog bark training device and pet harnesses, nail grinders, and more, check out our shop!