Has your neighbour complained about your dog barking excessively? Both you and your neighbours deserve a peaceful, comfortable environment.
Here's a breakdown of the potential reasons why a dog barks and what you can do to curb excessive barking as the owner.
So, Why do Dogs Bark?
Barking is a dog's way of communicating. They'll bark to get your attention! But some dogs can't help but bark excessively. Your first step should be figuring out what triggers them to bark.
Once you understand why they are over-communicating, you can then move on to training them. It's worth noting that barking is just one type of vocal communication a dog can use and, depending on the context, can mean very different things.
Being Territorial
Excessive barking is often triggered when a person or something else moves into an area that the dog considers its territory. As the "threat" gets closer and closer, the dog will be on high alert and bark in a more aggressive way.
Fear
Some dogs bark at anything, be it noise, object or person that startles them. It can happen in any environment, not just in their "home territory".
This can also be brought on with age, as hearing or vision is gradually impaired, they may become more easily startled.
Loneliness
Dogs, like people, are social creatures. They love to socialise and be with other people and dogs. When left alone for long periods in a house or garden, they may become bored or sad and start barking to communicate that they are unhappy.
Play
Some dogs bark when they greet people or animals or to tell them that they want to play. Usually accompanied by a wagging tail and sometimes (depending on the dog) jumping.
Attention Seeking
Some dogs just want attention. They'll bark when they want to play or feel like they deserve a belly rub or snack.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety often bark excessively when left alone - the barking is usually combined with other behaviours such as pacing, destructiveness, depression and inappropriate elimination.
They may bark to hear their voice, and often they make repetitive movements like running along a fence line or around in a circle.
What’s Defined as “Excessive Barking”?
There are multiple acts and regulations in the UK that govern dog barking guidelines and measures. You should consult your local council or a solicitor for precise definitions and legal actions.
England
If a noise complaint is made to the council, they can investigate and confirm the nuisance. This can lead to measures and/or sanctions needing to be observed.
Scotland
Scottish law can result in dog owners being issued Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) or fines if the dog's barking creates a severe disturbance, disturbed rest, or reduction in quality of life for neighbours.
Wales
In Wales, excessive barking complaints are processed differently depending on the council but can also result in measures like cover letters, ASBOs or heavy fines if negligence is legally proven.
Northern Ireland
Similar to other parts of the UK, Northern Ireland mandates neighbourly cooperation to resolve barking issues primarily while enforcing documented measures whenever complaints persist.
7 General Training Tips to Try First
1. Don’t Shout
Don't yell at your dog to tell them to be quiet. Your dog will think you're barking along with them.
Instead, use a calm, normal voice when communicating.
2. Stay Positive
Make sure you keep your training sessions positive and upbeat. If you stay patient and have positive energy, your dog is much more likely to learn the behaviours and skills you're teaching.
3. Stay Consistent
You and your family need to ensure you consistently reward your dog for the same behaviours. It's confusing and unfair to your dog if you let it behave one way sometimes and another way at other times.
4. Keep Active
Exercising your dog regularly means your dog will have less energy to use on barking or misbehaving.
5. Increase Stimulation
Like keeping active, keeping your dog's mind active is essential. Invest in some interactive toys or DIY hacks to keep your precious pup entertained and distracted.
6. Rethink Your Fence
If you can further restrict your dog's view of what's happening on the street or in your neighbour's garden, the number of things that could trigger their barking will be lessened.
7. Talk to your Vet
If nothing else works, talk to your veterinarian. They could potentially refer you to an animal behaviourist who can help you determine the exact underlying cause of the barking.
What Can I Do to Get My Dog to Stop Excessive Barking?
If the more general training tips don't work, you can try one of the most effective ways to reduce excessive barking - A Bark Collar.
A bark collar is a helpful tool to distract your dog from their excessive barking behaviour. A bark collar has a sensor to detect unnecessary barking and will emit a response to divert your dog's attention away from what it was barking at. This will allow you to reward calmer behaviours.
Here are the different types of bark collars:
Citronella Dog Collars
These collars are very effective at distracting excessive barking. They emit a citronella mist when they detect continuous barking from your dog.
The mist is harmless and is safe on dog skin and fur. The spray and scent are an unusual sensation for your dog. So it's extremely effective in distracting your dogs.
We recommend the HoundWare multifunctional anti-bark collar. It's one of the highest quality collars available and suits both novice and experienced dog trainers.
Vibration Training Collars
Vibration collars are exactly as they sound. They use vibrations to deter your dog from constant barking.
Your dog will quickly learn that barking too much will lead to vibrations. The vibration given via the collar is not painful and doesn't cause any irritation.
Static Shock Collars
This type of collar is the most effective for training your dog. It works by emitting a low level and safe static shock when it senses excessive barking.
Many owners are intimidated by the Static Shock option; however, remember that the shock isn't painful. It's no different from the 'zap' you get from rubbing your feet across a carpet and touching something else. It's unpleasant for a split moment but not enough to hurt you.
This type of distraction may be necessary for stubborn dogs with a high drive and won't react to anything else.
If you need to train excessive barking out of your dog, explore your options with eDog. We have various training tools that suit your lifestyle, values and your beloved dog.
