Why puppies bark
-
Fear
Puppies will bark at anything that is scary or startles them. It can range from anything such as a new person, dog, an animal, an object, a sudden loud sound, or anything they fear in the outdoor environment.
-
Territorial/Protective
If a person or animal comes close to an area that your puppy considers their territory, it will often trigger barking.
-
Boredom/Loneliness
Puppies become unhappy when they are bored and not stimulated enough, both mentally and physically.
-
Attention Seeking
When puppies want attention for food, treats, playtime, potty time, or even just for affection and love, they will bark.
While it is important for dog owners to provide their pets with the attention, affection, and care they need, it is also essential to establish clear boundaries and expectations for behavior. For instance, dog owners can train their pets to earn rewards through positive reinforcement, such as sitting quietly instead of barking for attention. Similarly, dog owners can set aside specific times for play, exercise, and affection, and ignore their pet’s barking outside of these designated times. By establishing clear rules and boundaries for their pet’s behavior, dog owners can reduce excessive barking and improve the overall quality of their pet’s life.
-
Greeting/Play
Puppies will often bark when they happily greet people or other dogs and bark during playtime out of excitement.
-
Separation Anxiety
Along with other symptoms of stress, some puppies present barking behaviors as one of the symptoms of separation anxiety.
-
Medical Issues
Some puppies will bark because they are experiencing physical pain or discomfort related to an injury or medical illness.
How to treat excessive barking
1. Create a safe space
There are many reasons why your puppy is barking inside of their crates, ranging from seeking attention, a need to go potty, desire for their food, symptoms of separation anxiety or stress, or your new dog may need some more time to acclimate to their crates. Once you figure out the trigger causing the barking inside the crate, you can help your puppy with their needs. Consider covering your puppy’s crate with a blanket or towel to eliminate any outside sights and sounds that may be causing fear or separation anxiety. Creating a safe space for them will help them feel more secure and comfortable, and they will consider their crate as their haven.
2. Vet exam
Some medical problems can cause excessive barking, so you should take your puppy for a veterinary exam to rule out any underlying medical issues or injuries.
3. Socialization
4. Relieve the boredom
There are endless amounts of ways to relieve your puppy’s boredom which can be one of the reasons they are barking. Puppies constantly need to be mentally and physically stimulated to stay active and relieve boredom and stress. So the next time you notice your puppy is barking for attention, consider engaging in exciting activities you can do together! How about going on some pleasant walks along the beach or your favorite hiking trail? Or how about teaching your puppy new tricks or playing games with them such as search, hide & seek, or a game of tug? All of these fun-loving activities will keep your pup busy, preventing any excessive barking behavior. And what’s not to love about engaging in ways to strengthen your friendship!
5. Stop rewarding their barking
Whenever you hear your puppy bark, it may be natural to want to run over to them to give them immediate attention. Still, teaching your puppy that calm behaviors will get them their rewards is essential. Try not to make the mistake of giving your puppy any attention when they bark, unless it is for medical reasons. Stay away from rewarding or encouraging the behavior, so they can learn that demanding behaviors will not get them anywhere. Instead, try to reward your puppy with their favorite treats when they become quiet instead. If they continue barking, don’t engage them but rather try to ignore them or leave the room until they become calm. Another training tip is to teach your pup to bark only on your verbal cue “speak,” and teach our pup to stop barking on the verbal cue “hush.
Additionally, dog owners can use distractions, such as toys or puzzles, to redirect their pet’s attention away from barking. By providing their pet with alternative sources of stimulation and rewarding calm, quiet behavior, dog owners can reduce excessive barking and improve the overall relationship between themselves and their pet.
6. Polite greetings
7. Management
Although the sound of a puppy barking is adorable to hear at first, this volume of barking will only get louder as the puppy ages into an adult dog. In addition, it can lead to excessive barking, becoming a more significant issue later on. So, the next time you hear your puppy barking, take a moment to figure out the triggers that are causing this to happen. Only by understanding it, you will help manage and control your puppy’s barking behaviors.