WHY Dogs Bark and HOW to Deal with Barking

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We have had several discussions recently on BARKING and how to deal with barking which ranged from training to Citronella Collars.

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Where you can find more articles from Katelyn

Why do dogs bark at windows? Find out…by Katelyn Schutz, CPDT

Ever wonder why your dog rushes to the window, barking at sights and sounds outside of your home?  Curious why your dog so incessantly 
reminds you every time a stranger or another dog walks by your front 

sidewalk?



Believe it or not, wolves bark much less than the domestic dog.  This 

is because barking is a trait that we humans selected for in our dogs!  

So before you place blame on your pooch, understand that we bred this 

into them, actively selecting it for the "watchdog" value that benefited 

us.



It is actually estimated that vocalization makes up for less than 10% 

of a dog's daily communication.  So when they do bark, pay attention, 

because it's definitely for a reason!  A dog's bark is intentional 

communication to his pack, and in the case of vocalizing at a picture 

window, the barking is often a warning to his pack members of potential 

danger.  I frequently interpret barking at a window (or through a fence, 

or at the end of the leash, etc.) as an alert to the pack that someone 

or something is encroaching on the territory.  Basically, your dog is 

saying, "Alert! Alert! Call the pack! There's an intruder approaching 

our den!"  And guess what?  When your dog barks at that passerby, and 

they continue to walk away down the street... your dog only gets 

reinforced for barking, by thinking THAT'S what made them leave their 

territory!



I also find that the barrier of the window ("I can see it, but I can't 

get to it!"), creates horrible frustration intolerance in our dogs.  If 

your dog's bark is very high-pitched and rapid, accompanied with 

excitable body language, your dog is probably barking because he 

actually wants to say hello so badly.



But despite knowing why our dogs bark like this, we commonly find it an 

irritable problem behavior, especially for those living in closer 

quarters to others who may not be as understanding of our dog's barking 

(ie: apartment or condo living, close by neighbors, etc.).  So what do 

you do to help curb your dog's bad habit?



I'll start by telling you what NOT to do: yell at your dog to be quiet. 

This is simply barking back at your dog, and will only encourage the 

behavior further.  Loud vocalizations are interpreted by dogs as 

excitable, so do not give your dog any more excuses to think it's okay 

to bark so incessantly.  Besides, calm benevolent leaders do not act out 

of control this way, so why expect your dog to listen when you yourself 

are acting like an ill-behaved puppy?



Instead, act like a pack leader would to cease a barking pack mate:  be 

quiet.  I know it sounds counter-intuative to us humans, but in the dog 

world, a short, low, breathy growl is authoritative and effective.  This 

is believed to stem from the fact that loud, excessive barking can 

attract predators, so instead of barking back to stop barking, this 

quieter communication pattern has evolved.  To discourage the barking 

behavior of your dog, mimic this low, authoritative growl and state a 

command like "Enough" or "Quiet" in a very businesslike and unemotional 

tone.  This will make more sense to your dog naturally, and will be more 

effective than yelling at your dog in frustration.



I find taking the leadership role works best.  I will say very calmly 

to my dogs, "Ok, thank you for letting me know, that's enough now" and 

then re-direct their attention to me in a positive manner.  When they 

cease barking and come to check in with me instead, they receive a treat 

or perhaps some special attention and praise.  In response, they learn 

it's better to alert by coming to me, than it is to bark at the window.



Implementing remote corrections can be helpful, especially when we 

don't have all day, every day to remain vigil over the window in case 

our dog barks.  Try a squirt bottle, or a shaker can perhaps.  Remember 

- every dog responds differently, so aim to find something humane, but 

effective, to startle and interrupt the barking, even if it's only 

momentarily.  It is vital that it must be REMOTE and the dog cannot see 

the tool.  If your dog barks, and you show her the squirt bottle before 

you squirt her, she will only remain quiet when the bottle is present.  

However, if you hide around the corner, and sneak a squirt at her 

whenever she barks, your dog think, "Gee, every time I bark, water falls 

from the sky!", and she will discontinue the behavior whether you OR the 

squirt bottle is present or not!



Solicit a neighbor or friend to walk by your house several times, to 

provoke your dog to bark when you have the time to train her.  Try using 

the interruption tool the MOMENT she starts to bark, then take those 2-3 

seconds of quiet as an opportunity to re-direct your dog's attention to 

you instead.  Re-direct, treat, repeat!



A quiet pack equals a happy household.  And a happy neighborhood too!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Thanks Joanne, this is great information.  We have been working with Libby on the bark at the front window.  We have definitely seen when we talk calm to her and tell her "it's ok, or quiet" she reacts positive with us and usually the barking stops. The backyard is a whole different story!  Whoa!  We have some Pit Bulls next to us and she can really get going when she hears or smells them!  I am not even sure she would even let us talk to her while she is barking at them.  Usually we give her the "now" command and she comes running, but occasionally she ignores us and keeps on barking and howling!  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for this information, Joanne.

I HATE barking for any reason, HATE, HATE, HATE!!!!  Even growing up, I never had a dog who barked.  They just didn't.  The one time there was a problem, the dog we had, stood at alert at the front door, and if the intruder had gotten in, it would have been the last thing he ever did.  There was no question that our dog was on the alert, but he didn't need to bark to be protective. My mom's Westies were the first dogs in our extended family that barked.  Now we have Ned and Clancy.  Ned most of all alerts the pack. 

Basically, your dog is saying, "Alert! Alert! Call the pack! 
There's an intruder approaching our den!"   

OMD, it describes him perfectly.

Ned barks the alert and Clancy followed suit and finally even Gordie has begun barking.  ENOUGH!!!  We began getting complaints at some of the 'posher' campgrounds because the dogs barked when we left them.  Three dogs barking is annoying.  We got e-collars this summer to use in the RV and, WOW, we have very little barking - if any, we get one or perhaps two barks and then silence..  What is really cool is that the dogs are not getting in that alert state much.  Most of the time now they calmly watch people walk by, and set up their camps. It is awesome to have calm dogs laying around. This is even when they don't have the collars on.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Nancy, I'm so happy to hear that the e-collars have helped with your "RV barking issue".  We've made lots of progress with the barking here too when people are walking by....now I have to work on stopping it when there are other dogs or the "kitty" who loves to visit our front porch.

[Christine & Camus]

Nancy,  Glad to hear you were successful with the barking and I know how you feel.  It is so peaceful without the constant barking and not having to worry about the neighbors.

[Carol and Banjo]

Very interesting read Joanne.   Banjo barks to alert his "pack" to a variety of known and unknown intrusions.   I find it annoying sometimes, but for the most part I'm happy that he does let me know someone may be about.    I really haven't tried to discourage him because I find it comforting to know that no one will be coming to my door unnoticed.   He doesn't bark excessively so I guess I consider it a good service.   Generally I'll get up to see that all is well and his job is done.   I'm going to try the low voice for those times I don't want to get off my butt.