How do I stop my dog barking so much?

Barking is a completely natural communication tool for dogs. But if your dog is barking excessively and you’d like to help them calm down, it’s important to understand and address what’s setting them off.  Here, we look at some common (and not so common) barking triggers, and how to stop dogs overreacting to these situations.

It's best to start with very short periods of time to condition your dog to be left alone. Initially, leave your dog with a toy to distract them and simply step behind a closed door for as little as 10 seconds. Increase the duration slowly and work your way up to leaving the house for short periods of time. Eventually, you should be able to leave your dog alone knowing that they’re not barking due to anxiety. It is important to remember, however, that dogs should not be left on their own for lengthy periods.

If your dog barks from becoming overexcited, make sure they're getting enough exercise and mental stimulation. Otherwise, you will have a dog seeking to burn off excess energy in and around the home

As pack animals, dogs have a strong sense of territory. The most common reason for dogs to bark at people who come near their territory is to make them go away. In this case, as far as your dog is concerned, it works: the postal worker doesn’t hang around! Their sense of success increases your dog’s confidence about barking at the next potential intruder.

If this pattern is allowed to continue, it can become an automatic reaction. So make sure your dog is familiar with the ‘Quiet’ command, and give them a treat as soon as they exhibit the desired behaviour. By rewarding the behaviour you do want, you will soon have a much quieter and calmer household.

This is a variation on the postman problem above – so again, training your dog to be quiet on command can help. But this time, the ‘intruder’ actually wants to come into your dog’s perceived territory.

A good technique to help keep your dog calm while visitors are arriving is to walk them to the door on a lead. This gives you time to invite your guests in, while maintaining control over your dog. If necessary, lead your dog out of the room until they calm down, and start again.

To discourage nighttime barking, make sure your dog is getting plenty of physical and mental activity during the day, so they're ready for a good night’s sleep. Try to make sure their sleeping place is as quiet as possible, to minimise noise or lights from outside that might set them off. And don’t reward them with lots of attention if they do wake you up.

Being separated from you, their owner, could be one reason why your dog may be barking at night. If you suspect this is an issue, speak to an experienced behaviourist for advice.

If your dog has suddenly started barking at night after previously sleeping through, it may be a sign of a health issue such as pain or, in senior dogs, doggie demetia. So don’t ignore a sudden change in barking behaviour – seek veterinary advice.

If our dogs are used to travelling by car with us, the vehicle can become an extension of their perceived territory. And your dog might feel the need to defend their territory from passers-by. Getting a dog crate for the car and covering it with a blanket may help. That way, they won't be able to see out. Give them a tasty chew, too, to keep them occupied.

Some dog behaviours can be puzzling – and that includes their barking triggers. But issues like this are not uncommon, and may be grounded in unfamiliarity. A puppy raised in the spring may have been fully socialised around people, yet never met anyone wearing winter clothing. The unfamiliar-looking people they see on walks in the darker days of winter could make them feel anxious.

In this case, gentle familiarisation may help stop dog barking: you could play with them at home, wearing a variety of hats and coats, then reward good behaviour.

For more insights into dog barking – and how to reduce it – read our article on what your dog's bark means.