It's frustrating to be responsible for someone who doesn't even speak your language, but since your are the human, you have to go the extra mile to help stop your dog barking. The first step in quieting down your dog is discovering what is making him bark. Once you have an idea of what your dog is barking at (or barking for), you have a much better chance of teaching him to stop.
Reason 1. Barking dog Alarm
Barking is a dog's natural response to territorial threats. Your dog barking may deter potential threats to your security. A well timed bark can be very useful. Barking scares away other animals and lets intruders know that someone with teeth has noticed their presence. Barking is a natural form of dog aggression.
Reason 2. Outside dogs may be feeling left out of family (pack) life.
Some dogs don't do well outside because dogs are naturally pack animals and like to be around others in the family. When you leave them outside they feel left out.
Reason 3. Basic survival needs not adequately met.
Like humans, dogs feel unhappy and uncomfortable when their basic survival needs aren't being met. Not having water, or being fed at regular times, nowhere to sleep and having the chain to short can all lead to a dog barking.
Reason 4. An indication of a dog health problem.
Dog health is also a consideration. The same as dogs bark and while when they are physically uncomfortable, they may also do the same when they are sick or injured. Fleas, ticks, mites and infection may all be causes of your dog barking.
Reason 5. Dog aging
Aging dogs, like some elderly people may suffer from arthritis pain. They also may feel achy and stiff in cold weather and get less tolerant and grouchy as time goes on. Feeling cranky may cause dogs to bark at things which never used to bother them much before, other animals, noisy cars, children etc. Older dogs may develop problems with vision or hearing that cause then to become startled more easily.
Reason 6. Dog's mental state
Sudden or prolonged barking may signify a change in your dog's mental state. Old dogs sometimes suffer from confusion and dementia, just like humans.
Reason 7. Separation anxiety.
Some new puppies, especially those who have been taken from their mothers early, bark when left alone. If you don't find away to deal with puppy barking, you will someday have to deal with your lonely adult dog barking. Dogs who spend a lot of time with their people may become dependant on the constant presence of others. Therefore, when they are left alone, they feel anxious. And dogs express their anxiety by barking.
Reason 8. Boredom can cause dog barking problems.
Some dogs, especially breeds that have historically been used as working or hunting animals, get bored when they have nothing to do. The frustration of having nothing to do causes them to bark.
Reason 9. Dog breed.
Along with different sizes and temperaments, dog breeds differ in the way (and amount) that they bark. Some dog breeds, such as terriers, tend to bark more than others. Terriers in particular can be yappy because they are smaller and have shorter vocal chords. They also tend to be excitable and tenacious, the perfect recipe for barking. Hound dogs have been bred to call out when they have cornered their prey. They bark and howl, and their voices can cover some distance.
Reason 10. Barking to get attention.
Many dogs bark to get attention. They keep barking because the negative attention that they get is still preferable to no attention at all.
To conclude, this article has covered the circumstances known to cause dog barking. Dogs bark at things they see (or hear) that make them feel excited, territorial, frightened or angry. In addition, dogs bark because they are bored, lonely, anxious or scared, too needy, high strung or obsessive. Understanding why a dog is barking is the first step to keeping him quiet.
