What Is Considered Excessive Dog Barking?

Excessive barking is constant and loud barking that interferes with neighborhood peace and disturbs those around them. If you’ve noticed a dog barking a lot or if neighbors have complained, it’s time to take action to try to stop the excessive barking.

You might wonder if there’s a specific point where barking shifts from acceptable to frustrating, and the truth is that the level and duration of barking that will prompt action really varies based on local regulations, your neighbors, and their patience. There is no strict rule about how loud barking must be to be considered excessive.

So, how much barking is too much?

Whether your dog barks outside once an hour for a short time or only once a day for 15 minutes, both instances can be considered excessive. There is often an expectation between neighbors that a dog’s barking will be controlled. If your dog is calm most of the time but barks and yelps when the mail carrier arrives, most neighbors might find that annoying, but generally understandable. But what about barking every time someone walks past a house with their dog? While you might not consider the barking a nuisance, given that you know the cause, from an outside perspective, it can feel excessive, constant, and simply annoying.

Curbing excessive dog barking

Unfortunately, some people have neighbors who will call the landlord or call law enforcement at the first sign of a “woof.” But dogs bark, so it’s unreasonable to expect them to stop barking entirely. And you can’t assume a dog will get tired of barking and stop on their own. You’ll need to take action. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Find out why your dog is barking

There are many reasons why a dog might bark, and understanding them can help you find ways to reduce it. Whether a dog is barking out of excitement when seeing a friend, alerting you because they notice something in their area (like a mail carrier or another dog), or if they’re feeling lonely or bored, there are steps you can take to help.

Get them more exercise

A bored dog is often a barking dog. One way to alleviate boredom is to provide plenty of opportunities for exercise every day. This could be long walks, running off steam at the dog park, or spending a few hours at doggy daycare. Giving them plenty of exercise can help with them being over-alert, frustrated, bored, or seeking attention. And don’t forget mental enrichment tools, such as a frozen Kong or puzzle feeder, which can help keep them entertained.

Use positive reinforcement training

Barking is natural for dogs, so you cannot expect to stop barking completely, but you can teach them alternative behaviors to use instead. For example, you can train a dog to go to their mat when they hear knocking on the door, rather than barking at the door. You can find ways to manage the trigger, for example, using baby gates or window clings to change your dog’s point of view.

There are some other things you can try to curb that excess barking:

• Try a change of space: If you normally crate your pet, try leaving them loose in a room. If you normally leave them outside, try putting them inside.

• Rule out anxiety: Anxiety is one very common reason for excessive barking, and it won’t get better on its own. In fact, if left untreated, it will likely get worse. If you think your dog is suffering from anxiety, see your vet or an animal behaviorist right away for tips on how to soothe their anxiety.

If you’ve received complaints, let the involved parties know that you are actively working on a solution. Excessive barking is a common reason people rehome their pets, but with the right help, most dogs’ excessive barking can be curbed.

References

“Excessive Barking | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.” Www.vet.cornell.edu, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/excessive-barking.