Barking is an important form of communication for dogs. It is an important way to express fear, excitement, alarm, or boredom. While your dog may quiet down after barking for a long time, they do not get tired of barking. The desire to bark is still there, but they are too tired to keep going.
Why Do Dogs Bark and Do They Ever Stop?
Are you tired of your dog barking? Do you ever ask yourself, “Do dogs get tired of barking?” Do you want to know how to get your dog to bark less or even stop barking altogether?
There are times that you would like your dog to speak up, alerting you of danger. But, many dog lovers find themselves frustrated with excessive or ongoing barking. Especially if you don’t know what your dog is barking about!
If your dog barks excessively and you’re looking for a way to stop it, the first step is to find out what they are trying to tell you.
How Often Do Dogs Bark Normally?
Like people, some dogs are going to be more talkative than others. There are many different factors that go into how loud or quiet your dog may be.
This includes your dog’s age, breed, lifestyle, and health (both physical and mental).
Your reaction to your dog’s barking can also influence how often they normally bark in your home. If your dog is barking for attention, and you give that attention, they will bark more because they know it works.
In short, there is no normal level. Instead, there is a spectrum of normal that your dog will fall upon for a variety of reasons.
Why Is My Dog Barking So Much?
If your dog is barking excessively, they are trying to tell you something. They are communicating and it’s your responsibility to learn how to “speak dog” to get the message.
A dog that is prone to incessant barking is often experiencing high energy. They may be excited, nervous, agitated, or angry. In some cases, they could be dealing with pent-up energy that demands a release.
Do Dogs Outgrow Barking?
A young puppy that barks may outgrow some of its barking. It depends on what is causing it. Unfortunately, in most cases, growing up isn’t enough to address the problem.
Unwanted behaviors in a young dog or puppy will carry over to your dog’s adult life. This means that if excessive barking is a habit, it will continue to be a habit as they get older.
The only time that a dog will outgrow barking is if the behavior was the result of pent-up puppy energy. As your dog ages and matures, its energy level will naturally decrease.
Be prepared for the fact that barking continues as a habit even in older dogs.
What Does it Mean When My Dog Barks?
There are many reasons that a dog may bark. This can range from trying to communicate to behavioral issues. Here are some of the most common reasons for barking.
Greeting
Has your dog ever barked excitedly as you got home from work? In some cases, a dog bark is a way of saying hello. Especially if the bark is paired with other signs of excitement. The good news is that a greeting bark is usually short-lived. When the excitement of your arrival starts to wear off, so too will the need to bark.
Some Dogs Bark to Communicate with Others
If your dog can hear other dogs barking in the neighborhood, they may respond. This isn’t meant as an aggressive move.
They are socializing or communicating with each other. This is no different than when two people are chatting. The only reason we don’t recognize it is that we can’t understand what they’re saying.
Howling
While this isn’t barking, it is an example of communication.
In the wild, wolves and other wild dogs howl to communicate at a distance with one another. They could be trying to alert others of danger or announcing prey.
Some dogs will howl as a response to music, sirens, or other noises. This is often due to the frequency of the sound that they are hearing.
Sometimes Dogs Bark Because of Impending Danger
The most common, and acceptable, reason for barking is the presence of a stranger on your property. In this situation, your dog is trying to alert you to the possibility of danger. Known as alarm barking, there are many dogs that were bred for this purpose.
If your dog is very anxious, it may alert more than desired. But, if they feel secure in their surroundings, an alarm back is a sign that something’s wrong.
A Dog Barks to Establish Territory
This type of bark is often mistaken for the alarm bark. But, in this situation, your dog isn’t barking to give you a warning. Instead, they are warning others in the area. These are the dogs that bark anytime a dog is within eyesight, even if they are walking the other way. Territorial barking happens when a dog is trying to make it clear that this is their home, they are in charge.
When Dog Barking Means Boredom
Do you have a dog that’s expected to entertain itself for hours on end? Whether you’re out of the house for work or focusing on completing your housework, your dog may be bored. Dogs are pack animals, they don’t enjoy being alone! If your dog barks out of boredom or loneliness, they want your attention.
Separation Anxiety
Often mistaken for boredom, separation anxiety is a different level of loneliness. In these situations, your dog is experiencing severe anxiety about being left alone.
This is a condition that needs attention as soon as possible. It’s not going to go away on its own. In most cases, separation anxiety will get worse until it’s addressed.
Contact your veterinarian or a professional behaviorist to discuss your concerns. They will help you understand your best options.
How Can I Prevent Excessive Barking?
There is no magical solution for dog owners to stop their dogs from barking. Instead, there are steps that you can take to help reduce the barking and the noise.
Identify the Cause
The first thing you have to do is identify why your dog is barking. It is important to recognize that barking is the symptom, not the problem!
If you are able to address the cause, the excessive dog barking will stop.
Ignore
For dogs that are barking to get your attention, don’t give in. Take a moment to assess whether there is a serious reason for your dog to be upset.
If not, ignoring your dog will help to teach that they won’t get what they are demanding. Don’t touch your dog. Don’t talk to your dog. Completely ignore them.
When your dog finally settles down, reward them.
Remove the Trigger to stop barking
Is there a trigger that is encouraging your dog to bark? If so, barking is a response and the easiest way to stop it is to remove the motivation.
Do you have a dog that barks anytime someone walks past? Until you can train them to avoid the behavior, block their sight. You can keep your dog’s crate away from the window or, if your dog is loose in the house, pull the curtain.
A Tired Dog is A Good Dog
A dog that is feeling exhausted won’t have the energy to bark. This means that you can help to prevent excessive barking by tiring your dog out.
Consider taking your dog for a long walk or enjoy a game of fetch to burn off any extra energy.
Another way to burn your dog’s energy is with mental stimulation. This includes food puzzle games and training activities.
Background Noise
Many dog owners find that turning on the radio or the television can help keep your dog calm. Especially if you aren’t home.
There are television shows and stations designed for dogs like DogTV.
Training
If your dog’s excessive barking is the result of a behavior issue, the only way to address it is through training.
Don’t hesitate to contact a professional dog trainer or dog behaviorist to help you. They may introduce methods and techniques that you haven’t heard of.
What Dog Breeds Bark the Most?
Well-known interactive pet camera company Furbo released a study about barking frequency.
They tabulated data from the camera’s users and revealed the breeds that bark the most (and least). To do this, they calculated the number of times each breed barked per day on average.
The dog breeds that barked the most included:
- Samoyed – 52.8 barks per day
- Yorkshire Terrier – 23.6 barks per day
- Poodle – 22.2 barks per day
- Bichon Frise 20.3 barks per day
- Doberman – 19.6 barks per day
On the other end of the spectrum, the dog breeds that they found barked the least were:
- Bernese Mountain Dog – 3.1 barks per day
- West Highland Terrier – 3.5 barks per day
- Shetland Sheepdog – 6.1 barks per day
- American Staffordshire Terrier – 6.2 barks per day
- Shiba Inu – 8.1 barks per day
There are a few other breeds that have earned a reputation for being vocal that didn’t make the Furbo list.
Husky
If you’re looking for a vocal dog, the Husky takes the top spot. Not only do they bark, but they also whine, howl, and vocalize their feelings in many different ways.
This is a combination of their high energy and their big attitudes.
Chihuahua
Known for their high-pitched and sometimes excessive barking, chihuahuas are often referred to as being “yappy”.
This is a combination of different factors. They are territorial dogs, warning others that they are near. Chihuahuas are also high energy, meaning that pent-up energy can encourage dog barking.
German Shepherd
Not only are German Shepherds known for being protective, they are also herding dogs. This means that they are masters of communication.
The deep, intimidating bark of a German Shepherd often means potential danger is near. They are trying to communicate their concerns and take a protective role.
They are also highly energetic dogs. This means that they are prone to bark excessively from pent-up energy.
Beagles and Schnauzers
These terriers may not look like they have a ton in common, but they do when it comes to barking!
Both beagles and schnauzers were bred to hunt. This included alerting their people when they located their prey.
While your dog may not be out hunting with you today, the vocal tendencies of their ancestors are strong. It can be hard to get these terriers to stop barking.
Do Dogs Get Tired Of Barking: The Final Word
Bringing a dog into your life means accepting that they will bark at times. That’s not something that you can avoid.
But, with attention to the cause and targeted training, you can bring the volume down and create a calm home free from excessive barking. Don’t give up, a little effort goes a long way! It is possible to get your dog to stop barking.
