If your dog barks at you while playing don’t worry. Dogs often bark then they play with people or other dogs. The barking is a sign of excitement. Your dog is trying to tell you that they are having fun!
How do I get my dog to stop barking when playing?
If your dog barks when playing it’s not usually a bad thing. The only exception would be excessive barking. If your dog freaks out while barking when you play together it could be a sign that something is wrong. Here’s some common reasons a dog might bark a lot while playing, and some steps you can take to stop the barking behavior.
Separation Anxiety
If your dog is alone for long periods of time on a regular basis, then all the play barking could be a sign of separation anxiety. The best way to combat this is to keep spending time with your dog! Set a regular play time with your dog and stick to it. Once your dog has a routine and knows that they can expect some quality playtime each day, they will start to calm down and stop the excessive barking.
Your dog is in pain or uncomfortable
If your dog is barking excessively while playing it could be a sign that something is wrong. Your dog might be trying to tell you that they don’t feel well or that something hurts. If you think your dog is in pain it’s best to contact your vet right away, as it could be because of an illness or injury.
Why does my dog bark when we play fight?
Play fighting is a healthy part of a dog’s development. It teaches boundaries to young dogs and helps socialize them with other dogs and people. If you’re fighting with your dog and he starts barking, it’s likely because he is really enjoying himself!
Do you remember running around as a kid and your parents telling you to stop yelling or to quiet down? You were so excited you didn’t even notice you were being so loud. It’s the same idea with your dog when you play fight.
How can I tell if my dog is mad at play?
Barking by itself doesn’t mean your dog is mad at you, especially when at play. If your dog feels threatened or angry there will be other tell tale signs that accompany barking. Some of these include growling, stiff posture, disobedience to commands, flattening of the ears, and avoidance of touch. If your dog shows any of these behaviors, it’s likely he or she is upset about something.
Why Does My Dog bark When Playing With Toys?
Just as with play fighting, when your dog plays with toys he’s likely to bark if he’s excited and having a good time. If your dog barks and displays some of the angry behaviors we just talked about then your dog might be acting over possessive with his toys. This is a behavioral issue and you’ll need to train your dog to address it. Most of the time though, if your dog barks when playing with toys it’s because he really likes his toys!
