Barking comes naturally to dogs, but constant barking or whining can be annoying and upsetting for your neighbours.

Often the problem occurs either when the dog's owner is out of the house, or is simply used to the noise. Consequently the owner doesn't realise just how bad it is until someone complains.

There are many reasons why a dog may bark including:

• Loneliness
• Boredom or frustration
• Attention seeking
• Defending territory
• Medical problems

What can you do?

 

•  Try to give your dog more exercise. Tired dogs don't have the energy to get too over-excited. If your dog doesn't run about enough on his walks then teach him to retrieve and throw a ball or Frisbee for him to really get him moving.

 

•  Brush up on his obedience training. Make sure that he can ‘sit', ‘down', ‘stay' or go to his bed when you tell him to. If you don't know how to then visit a good local training class or read our ‘Basic Dog Training' factsheet. When he starts to bark, command him to do something else instead and he should become quiet.

 

•  If you can, try to get him used to the things that make him excited by repeatedly exposing him to them over a period of a few days, ignoring his reaction and praising and rewarding him as soon as he quietens down.

 

Remember – don't shout at him to stop barking, as he may think that you are excited too and bark even more loudly!