Dogs bark for many reasons, but excessive barking when left alone can be frustrating for pet owners and disruptive to neighbors. Learning the cause and implementing solutions to curb barking are key to harmony. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the reasons dogs bark when alone and provide actionable training tips and techniques to quiet your pooch.
Understanding Why Dogs Bark When Left Alone
Before attempting to stop barking, it is important to understand the underlying motivation behind the behavior. Common reasons include:
Separation Anxiety
Dogs are pack animals and can become extremely anxious when separated from their family. Barking due to separation anxiety tends to begin shortly after owners leave and persists for lengthy periods. Other symptoms include destructive behavior, elimination, and depression.
Alarm/Territory Barking
Dogs may bark at noises or intruders near the home. Alarm barking is often repetitive and persistent even after the perceived threat is gone. Territory barking aims to ward off trespassers.
Boredom
Lack of exercise and mental stimulation can lead to barking from boredom. These barks are usually intermittent as opposed to incessant anxious barking.
Seeking Attention
Dogs learn that barking garners attention from their owners, even if it is negative attention. Attention-seeking barking can become habitual.
Medical Issues
Underlying medical conditions like cognitive dysfunction or pain can lead to problem barking. Consulting a vet can rule out health causes.
Tips to Reduce Excessive Barking When Home Alone
Once you understand the motivation behind the barking, targeted training can help curb the behavior. Useful techniques include:
Desensitize Departures
For dogs with separation anxiety, practice leaving for brief intervals and rewarding calm behavior upon return. Slowly increase departure durations. This teaches the dog to remain relaxed when alone.
Provide Interactive Toys
Keep dogs mentally and physically enriched with food puzzles, treat balls, and chew toys. Prevent boredom and distract from bark triggers.
Crate Training
Utilizing a crate can become a relaxing sanctuary for dogs. Introduce and reinforce the crate positively with praise, toys and treats. Never use the crate for punishment.
Exercise Before Departures
Ensure dogs receive adequate exercise before being left alone. Tired dogs are less likely to bark from pent up energy and anxiety.
Ignore Attention Barking
Rewarding attention barking inadvertently reinforces the behavior. Instead, consistently ignore the barking until your dog is quiet before providing attention or access to rewards.
Behaviorist Guidance
For severe cases of separation anxiety or territorial barking, consult a certified dog behavior expert for customized training. Anti-anxiety medications may also be recommended in extreme situations.
Provide Distractions
Occupying dogs with TV, music, or recordings of human conversation can distract from bark triggers. Lavender oil diffusers also have a calming effect.
Teach Quiet Commands
Use positive reinforcement to teach commands like “Quiet” or “Enough”. When barking occurs, interrupt with the command followed immediately by a reward when obeyed.
Debarking Collars
These collars sense vibrations from barking and emit a spray of citronella or a high-pitched noise to deter, but not harm dogs. Useful for stubborn barkers.
Bark Deterrent Devices
Devices detect barking and emit unpleasant high-pitched sounds only audible to dogs. Can be used remotely when owners are away.
Prevent Visual Triggers
Block dogs’ views of sidewalks and windows which can trigger territorial barking. Close curtains or blinds and confine to non-viewing rooms.
Dog Appeasing Pheromones
Synthetic pheromones mimic natural calming hormones emitted by nursing dogs. Diffusers and collars with DAP can ease anxiety barking.
Home Alone Training
Leaving dogs alone initially for very short periods and gradually increasing duration trains them to become more secure when alone. Reward calm behavior.
Curbing Attention-Seeking Barking
Attention barking can become an ingrained habit over time. Here are tips to reverse the behavior:
- Ignore all barking completely
- Reinforce silence by praising and rewarding when quiet
- Avoid scolding or yelling at your dog
- Eliminate on cue barking by not reacting to “triggers”
- Teach and reward an alternative behavior such as “settle”
- Provide mental stimulation through interactive toys when alone
With time, patience and consistency, your dog will learn that calm silence garners your attention, not barking.
When to Seek Professional Help
In cases of severe separation anxiety or excessive territorial/alarm barking, consult a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist. They can assess your dog’s unique issues and design an individualized training program. Anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed in extreme cases.
The Takeaway
Excessive or habitual barking when a dog is left alone can be resolved through targeted training tailored to the specific motivation. By determining the source of the behavior, implementing distraction and reinforcement strategies, and seeking professional guidance if needed, dog owners can help reduce problematic barking and restore peace. With time and consistency, your canine companion will learn to become more relaxed and quiet when home alone.
