They say dogs are a man’s best friend, and even scientists agree that there’s a lot more to the bond between people and dogs than we know. These furry companions can, for example, understand human speech. They can read human facial expressions. They can even gauge how a human is feeling.
However, it’s only when your dog starts barking at everyone ad nauseam do you realize that you can’t do all of those things for your dog.
So what might be causing them to bark?
Reasons Your Dog is Barking at People
First off, it’s a dog. Of course it’s going to bark. Expecting that your dog will not bark is like expecting your child not to talk.
Excessive barking, however, is an issue that needs to be looked into, because it could indicate a number of issues. Some of these include:
Fear or alarm
Yes, dogs are meant to be fearsome creatures–depending on the breed—but they can be alarmed or fearful of situations too. And when they are, they’re very likely to bark.
Boredom and loneliness
Strange as it may seem, dogs can get lonely and bored too. They might need socializing with other dogs or people, and barking is a way to attract attention. Which brings us to…
They are trying to grab attention
Perhaps they want a treat. Perhaps they want to go outside. They’re just trying to communicate their needs with you.
Compulsive
Usually, when dogs experience separation anxiety, they tend to bark compulsively. Dogs can be depressed, and if they stop the moment you give them love, it might be a sign that they need help.
They sense danger
Your dog might have seen, heard, smelled, or felt something that indicates something sinister. In this case, their bark is a warning bell going off, meant to alert you.
How to Stop Your Dog from Barking at Everyone
We understand that their aggressive behavior is not desirable, and that it is more concerning than annoying for you. Here’s the course of action you should take in order to stop your dog from barking at people:
Notice who they’re barking at
Who, what time, or thing, triggers this behavior? Depending on your observations, you can deduce whether they are barking out of fear, frustration, or if they are just greeting a stranger.
How is their body positioned?
Like humans, a dog’s body language can tell you a lot about them. Are they hunched over—afraid? Are they relaxed and panting—alert? Are they jumpy—being playful? Are their ears and tails raised, have they barred their teeth and cocked their ears—aggressive?
Focus on the bark
Even if you’ve never owned a dog before, you can gauge their state of mind by listening to the tone of their bark. Try and determine if it sounds happy (high-pitched) or alarmed (low-pitched).
Try and Resolve the Issue
Depending on what you observe, either try to get rid of the trigger, or condition them to stop barking by giving them a reward, and so on.
Dogs Won’t Socialize?
If your dog keeps barking regardless, and if all your efforts have been in vain, they might just be an unsociable breed. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be helped.
You can try sending them to doggie day camps, such as the one at The Grand Paw in Palm Desert and Indio. We have everything from luxury suites to swimming pools to ample opportunities for your dog to socialize with other dogs. To find out more about our doggie day camps and day care centers, get in touch with us today.
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