There's no doubt that dogs love to bark. They bark when they're happy, when they're excited, and when they want something. But do dogs ever get tired of barking?
And what is the science behind constant noise? In this blog post, we'll explore these questions and more!
Do dogs get tired of barking?
Let's get this question out of the way - the short answer is no, dogs don't ever tired of barking.
We'll explore the reason below:
Why do dogs bark
To put it simply, dogs bark for a variety of reasons.
Barking is one of the primary ways that dogs communicate with each other and with us.
So, when they want or need something from us, they'll bark. If someone is in danger and they need to warn you? Yup, bark.
They may be trying to warn you of danger, signal that they're hungry or thirsty, or simply express their excitement.
Dogs can also bark when they're bored, anxious, or frustrated.
Excitement
One of the more common reasons why your dogs bark would be out of excitement.
If they see a squirrel, they might get excited and bark at it because it's new, or your dog has a prey drive.
Sometimes, when you come home, they're also excited to see you - so the best way they can greet you is to bark at you!
Fear
Another reason for dogs barking is out of fear or anxiety.
Dogs are very intuitive creatures, and they can sense when something isn't right.
If there's a strange noise outside, or someone at the door that they don't recognize, they might start barking to try and warn you.
This is especially common if your dog is from a guard dog breed, i.e. German Shepherd.
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety in dogs is probably one of the most common reasons for excessive barking.
Dogs are social animals, and they thrive on companionship.
When you leave them alone, they can get anxious and stressed - which may manifest in excessive barking.
If your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, the best thing you can do is to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
They will be able to help determine what you can do to help your dog ease it's anxiety.
Boredom or loneliness
Another common reason for excessive barking is boredom or loneliness. If your dog is left alone for long periods of time, they may start to bark out of boredom or frustration.
To help reduce this type of barking, make sure that your dog has plenty of toys and puzzles to keep them occupied.
You can also try crate training or doggy daycare to help reduce their loneliness. Some dog owners report that having more than one dog at home helps with the loneliness when they're at work, too.
Psychiatric issues
This issue is probably a little tougher to diagnose or discover.
But if your dog is barking excessively and there doesn't seem to be any clear reason, it's possible that they may have a psychiatric issue.
This could manifest in a number of ways, such as separation anxiety, depressive episodes, or even Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
If you think that your dog may have mental issues, it would be much better to bring them to a vet to properly diagnose and help your dog.
Social Barking
This is probably the most common type of barking that dogs do - remember when a neighbor's dog was barking, and a ton of other dogs (including yours) joined in?
Yup, that's essentially what social barking is - communicating with each other via lots of seemingly chaotic barks.
It's also the most difficult to stop, especially if your dog is young.
Puppies, in particular, love to bark at other dogs - it's their way of trying to play or interact with them.
Breed specific behavior
Some breeds were bred to bark - such as the Basset Hounds and Beagles.
Their roles literally required them to bark; They would use their noses to find prey and when they do, they will bark loudly for the hunter to find them.
Other breeds, such as the Terriers were bred to go after small animals that would hide in burrows - so their barking was meant to flush them out.
Nowadays, these behaviors are no longer required of these breeds but they do still retain some of that instinctual behavior.
Territorial Barking
This is also a pretty common reason for barking - dogs can be very territorial creatures, and they see their home and yard as their domain.
So if someone or something is trespassing on their territory, they will bark to try and scare them off.
This type of barking can be difficult to stop because it's instinctual for your dog. But with patience and training, it is possible to reduce territorial barking.
How do I know if my dog is barking too much?
If your dog is barking excessively, to the point where it's disrupting your life or bothering your neighbors, then it might be time to do something about it.
First, you should rule out any possible medical reasons for the excessive barking. If there doesn't seem to be a physical reason for it, then you can start working on training and behavior modification with your dog.
Remember - Dogs bark for a reason. So if you can figure out why they're barking, you'll be one step closer to stopping it.
There are many things you can do to help stop your dog from barking, such as obedience training and providing plenty of exercise.
You can also try doggy daycare or dog walks to help socialize your dog and tire them out.
Conclusion
Dogs bark for many reasons - to communicate, to socialize, to exercise, and more.
So do dogs get tired of barking? The answer is a resounding "no".
However, while it may be normal for your dog to bark some of the time, excessive barking can be a problem.
If your dog is barking excessively, try to figure out why they're doing it and then take steps to help stop the behavior. With patience and training, you can help your dog learn to bark less.
And hopefully, everyone will be happier in the process!