Barking: Understand & Reduce
Barking is communication. Identify the reason first — then meet the need or change the context.
Common types
- Alert (noises/people): manage views, add background sound, reward quiet.
- Boredom: increase physical exercise and mental enrichment.
- Demand: don’t reward noise; pay attention when your dog is quiet.
- Fear/anxiety: increase distance from triggers; go slow and pair with treats.
Daily foundations
Provide sniffy walks, training games (hand-target, settle), and puzzle feeders. Teach a calm “sit and look” at windows/doors, paying for silence rather than shouting “no”.
Trigger planning
Note times and contexts when barking spikes. Adjust walk routes or window access during “busy hours”, then re-introduce gradually with rewards for calm.
Seek professional help if barking is constant, linked to panic when alone, or includes aggression. Ethical, punishment-free methods only.