Some dogs love to bark more than others, which can be very difficult for some dog owners. This is especially true if they have dogs that seem to bark for hours on end or bark every time a visitor comes to the door. This will likely leave these dog owners wondering: why do dogs never get tired of barking?
Dogs never get tired of barking because it is a self-rewarding behavior for them. This means that sometimes this behavior is too fun and rewarding to pass up, especially if the dog in question is bored and under-exercised.
In this article, we will be going over some of the reasons why dogs won’t stop barking. In addition, we will also be answering some other commonly asked questions on this topic and providing you with some additional things to consider about barking. Let’s get right into it!
Reasons Dogs Won’t Stop Barking
There are five common reasons why some dogs won’t stop barking. These reasons include excitement, boredom, fear, pain, and their want for attention. Here we will be explaining what all of these causes look like in dogs and what you can do to reduce these five different kinds of excessive barking. Here are the five reasons dogs won’t stop barking.
1. They Are Bored
Boredom barking is much more common than many people think it is. This type of nuisance barking is so common because barking is a naturally fun and rewarding activity for dogs.
As a result, many dogs turn to do this when they are bored. The best thing you can do to reduce this behavior is to provide your dog with more toys and things to do when you are busy.
Increasing your dog’s exercise is also a very good idea if he tends to bark out of boredom. This is because he will be more tired and more likely to take a nap than bark all day.
2. They Are Excited
Excitement barking is also a very common reason why some dogs bark excessively. Excitement barking can occur when guests come over when they see a dog while on a walk or during any other kind of exciting activity.
Having a routine that will calm your pet when guests arrive and training your dog to be calmer on walks are vital ways to reduce excitement barking so that it doesn’t get out of hand.
Remember, a little bit of excitement barking isn’t a big deal at all, but it becomes a big deal when it gets out of hand and becomes excessive. Therefore, managing this behavior is critical for this type of barking.
They Are Afraid Of Something
Fear and anxiety can cause a dog to bark excessively. A dog may also begin to engage in aggressive behaviors if they are barking excessively due to fear or guardian behavior.
Therefore, you should always be cautious if your dog starts barking as a result of fear. Anxiety can also cause excessive barking, and this is especially common when it comes to separation anxiety.
Due to the severity of these cases, it is always recommended that you see a vet rule out any medical causes for this behavior. A vet will likely also refer you to an animal behaviorist or a qualified dog trainer for correcting this behavior if needed.
They Learned That Barking Gets Your Attention
Sometimes dogs learn that barking gets them rewarded with their owners’ attention. As a result, some dogs start to bark excessively when they want to play or get some pets from the people around them.
The only way to reduce this behavior is to ignore it entirely and only reward your dog when quiet. It is essential to mention that this barking usually gets worse before it gets better, and this is because the dog is confused that their old habits are no longer working.
Staying strong and working through this period is crucial for reducing attention barking because caving in during this time could make excessive barking even worse.
They Are In Pain
Sometimes dogs bark excessively because they are in pain as well. If your dog is suddenly barking excessively when he didn’t use to, then this is a sign that you need to take your dog to the vet.
Although your dog may not exhibit any other signs of pain, it is still helpful to know some other signs of pain in dogs. Common signs of pain in dogs include but may not be limited to:
● Trembling or shaking
● Yelping, whining, or whimpering
● Excessive grooming (usually in one specific area)
● Hiding and avoiding being touched
● Limping and having difficulties with walking
● Having an abnormal gate
If you notice any of the above signs of pain in your dog, then you should take them to the vet as soon as possible. The excessive barking should also subside along with other symptoms as soon as the pain subsides.
Can Dogs Bark Forever
Dogs can bark for an extremely long time, but they will likely need to take breaks. This is because dogs can become tired after barking for a long time, and their throats can get horse after barking excessively.
Dogs also need to do things like sleep, eat and drink water, and they cannot bark excessively when doing these things. Therefore, a dog can break for a very long time, but not forever.
Can A Dog Bark For 2 Hours
Yes, a dog can bark for two hours straight with no problem at all. Although this can negatively affect the people around it, the dog will likely not be bothered too much.
Can Too Much Barking Hurt Dogs
A spell of excessive barking that goes on for an extended amount of time could cause their bark to become horse. It is also assumed that a dog’s throat could become sore due to too much barking. However, no other injuries have been reported in dogs as a result of excessive barking.
Can A Dog Bark Itself To Death
There have been no reports of a dog barking themselves to death. Although dogs may get a sore throat and a hoarse bark after barking excessively for a long time, no other injuries have ever happened due to this kind of behavior.
Will A Dog Eventually Get Tired Of Barking
Barking, just like yelling for humans, can make a dog tired after a while. This is especially true if they have been barking for a very long time. In addition, dogs eventually do need to do things like eating and sleep, so they will also stop barking for a while when they are doing these things.
How Do You Stop Nuisance Barking
Possibly the best ways to stop nuisance barking are to teach the quiet cue and manage their environment whenever you can. It is also essential to understand the cause of your dog’s barking. For example, excitement barking and attention barking are reduced in two different ways.
As for managing your dog’s environment, this means that you should block your dog’s view of things that they tend to bark at. This includes people and other dogs that they see through your windows or backyard fence. Keeping your dog away from these areas or putting up a barrier to block their view can sometimes help to reduce excessive barking.
In addition, you could also teach the quiet cue to quiet your dog down on command. Here we will briefly go over how you can teach your dog the quiet cue in a few simple steps.
Step 1: As your dog is barking, wait for him to take a break. When he stops barking, reward him with a treat or another reward. Be careful not to reward him as he continues to bark. Continue practicing this several times.
Step 2: Now, when your dog is quiet, say your cue word such as “hush” or “quiet.” Directly after saying the cue, reward your dog the same way that you did in step one.
Step 3: Continue practicing step 2. You can start to fade out treats after a while as well.
Things To Consider
There is an additional thing to consider when it comes to excessive barking in dogs. The main thing that we haven’t mentioned in this article that you should keep in mind is to be mindful of your neighbors and the laws in your area. Let’s go over it.
Be Mindful Of Your Neighbors
Many places have laws regarding problem behaviors in dogs, and this often includes excessive barking. It is essential to know the dog laws in your country, state, and local governments as a dog owner.
If your neighbors are bothered by your dog’s barking, they are often allowed to report it to the authorities. Plus, it is essential always to be respectful of the other people that live around you.
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