Dogs can communicate with one another and with their owners in a variety of ways, including by licking, sniffing, and barking. Your dog may occasionally bark at you to let you know that it needs something, such as food or attention. Other times, your dog might be barking to alert you to a danger nearby or to a problem. But how do you know which is which?.
See what you can do to provide for your dog’s needs and reduce its excessive barking by looking into the four possible causes.
Teach Your Dog “Speak”
This may seem a bit backwards. However, it can be useful when teaching the quiet command, as you won’t have to worry about catching your dog’s barking fits. Why would you teach a noisy dog to “speak”? Instead, you can instruct your dog to bark and then, as soon as they are quiet, use the “quiet” command.
As they are barking as you command them to, this is a simple way to “catch” them stopping.
Your Dog Is Ready for a Walk
Dogs need to be active and look forward to times with their owners, like the daily walk. If you take your dog for a walk at the same times every day, the barking might just be a signal to get going.
Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, so it’s typically not a problem if one of them is barking at you. Low-pitched barking that is accompanied by growling may indicate aggression. However, keep in mind that aggression is frequently brought on by pain or an illness—especially if it manifests suddenly and is out of the ordinary for your dog. So, putting aggression aside, here are some things your dog might be attempting to communicate to you:
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Your dog is trying to communicate with you when he barks at you. What that something is will vary. He might be yelling for food, requesting attention, acting protectively, letting you know he’s in pain, or warning you about something he thinks is dangerous.
FAQ
What to do if your dog barks at you?
- Try to ignore the barking; initially, it might continue or get worse for your dog, but this is perfectly normal. They will eventually realize that barking will not get them your attention if you persist.
- When silently waiting doesn’t work, politely request that they “sit” or “lie down.”
- Only interact with your dog when they are calm.
Why is your dog barking at you?
Your dog is trying to communicate with you when he barks at you. What that something is will vary. He might be yelling for food, requesting attention, acting protectively, letting you know he’s in pain, or warning you about something he thinks is dangerous.