Puppy Advice

Shussh! Be quiet please

Life with a puppy that barks excessively can be very stressful for both family and neighbours and, sometimes, for the puppy too. It is important to stop excessive barking in puppies fast before it becomes a bad habit.

Why do you bark?

Puppies bark to communicate or to reassure themselves. Just like us, they make a noise when excited, angry, frightened, frustrated, anxious, lonely or want something. The secret to stopping the barking is to find out why they do it or what they want and do something about it. A contented puppy is a quiet puppy.

Barking in excitement

This type of bark tends to be high pitched and repetitive. These puppies will appear friendly, energetic and happy to approach. It is commonly seen during exciting activities such as greeting owners, exuberant play or when you pick up the lead to go for a walk.

These puppies often need more stimulation throughout their day and will need to be given activities to do that are incompatible with barking.

Barking in frustration

This type of barking is often high pitched, loud and directed towards a specific object or person. Sometimes the puppy will also become cross enough to become destructive. This usually occurs when the puppy cannot gain access to something it would like e.g. the tennis ball has rolled under the couch or they are placed behind a baby gate and instead would like to be involved in a family activity.

These puppies need help being taught how to cope with the fact that they cannot always get what they want and that waiting patiently is a behaviour that is rewarded instead.

Barking for attention

This bark will be high pitched and the puppy’s gaze will be directed towards the owner. They will usually bark a few times followed by a brief silence, waiting to see if their owner will respond, before starting up again. This occurs when the puppy is trying to get some type of interaction e.g. play or affection, or they need something e.g. they are hungry or need the toilet. As soon as they get the attention they are looking for, the barking stops. This takes time to learn so it is more commonly seen in older puppies.

Attention seeking is very common in puppies who do not get enough attention or those who are given lots of attention, but only when the puppy demands it. These puppies benefit from learning that attention is readily available but not when it is demanded.

Barking when lonely

This often begins as barking but is also accompanied by whining and yelping, eventually progressing to howling. It is commonly seen when a puppy is left alone in social isolation, separated from their owners before they have learned to spend time alone.

These puppies need time dedicated to training them to be happy and secure when their owners leave them.

Barking when fearful or anxious

This barking is typically repetitive and lower pitched. It may be accompanied by growling. The body will remain stiff and rigid, sometimes with hackles raised. Young puppies will typically try to move away but older puppies may begin to move forward to drive the ‘threat’ away. It is commonly seen in situations where the puppy is worried and would like some space e.g. meeting unfamiliar dogs or people.

In situations where a puppy is very scared e.g. a nervous puppy is approached by a big dog out on their first walk, the bark may become very high pitched and almost sound like a scream, indicating a very high level of fear.

These dogs need lots of help to learn to feel less worried and feel safe in these situations.

Territorial barking

This barking is more common in older puppies (over 6 months of age). It starts as a ‘whoa-whoa-whoa’ sound and eventually reduces down to quieter ‘boofs’. This type of barking often coincides with growling too. This stems from fear and worry about an approaching ‘intruder’ and body posture tends to be more rigid and stiff. It is commonly seen when there is a knock at the door or people pass by the front window.

These dogs often need to be given a job to do that does not involve being on ‘sentry duty’ staring out of the window.

Which pups are more likely to bark?

Breed type
Terrier types are often more likely to be vocal. Any dogs whose ancestors were bred to herd or guard are likely to bark and warn you of potential intruders, especially if they are under stimulated.
Barking has been encouraged
If a young puppy is encouraged to bark from a young age or receives attention for this behaviour this will develop into a habit as they get older. This can become excessive, especially in those breeds more prone to barking in the first place.

How to encourage your puppy to be quiet

Quick fix
There is usually some more in depth training required depending on the reason for the barking. But if you need a quick fix so the barking does not wake up the neighbours or a baby sleeping in the house, these suggestions may help temporarily.
Distraction
If your puppy already barks excessively, help him learn to be quiet by distracting him from doing it and giving him something else to do instead that is incompatible with barking. This could be anything from sitting and waiting for a treat, to carrying a toy around in his mouth.
Quickly interrupt
Stopping the barking as soon as it occurs will help to prevent a bad habit from forming and will stop him learning how much fun it can be. Distracting him into doing something else that is more rewarding will teach him good habits for the future.
Prevent where possible
If you know when your puppy is likely to bark, prevent the unwanted behaviour by encouraging him to chew on something tasty or to play with a toy so that he is too busy to bark.

Shut Up!! Why punishment doesn't work

Although it is tempting to punish your puppy for barking, punitive methods often fail because they do not address the root cause of the problem for the puppy. Consequently, they still have the desire to bark even though temporarily inhibited by the pain or fright of the punishment.

Punishment, in the form of shouting, physical abuse, noise deterrents, spray collars, or shock collars may seem to work for a short time, but they are not a long-term or reliable cure. The motivation that caused the dog to bark in the first place is still there and, after the memory of the nasty experience has faded, the barking will begin again. Alternatively, the dog’s need to bark may be so strong that it overwhelms the painful or frightening punishment being delivered, and the dog continues to bark regardless while putting up with the unpleasant or painful sensations.

In addition, while punishment is being delivered, the poor dog experiences unnecessary pain or fright. Imagine how you would feel if you got a squirt of a nasty smelling substance up your nose, a kick in the ribs, or an electric shock every time you spoke. Tempting as it may be at times, especially when the barking is becoming really annoying or the neighbours are complaining, it is much kinder, and, ultimately, more productive to listen to your dog, find out why he needs to bark so much, and then to find a more intelligent way to solve the problem.

How can your Puppy School Tutor help?

This topic is not specifically taught on the Puppy School syllabus. But if you are experiencing issues with your puppy’s barking, please speak to your tutor to find out how they can help you further.

In some cases they may recommend a home visit to provide additional 121 support and help you create a good daily routine that meets your puppy’s needs (for excited puppies), teach them to be patient (for frustrated puppies) and how to modify interactions with your puppy so they do not learn to seek attention by barking (for attention seeking puppies).

Need more help?

In situations where the puppy is already howling when left alone, is barking at strangers approaching the house or is showing signs of fear (growling as well as barking) additional support may be required outside the remit of a puppy trainer.

In these cases it is best to seek professional help fast. Your tutor will be able to help you find an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist when further advice and support is needed.

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