Help! My Dog Barks When I Leave

If you’ve found yourself up late-night googling “My dog barks when I leave” with ever-increasing desperation, don’t panic. You’re not alone.

All dogs bark, for sure. Kids talk, dogs bark and adults pray for peace. It’s just the natural order.

But sometimes, that barking becomes more than just occasional. More than just something you can grin and bear. And when it seems to be triggered by one thing in particular – you leaving the house, for example – it becomes less of a niggling little annoyance and more of a big-time worry.

But before you start pulling your hair out, take a moment to step back. Yep, you’re probably not in your neighbor’s good books right now. No, you’re not going to be able to let the problem go on forever. And sure, you might have some work in front of you.

But this is do-able.

When a dog barks, it’s for a reason. Understand that reason, and you’re already well on your way to finding a solution.

So, let’s cut to the chase. If you’re as sick of questioning why your dog barks as you are of the barking itself, it’s time to find out exactly what you can do to put an end to both.

WATCH VIDEO: Discover How To Quickly Stop Your Dog Barking Using 5 Simple, Yet Highly Effective Calming Exercises…

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Common Reasons Why Dogs Bark

Before you can tackle a problem, you need to understand what’s causing it in the first place.

Dogs bark for 101 different reasons. Sometimes, it’s fine and perfectly normal. Other times it’s anything but.

Not all solutions to problematic barking are going to be applicable in each and every case. If your dog’s barking because they’re bored, you might need to use a different approach to the one you’d use if they’re howling through anxiety. If they’re yapping out of fear, using the same technique you’d use for ‘genetically programmed’ barkers (yep, it’s a ‘thing’) is pointless.

So, the first step in solving your dog’s barking issues? Work out if it’s only the sound of you shutting the front door behind you that’s the problem, or if there’s anything else at work.

Some of the most common reasons for excessive barking include…

It’s in Their Nature

Remember a second ago when I mentioned ‘genetically programmed’ barkers? I wasn’t just using big words.

Some dogs are just hard-wired to bark. It’s in their nature. Smaller breeds like Poodles and mini-Schnauzers are the usual suspects, while terriers are legendary howlers.

If your dog’s small, high energy, and has a working dog heritage, they probably think they need to alert you to every little movement, sound, or situation they come across.

Phone ringing? Mailman at the door? Neighbors just arrived home? Then how will you know unless they tell you?

So, they do. Loudy, frequently, and sometimes, just a little too enthusiastically for comfort.

They’re Bored and Under Stimulated

When we get bored, we get to flick the TV on and take our minds off it. Dog’s don’t have that luxury.

If they’re bored, you’re their entertainment. Or at least, the source of it.

Some dogs are happy enough to spend all day napping. A quick nip around the park to do their business, and they’re sorted for the day.

Other dogs, especially working dogs like Collies, Pointers and Retrievers, need more. A lot more. If you don’t give it to them, they’re going to get bored. And when they get bored, what are they going to do? You guessed it… bark.

More often than not, a bored dog won’t just vent their frustrations with the occasionally howling session.

If you notice them indulging in out-of-character, seemingly mindless bouts of destruction (excessive chewing, digging, pacing, etc.), it’s likely they’re feeling the effects of boredom.

They’re Territorial

Some dogs are bred to be protective.

Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, Great Danes… all breeds that make great guard dogs, and all breeds that see it as their natural duty to keep you and your property safe from intruders, ne’er-do-wells, and even the occasional passing mailman.

When this type of dog barks, it’s usually less of a greeting and more of a warning.

If you notice your dog ‘patrolling’ the area, if even the sight of a squirrel is enough to raise their hackles, and if every dog they meet is greeted with a volley of less than friendly barks, it’s likely you’ve got a very protective alpha dog on your hands.

They’re Attention Seeking

Thought toddlers could be demanding? Let me tell you, a 3-year-old has nothing on an Australian Shepherd. Or a Collie, for that matter. Or even a Lab. And as for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels…

You get the idea.

Some breeds are demanding. And even if we overlook the matter of breed, certain dogs are just naturally more attention-seeking than others.

For this kind of dog, it’s not enough for them to simply wait patiently for you to do something. They’re going to want to set the pace.

Maybe they want you to play with them. Perhaps they want a treat. Whatever it is, they want it now, and they’re not prepared to take the risk of you not knowing about it.

And so they bark…

But My Dog Barks When I Leave the House – Why?

So far, we’ve looked at some of the most common reasons dogs bark in general.

But what if none of these apply to your situation?

What if your dog is quiet enough when you’re at home, but a veritable banshee when you leave the house?

In these cases, you might be dealing with…

A Fearful or Anxious Dog

Humans are far from the only creatures that can feel fearful or anxious. Dogs, especially rescue dogs, can just as easily develop anxiety as we can.

Maybe they weren’t properly socialized before they came to you, or perhaps they have a history of isolation and neglect (or sometimes, even the opposite – dogs who’ve experienced too much molly-coddling are as liable to suffer from anxiety as those who’ve experienced too little).

If you’ve very recently welcomed your dog into your home, they could be struggling to adjust to their new environment.

All these factors (and several more besides), can make a dog a prime candidate for separation anxiety.

In these cases, a barking dog is a dog in distress. Typically, the excessive barking will be accompanied by other ‘calls for help’, including drooling, eliminating indoors, chewing or clawing at the furniture, and in some cases, looking for ways of escape.

We’ll look at some of the ways you can treat separation anxiety shortly, but in the meantime, it’s well worth checking out these 5 step by step calming exercises. You’ll find them especially useful if your dog is struggling to adapt to a new environment or routine, or maybe feeling a little anxious after the arrival of a new baby or pet.

A Pack Leader

Dogs are pack animals, and whether you know it or not, you’re part of their pack.

But are you the pack leader, or are they?

If your dog starts barking as soon as you leave the house, it could well be the case that they are… even if only in their minds.

If a parent spots their child wandering off without them, they’re liable to go a little crazy. If a dog sees a member of its pack do the same, so do they.

How will you cope without them? Who’s going to protect you if they can’t?

Those are the questions running through your dog’s head when you leave the house without them in tow. So, it’s only natural, then, that they’re going to scream the house down until you’re safely back inside its four walls.

When your dog starts barking when you leave the house, they’re calling you back. And if you don’t respond, they’re going to get stressed, destructive, and ever more desperate.

You’ll probably notice your dog stops barking the moment you appear. It’s not a coincidence. With their pack back together, they can go back to normal.

But unless you plan on never leaving the house again, it’s only a matter of time before it happens again.

If you want to preserve your neighbor’s sanity and your dog’s happiness, this isn’t something you can ignore.

It’s time to get active.

How to Stop Your Dog Barking When You Leave the House

Now you’ve got a good idea of what’s making your dog bark, you can start putting an end to it.

While you’re trying out the following methods, these 5 step by step calming exercises can help support and reassure your dog, making them more receptive to their benefits.

Wear Them Out

If your dog sees barking as a preferable alternative to boredom, introducing some distractions and a good amount of healthy exercise into their routine can work wonders.

Aim to give them a good, long walk before you leave the house. It’s likely they’ll be too worn out to waste their energy with barking.

Just in case they do feel the urge, leave out a few chew toys or puzzle games they can have some solo-fun with while you’re away.

Close Your Curtains

While it’s easy to think that looking out the window will keep your dog happy and entertained, it’s usually the reverse.

Too much of the wrong type of visual stimuli can be provoking: if your dog sees a bird making merry in the garden or a stranger strolling by, it could set off a fresh flurry of barks.

It may sound counterintuitive, but closing your curtains before you leave the house can be a big help when you’re dealing with a noisy dog, particularly if they have territorial traits.

Train Yourself in Counterconditioning

If your dog has a very mild case of separation anxiety, counterconditioning can help.

Counterconditioning is basically a process that will change an undesirable reaction into a desirable one. It’s achieved by teaching your dog to associate something they hate (in this case, you leaving the house) with something good (this could be a Kong stuffed with treats, a flavor-packed knotted rawhide bone, or a stuffed beef bone).

Make sure to only give your dog their special treat when you leave the house – if they have access to it when you’re around, the process won’t work.

Try a Desensitization Program

If your dog has a more severe case of separation anxiety, no amount of exercise or distractions will solve the problem.

In these cases, a more complex solution like desensitization is going to be needed. A desensitization program works by gradually getting your dog used to being alone.

Start by doing what you’d normally do before leaving the house (put your make up on, pack your bag, grab your keys, etc.). Then say a short, matter-of-fact goodbye to your dog. Leave for a brief period of time – a minute or two at most. If your dog doesn’t bark, return to the house and reward them with some gentle praise. If you hear them bark, give a short, sharp rap on the door before reentering.

Over time, gradually increase the length of time you’re away. Once you manage to make it to an hour or two without them barking, you’re on the home run.

Desensitization isn’t an easy process. Neither is it a short one. But give it time, and all your hard work will eventually pay off in style. While your dog is adapting to the process, remember to support them as much as you can with these 5 step by step calming exercises.

Establish Yourself as Pack Leader

If you’re playing deputy to your dog’s sheriff, it’s time to brush up on your leadership skills. Once you’ve established yourself as the pack leader, your dog will stop feeling responsible for you to the extent they can’t bear for you to leave their sight.

To assert your authority…

Don’t cave to their demands: Make your dog work for their rewards.

Control their feeding routine: When you place their food bowl down, only let them eat once you give them a cue.

Don’t walk around them: If your dog’s lying in your way, gently shuffle against them until they get up and move out of your path.

Make your entrances boring: The pack shows excitement when their leader returns. The leader keeps their enthusiasm under control. Keep your exits and entrances low key, and only greet your dog once they’ve settled down.

Final Thoughts

Treating excessive barking can be a complicated business.

If a dog barks from boredom, upping their exercise and keeping them supplied in toys and distractions might be all that’s needed.

But if the barking is the result of something more complex, a more complex solution is going to be required… one that’s going to need a bit more work before you see results.

In all cases, the barking is the symptom of a problem, rather than the problem itself. Find the root cause of the barking, and the barking will eventually take care of itself.

It may take a little while, but with patience and perseverance, you’ll get there.