True story… I went through a phase a few years back where whenever I entered the room I was greeted by my puppy barking at me.
And when I say barks, I’m talking about high pitched, non-stop barking. The kind of barking that made me want to curl up into a ball and cover my ears.
Now, barking can be innocent enough, but a puppy that doesn’t know the meaning of quiet time can be a menace.
For a start, there’s the problem of the neighbors. Few people appreciate being woken up at 5 am every morning to the sound of howls.
Then there’s your own sanity to consider. Listening to your puppy barking up a storm every walking moment can drive you to distraction sooner than you know.
Ultimately, barking is natural. It’s how dogs communicate.
Puppies bark during games, when they greet you, and when they spot something strange. But there’s a huge and vital difference between an occasional barker and one that never stops.
Eliminating barking altogether is never going to happen.. and truthfully, it shouldn’t be the end goal.
Trying to stop a dog from ever barking again is the equivalent of trying to convince a kid to take a vow of silence. It’s not desirable, and it ain’t gonna happen either way.
But figuring out a way to stop excessive barking is another thing entirely. Not only is it desirable, but it’s also doable.
Teaching your puppy the difference between appropriate barking and problem barking is well within the realms of possibility, even if you’re new to the wonders of training.
Before we launch into the reasons and solutions for problematic barking, a quick tip for you. Your puppy is about to get the benefit of some training. Make it worth the effort.
Trying to get an overexcited, hyperactive puppy to sit up and pay attention is a drain. Before you start getting down to any serious business, dial down the excitement.
These 5 step-by-step calming exercises from the Online Dog Trainer, Doggy Dan, will teach your puppy how to get a handle on their emotions. (see video below)
Better yet, they’ll put them in exactly the right frame of mind for training.
Check it out – you’re going to find it an invaluable resource as you start to progress with training.
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Why Do Puppies Bark?
As sure as eggs are eggs, puppies are going to bark.
It’s their most basic form of communication. It’s how they say hello, how they let you know they’re excited, and how they alert you to something they feel you should know about.
Whether that’s a suspicious-looking intruder in the yard or a very noteworthy leaf on the ground.
But what does it mean when your puppy never shuts up? When they bark for reasons you can’t seem to explain?
Ultimately, all puppies are unique. That said, some of the most common explanations for barking include…
Aggression
Next time your puppy launches into a fit of barking, check out their body language.
Are they snarling or growling? Are they curling their lip and exposing their teeth? Are they standing with a rigid posture and fixing you with a death stare?
If they are, all that barking could be a sign of aggression.
In these kinds of cases, it’s vital to take note of what’s happening in a wider context so you can identify the trigger of the aggression.
Has a stranger just turned up unannounced? Have you approached them as they’re playing with a toy or eating a snack? Has another dog entered the scene?
The sooner you can work out what’s triggering your dog’s behavior, the sooner you can get to work modifying it.
Sounding the Alert
Dogs don’t exactly think us humans are dumb. However, they do feel that our awareness of what’s happening around us is a bit …lacking.
Or at least in need of a helping hand.
So, if they spot anything worthy of attention, they feel duty-bound to give us a heads-up.
Because, obviously, how else are we to know there’s a squirrel in the yard or a snowflake in the sky if they don’t tell us?
Excitement
Even older dogs are liable to get a bit over-excited at times. In puppies, the tendency is even more pronounced.
A routine walk around the block might be boring for you, but for your pup, it’s an adventure.
When even the smallest, most insignificant thing is super-duper awesome to them, it’s little wonder they lose control and start letting loose with the barks.
Boredom
Puppies might need lots of sleep, but when they’re not napping, they expect to be entertained.
If they aren’t given the mental and physical stimulation they need. They’ll find new ways to burn off their pent-up energy… ways you’re not necessarily going to like.
If the worst your bored puppy does is bark, count yourself lucky.
Possessiveness
Puppies might be small, but they’re capable of feeling some very grown-up emotions, including possessiveness.
If they’ve attributed a high value to their food, toys, or even a person. They can get very upset whenever something comes between them and it.
Resource guarding is a natural but undesirable behavior that requires early intervention. Left unchecked, it can quickly become a serious problem.
Pain
Puppies get up to all kinds of high jinx. Most of the time, they escape unscathed. But not always.
If your puppy suddenly starts barking out of the blue, and if the barking is accompanied by any other out-of-character behaviors, they may be injured or in pain.
So Why Is My Puppy Specifically Barking At Me?
So far, we’ve looked at some of the reasons puppies bark in general. But what if your puppy only ever barks at you?
Should you be honored they reserve all their attentions for you? Or worried?
To find out, consider the following explanations. Do any trigger a lightbulb moment?
You’ve Encouraged Their Behavior
Think about how you react to your puppy’s barks. Do you try and distract them with toys, treats, or extra attention?
If you do, you might inadvertently have made the problem worse.
If your puppy learns that barking at you gets them some kind of reward, they’re going to keep doing it.
They Need Something From You
If you’re the primary source of your dog’s entertainment, food, or walks, then it’s only natural that they seek you out whenever they’re in need of one or the other.
It’s the same with families – kids don’t bother hitting up their brother or sister for pocket money or snacks. They head straight to mom and dad.
Think about when the barking starts. Is it usually just before mealtimes or walks? If it is, you might have found your explanation.
They Want Your Attention
If your dog is used to getting your attention but suddenly feels deprived of it. They might start barking to alert you to their disapproval.
If you end up giving them what they want, they’ll soon get into the habit of demand barking whenever they feel you’re not behaving as they’d like.
Related Post: What To Do If Your Dog Constantly Wants Attention
How To Stop A Puppy Barking Excessively
Puppies don’t bark for no reason whatsoever. Even occasional, acceptable barks have their explanations.
Spend some time figuring out what’s triggering your pup’s excessive barking. Once you’ve done that, you can start moving forward in a positive way.
Regardless of the motivation for your dog’s behavior, and regardless of what method you ultimately use to modify it. I’d recommend introducing these 5 step-by-step calming exercises into your routine.
Not only will they help your puppy learn how to control their emotions (a crucial element in controlling barking rooted in excitement, hyperactivity, and anxiety). They’ll also put them in a calm, focused state-of-mind that’s ideal for training.
As for the other methods you can try, here are a few to get you started…
Check In With Your Vet
If your puppy’s behavior seems to have arisen out of the blue, and if it’s accompanied by any other out-of-character behaviors, get them checked over by a vet before anything else.
Although it’s unlikely, they may be suffering an injury or illness that’s causing them to bark out of pain or frustration.
Reward the Quiet Times
If a puppy is demand barking, registering the behavior is a bad idea.
Attention, whether positive or negative, is what they want. Giving it to them rewards the behavior and encourages them to repeat it.
So go the opposite way. Ignore them.
Wait until they’ve stopped barking to take a breath. As soon as they do, give them a verbal cue like ‘Quiet’ and reward them with a treat.
Once they learn to associate good behavior with treats and barking with nothing, they’ll soon start seeing silence as golden.
Set an Example
A dog that doesn’t shut up is frustrating. But try to keep your cool.
If you start adding your own shouts and yells into the mix, your dog will think they’re in a competition to see who can bark the loudest.
Hard though it is, keep your own voice down and stay on top of your emotions.
Remember, your puppy is still learning. Set the right example, and there’s a good chance they’ll follow your lead.
Meet Their Needs
A dog needs more than food, water, and a warm bed to sleep in. They need to be stimulated, both mentally and physically.
A dog that’s bored and frustrated will look for new outlets for their energy… and yes, that means exercising their vocal cords at each and every opportunity.
Get in there first by introducing plenty of exercise into their day. As well as walks, try to make as much time as possible for games.
Interactive puzzle games designed for young dogs are a great way to keep their minds busy, while treat based toys like Kongs are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
Introduce Relaxation Techniques
High energy pups need to learn to chill. Dial down their excitement with relaxing music, soothing massages, or even aromatherapy.
Make relaxation training part of their normal routine. Remember those 5 step-by-step calming exercises I introduced you to earlier? Now’s the time to use them.
Create a Daily Routine
If there’s one thing dog’s really, really like, it’s a routine.
It might sound boring, but introducing some structure to your day sets a great foundation for your pup.
If your dog tends to bark because they want to be fed, walked, etc., Then providing those things at the same time each day can lessen the problem by letting them know exactly when to expect them.
Be Consistent
Regardless of what behavior modification technique you use, be consistent with it.
Using it on Monday but forgetting to do it again till Friday won’t work. If you want to move forward in a positive direction, consistency is key.
Applying certain rules today and another set of rules tomorrow will just leave your dog confused and as prone to barking as ever.
Treat the Trigger
If your dog’s an alert barker, try to address the situations that occur most regularly.
Say your dog barks each time the mailman arrives.
Enlist the help of the mailman and ask them to feed your pup a treat when they’re drawing a breath between barks.
Over time, your dog will replace any negative associations it has about the mailman with positive ones.
The same counterconditioning technique can be used if your dog barks at other dogs, strangers, and various other triggers.
Final Thoughts
Excessive barking isn’t much fun to deal with. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can treat the problem before it escalates further.
As with all things puppy related, remember to be consistent with how you manage the behavior.
If you punish it one day and ignore it the next, your puppy will get confused.
But most of all, remember that your puppy is still young. They’re learning, testing out their limits, and soaking up new skills.
What you do now plays a crucial role in their development.
Avoid any forms of corrective punishment and stick to kindness and positive reinforcement. It’ll be more beneficial for your puppy and more beneficial for the adult dog they become.
