Why Dogs Bark - When Barking is More Than Barking

For those who know me, it will be no surprise that I’m not a massive fan of barking dogs.

But why, Carina? Dog barking is a natural behaviour, you say. You sound anti-dog!

Hear me out. I’m not speaking about all vocalizations but those that occur in specific situations. 

There are three primary reasons why dogs bark. Most often, it’s a combination:

• Fear
• Frustration
• Over-arousal

“Barking has been shown to be context-dependent, and provides information for humans about the inner state of the dog….”, Barking in Dogs: An Ethological Approach

Barking can become an infectious habit. Once they use barking as a strategy, it will often pop up in all areas where they feel over-aroused, fearful, or frustrated. Unfortunately, barking begets more barking. 

“Bark, bark, bark…Squirrel!” 

“Bark, bark, bark…Someone’s at the door!”

“Bark, bark, bark…I want those dinner scraps, now!”

Dogs don’t seem to make good decisions when they bark and often go hand in hand with other behaviours that can get them into trouble:

• Biting, nipping, grabbing
• Jumping, lunging, pulling
• Prey drive, bumping, fence running

In short, the bark tells me that other behaviours might be imminent. Oh boy. 

The problems with barking have also created a heated debate over dog noise in Toronto dog parks, Edward Keenen, The Toronto Star

Here are some specific situations that can happen in a dog park:

• Max begins to bark at Snowball, who shows they do not wish to play by turning away. Max starts to bounce and bark around Snowball, clearly showing frustration. Snowball is deferring. Max’s behaviour escalates to nipping Snowball, who then yelps in pain.  

People seem to describe those initial barks as ‘excitement,’ with an attached positive feeling that is a normal dog thing. However, I would argue that it is over-arousal based on frustration. Now the barking has tipped over into a complex behavioural chain that ends in nipping that will most likely repeat itself.

Frequently, those dogs get labeled as bullies. It’s horrifying if you are the dog’s human. It would have been so much easier to say, ‘Max is frustrated and needs help’ right at the first bark to stop the chain from occurring. 

• Jellybean is hanging out with her besties in the small dog park. Jellybean is known as the park greeter because she barks toward the gate when someone new enters the park. One day, a person came inside and bent down to pet her. Jellybean bites them. 

Again, people often attribute the barking to excitement when this is a clear case of overarousal based on fear. If we reframe the barking as “the dog is scared of the stranger” instead of “park greeter,” you will see the barking comes from a place of underconfidence rather than being sure of themselves. Managing the barking and teaching new feelings associated with it is the first step to helping Jellybean feel better about people entering the park. 

Watch the Doorbell video below to understand how I often start the process:

Occasionally I will teach a service dog to alert bark or train a dog to bark for a film/commercial. But even then, I’m cautious and mindful, and the cues are clear.

Do I hate barking? No, not really. 

But it does put me on notice.

I’m GRATEFUL for the barking as a clear tell that my dog is not okay and needs my help and support. The aim is to teach alternative ways of feeling, thinking, and doing so you can have joyful experiences with your dog at home or when you are out and about. 

Here is a FREE resource called "Doorbell Game" that you can play with your dog

Get Access To The Doorbell Game