What Is Considered Excessive Dog Barking?

Excessive barking is barking that interferes with the peace or comfort of a person. That may seem vague, but the truth is the amount of barking that will prompt action varies by location, so there is no hard and fast rule about how much or how loud barking must be to be considered excessive. If you’ve noticed your dog barking a lot or if neighbors have complained, it’s time to take action to try to stop the excessive barking.

Curbing Excessive Dog Barking

Dogs bark, so it’s not reasonable to expect them to stop barking entirely. Unfortunately, some people have neighbors who will call the landlord or summon animal control at the first sign of a “woof.” In that case, you’ll probably have to deal with your neighbor rather than the dog. If, however, you acknowledge the barking is a bit much, there are some things you can try to curb that excess barking:

• A Change of Scenery: If you normally crate your pet, try leaving them loose in a room. If you normally leave them outside, try leaving them inside.

• Exercise, Exercise, Exercise: A bored dog is often a barking dog. One way to alleviate boredom is to provide plenty of opportunities for exercise every day. This could be long walks, running off steam at the dog park, or spending a few hours at doggy daycare.

• Rule Out Anxiety: Anxiety is one very common reason for excessive barking, and it won’t get better on its own. In fact, if left untreated, it will likely get worse. If you think your dog is suffering from anxiety, see your vet or an animal behaviorist right away.

If you’ve received complaints, let the involved parties know that you are actively working on a solution. Excessive barking is a common reason people rehome their pets, but with the right help, most dogs’ excessive barking can be curbed.