Why do some dog bark louder than others? Your neighbor’s canine may bark nonstop while he is away, but your own dog might bark at any breeze, shadow, or whisper. There are also dogs who never make a sound.
It’s possible to love your dog without condition, but having a dog who barks constantly can be a little exhausting. Nobody likes to wake up in the middle night to the sound of a dog barking, especially when it seems that there is no rhyme or reason.
What causes a dog to be more vocal than others? Three factors could be responsible for a loud household.
Genes and breed-specific characteristics
The genetics of a dog and its breeding can have a significant impact on the tendency to bark.
Stefanie Schwartz, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist based in Orange County, California says that the frequency of a dog’s barking can vary from breed to breed and it all depends on how their ancestors were bred. Stefanie Schwarz, a certified veterinary behaviorist in Orange County California, says that the amount of barking a dog produces can differ from one breed to another, depending on their breeding.
Schwartz says that some breeds have a higher level of barking than others. She says that the trait may have been “selected” by our ancestors in order to guard human settlements.
Not all dogs that bark will necessarily be loud. Terriers, for example, tend to be louder. According to Dr. Schwartz, not all terriers bark excessively. According to Dr. Schwartz, Nordic, and Husky breeds howl louder than other dogs, while most Basenji does not bark.
Environmental Factors
The dogs will respond to unexpected sounds (like the knock on the door), as well as those they haven’t heard before.
A dog raised in an urban area where noise is constant will be more likely to not bark. A dog raised in quiet rural areas may be more likely to bark.
According to Dr. Schwartz, “A city dog would not react to sirens (police, ambulance) as they become part of the noise in their environment, unlike a dog who lives on a farm where it is quieter.
Unintentional Rewards for Dog Barking
Schwartz says that some dogs will learn to bark in order to get attention, regardless of their breed. Dr. Schwartz says, “Barking occurs when a dog’s needs are not met.”
It comes down to rewarding the dog for doing something, says Dr. Katie Malehorn, DVM, a staff vet at Friendship Hospital for Animals, in Washington, D.C. Dogs will continue to do things if you reward them for it.
Many owners may pay more attention to the dog when he’s barking–accidentally rewarding him for the behavior, says Khara Schuetzner, a certified professional dog trainer and owner of The Doggie Spot based in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Dr. Schwartz used the example of a woman who, by giving her dog treats every time it barked and thereby satisfying his food needs while also receiving attention from him, accidentally trained him to beg.
How to stop dogs from barking so much
Find out what is causing your dog to bark.
Dr. Schwartz says that it is important to identify the causes of dog barking. After you identify the trigger, it is best to consult a veterinarian and dog trainer (or behaviorist). They can help guide your dog to more positive behaviors.
You will have to be patient, says Dr. Malehorn. Dog owners will often wait until the problem becomes serious before they seek assistance or begin to address excessive barking. It will take some time and consistency, as well as a solid training program, to change the behavior.