How to stop dog barking excessively - RSPCA expert advice

Your fluffy family member might be barking due to separation anxiety or because they are bored.

But if your dog’s barking is becoming an issue, the good news is there are steps to stop your pet from communicating loudly, as it can become a nuisance not just for you but for neighbours too.

To help you figure out why your dog could be barking so much, here is some advice from RSPCA pet welfare expert Dominika Jagoda that could be useful for you to know.

@hannahswift.xo Replying to @Rosie the Cavapoo 🐾🎀 This is how the timeout method works for us and our 8 month old cocker spaniel puppy when she won’t stop barking 🥲🥲 (oh the joys of having a teenage pup) #timeoutmethod #teenagepuppy #puppytips #puppyadvice #puppylife #puppylove #cockerspanielpuppy #showcockerspaniel #puppy #puppybarking ♬ original sound - hannahswift.xo

How to stop your dog from barking from separation anxiety

If your dog barks when you’re not around, they may be experiencing distress at being alone.

Separation anxiety can show in a number of ways, including barking. The difficulty is that if you’re not there, you’re not always aware of the issue, and this can mean it can go on for longer, causing more of a noise problem for neighbours.

However, you can train your dog to be left alone for periods of time without experiencing anxiety or distress - the key is to start small and build it up.

How do I get my dog to stop barking when scared?

Fear-related barking might happen if a dog is scared of someone approaching them or of another dog, or if they are trapped with no escape route and need help.

These barks are often deeper, and the dog may growl alongside - a defence mechanism to help mask their fear from a potential predator.

You can help by making sure you introduce your dogs to new four-legged pals and people slowly, and in a calm environment where your dog feels safe.

Provide plenty of reassurance and reward them if they stay calm.

Do dogs bark to warn you?

Some dogs bark as a warning or to protect their “territory” when they see the postman come to the door, or people passing by their home.

You can mitigate this by reducing access to windows or gardens, and having tasty treats or toys at hand as a distraction when people approach the house.

What kind of bark does your dog do? (Image: Mikkel Bigandt/Getty)

How to stop your dog barking from boredom

Dogs are intelligent, active and social animals - and even though they sleep for 12 to 14 hours a day, sometimes a walk or two each day won’t cut it. And much like children, when they get bored, they might moan about it.

Help keep your dog stimulated by taking them on sniffy walks and using enrichment-based toys like snuffle mats to keep their brains busy, as well as giving them a range of toys to play with.

Do dogs bark because they are excited?

In the same way we express our excitement by cheering or whooping, dogs express theirs with a bark.

Whether they’ve seen one of their friends and want to play, are excited by a new treat or toy, or they see a squirrel, it’s their way of telling us they’re happy and raring to go.

This type of barking is often quite high-pitched and accompanied by a wagging tail and perked up ears.

Once your dog starts whatever activity they’re excited by, their barking should quieten down.

Can you stop a dog from barking excessively?

If you’re looking for other ways to stop your dog from barking excessively and unnecessarily, RSCPA's Dominika recommends these three top tips to try:

• Establish a routine. Having a consistent daily routine in place for your dog, which includes meal times as well as play and exercise at roughly the same time each day, helps your dog to know what activities are going to happen and when. This may stop them barking to ask for attention, food or walks.

Do you think your dog barks a lot because it's scared? (Image: Getty)

• Find ways to help your dog feel calmer and more relaxed when they’re alone, like leaving a special toy, using a dog walker or dog sitter, or getting the help of a vet or ABTC registered behaviourist.
• Speak to an expert to try and find out what the cause of your dog’s barking is - they may have a different sounding bark for food, walks or fun. This can help you understand what’s causing their behaviour and take steps to resolve it.

How long can a dog bark legally in the UK?

Pet behaviour experts Kinship shared: “There is no legal definition of what qualifies as nuisance dog barking, but the volume, the time the barking typically happens and how long the barking carries on for will be taken into consideration. And once reported, a local council must investigate a dog noise nuisance complaint.”

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They added: “If the council do find the barking is a ‘nuisance’, they can send a warning letter and if the noise continues, serve the dog parent with a Noise Abatement Notice (or a Community Protection Notice).

“You then have 21 days to appeal the notice.

"But if the appeal is dismissed and the barking doesn’t stop, you can be prosecuted under the 1990 Environmental Protection Act because the noise interferes with the use or enjoyment of a home.”