Unless you own an African Basenji or an Australian Dingo, chances are you may experience excessive barking from your dog. This is a common problem for many pet owners and one that can cause much disturbance. Frustration and embarrassment often occur when a beloved pooch just won’t shut up. In this article, we will discuss normal barking behaviors amongst dogs and what to do if your dog has an incessant bark.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON REASONS A DOG MAY BARK?

Dogs may bark for a plethora of reasons, but studies show there are several common causes that stimulate canine utterances. Barking is generally necessitated by a dog’s need or desire and can be categorized as follows:
DISTRESS OR APPREHENSION
Many dogs will bark repeatedly during situations in which they feel uneasy or frightened. The appearance of strangers or a possible injury may provoke uncontrollable barking.
PLAYFUL BARKING
At times of excitement or joy, a dog may express barking as a way of showing he or she is having a good time.
BARKING AT OTHER DOGS
There are times when it seems that one dog’s bark can be heard around the world. In a strange phenomenon, it is not uncommon that when one dog barks, a procession of barking can be heard circulating the neighborhood.
EMOTIONAL BARKING
When a dog feels lonely or stressed, they may use barking as a means of conveying to humans and other dogs that they are feeling upset.
Barking for the above mentioned reasons is completely natural for a dog. In normal conditions, most dogs will discontinue barking once the situation or circumstance has changed. With deviant barking behaviors, there seems to be no apparent stimuli for prolonged barking.
MY DOG WON’T STOP BARKING!
As a pet owner who struggles with a persistent barker, there are treatments which can deter or prevent the problem. While the humaneness of some remedies can be questioned, there is little doubt to their effectiveness.
CITRUS SPRAY
Modern science has found a way to safely interrupt excessive barking through the use of citrus. As dogs have an apparent dislike for the smell of citrus, special collars have been equipped to mist a dogs muzzle when it begins to bark. This has been proven fairly effective and causes no pain.
SHOCK COLLARS
A highly debatable method of deterrence for excessive barking is the use of shock collars. These neck bands use sudden jolts of electricity to modify negative behaviors in dogs. Usually controlled by the pet owner, with the push of a button an electric shock is administered to the dog’s neck.
DEBARKING SURGERY
This surgery is highly controversial as some feel that by removing a dog’s bark completely, it renders the dog almost incapable of communication. This in turn is believed to be a possible safety concern as well as an animal rights concern. In the procedure, tissues around the dog’s larynx are removed to prevent barking. Many feel that this method is pointless and cruel since the dogs bark often returns after a few months.
While these methods of modification may be a last resort, most pet owners will find that the best course of action is simply consistent training. Using reward and distraction may be all that is needed to end the eternal yap.