Barking can be one of the most annoying and disruptive canine behaviors when it persists in inappropriate settings. Chronic barking, in fact, is one of the most common reasons owners cite when surrendering their dogs to shelters. While barking is certainly no reason to give up your best friend, the key to preventing barking lies in understanding why dogs bark. Also before you decide to adopt, you can research which dog breeds bark the most so that you can make a better decision when picking your pup. 

A History of Barks

Wolves, the ancestors of all domestic dogs, use a number of different sounds to communicate. While howling is by far the most well-known, wolves also growl, snarl, whimper, chirp, and make muted barks. Pups, or juvenile wolves, are the only wolves that make a sound that is similar to a dog's bark. Because many of the traits that humans desired while domesticating wolves, such as playfulness or friendliness to strangers, are considered juvenile traits, it is possible that barking is a general result of dogs' gradual infantilization during domestication. It is also possible that barking was specifically selected as a desirable trait for its value in alerting humans to danger.

Unfortunately, the reasons that barking emerged in modern dogs have not always translated well to the modern world. Dogs are great learners, however, and as long as you can identify the causes of your pooch's barking, you will be well on your way to a more peaceful home life. Here is a list of common causes and solutions:

1. Anxiety and Separation

If your dog seems to be barking when you are away, whether you are out of the house or simply in a different room, this may be a result of separation anxiety. Your pup is a pack animal that depends on regular social interaction to feel happy and safe. When you or other members of his pack are away, he is likely feeling grief and sadness that can cause barking or howling. General anxiety can also cause dogs to bark. When a new or foreboding stimulus is present, an animal may bark as an instinctive response to internal anxiety. Separation anxiety is difficult to treat, since by definition, it happens when you are away from home . 

2. Play and Excitement

Since canines often bark because of negative anxiety, it makes sense that positive excitement can also result in noisy vocalizations. Luckily, playful dogs are often receptive to learning new things. If your pup starts acting up while playing, simply offer a reward for calming down. Although this may seem like you are rewarding bad behavior, you should start to extend the time it takes between the cessation of barking and your treat reward. To make this training more effective, say "quiet" as you give a reward so that your pup starts to learn how to quiet down on cue.

3. Fear

You may notice that your pup tends to bark when surprised by sudden noises or unexpected guests. Because fear-barking stems from an arousal of the central nervous system, resulting in a mild to severe fight-or-flight response, it can be tough to train an animal while it is in this state. This is a situation where clicker training can be very helpful. After having your dog associate the clicker with a positive reward, put yourself between him and the source of fear. By doing this, you are basically saying, "I've got this one." When he calmly lies down, use the clicker and provide a reward. Eventually, he should eagerly lie down in anticipation of a well earned reward.

4. Territorial Defense

Dogs are territorial animals, and many will defend their turf instinctively unless taught otherwise. If territoriality is not a quality you desire in your pet, it can be lessened relatively easily. The first step to reducing territorial behavior is to reduce what the dog is able to detect. If he is normally kept in a chain link fence, for example, try using a wood fence to reduce his ability to see random pedestrians. Ethical corrective devices can also work for defensive behavior. Because these produce an aversive spray every time the dog barks, they are often consistent enough to quickly curtail problem barking.

5. Attention Seeking

Scientists have recently discovered that cats learn to meow in order to get their human's attention. The same can be said for certain types of barking. If your dog barks for attention, it is probably because you have inadvertently rewarded barking in the past. If, for example, you let him outside when he barks at the door, you are reinforcing this behavior. When dealing with attention seeking behavior, it is important that you stop providing your pet with what he wants whenever he uses barking to get it. If you want to accelerate the process of diminishing attention seeking behavior, an ethical corrective collar can be extremely effective. Since corrective collars let dogs know exactly what they are doing wrong, you won't have to sit through hours of barking in order for them to figure it out on their own.

While your dog is your best friend, you can also think of him as a growing child. No puppy is born knowing exactly how to behave in the complicated world of indoor life. When you understand what your best friend is trying to tell you, you can respond appropriately. Training should be a kind of conversation in which you make your expectations clear. Your pup is born eager to please you, and will respond enthusiastically if you do this right.