I bet all dog owners have uttered the frustrated question “does this dog ever get tired of barking”? I mean seriously, a long day of work has been done, you want nothing more than to relax in front of the TV and yet your crazy-clawed buddy has other ideas. Almost from the minute your derrière hits that couch, the barking starts and goes on and on.
This article sets out to explore just why your dog is barking so incessantly and we also explore if dogs do ever get tired of barking. So, ask your dog to shush, and let’s look at the barking behavior of dogs.
Dogs can bark for an insane length of time. They don’t really tire from barking, but any incessant barking may need investigating. Some barking is to be expected in dogs, but relentless barking can be a sign of anxiety or stress. Daily barking for hours can cause damage to the dog’s larynx.
If your dog’s barking has spilled over into a more serious issue, then keep reading as we take a look at the problem in detail. We explore possible reasons for the barking and when action might be needed. We also look into the health implications for dogs who bark a lot.
Table of Contents
Dogs Barking – Do they ever get Tired?
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Our pooch just starts barking, perhaps at something exciting out the window, or perhaps at us for no apparent reason. Just how long can one dog bark for? A long time it seems! I think it’s fairly safe to say dogs don’t really ever get tired of barking.
However, a dog who is feeling tired may be less likely to bark much anyway. It’s a bit like humans, sometimes we just want to not talk and to just enjoy the peace – when our pooch lets us at least.
Why Is My Dog Barking So Much?
The golden question we all ask from time to time – just why is my dog barking? Sometimes the answer might be an obvious one that is visible such as someone walking past the window. I mean, that surely deserves an excited bark! Sometimes the cause can be harder to determine so we have put together all the possible reasons your dog might be barking.
- Being Protective – Your furry friend is simply doing the job its instincts tell it to. It’s their job as protectors to alert you of any movement outdoors.
- Needs to Potty – It may be that your dog simply needs the call of nature and barking is their way of informing you.
- I Want Attention – If you’ve been at work and not long home, you can’t blame your pooch for demanding some attention.
- Is It Walkies – Sometimes they bark to let you know they anticipate it’s almost walkies time? Dogs are incredibly tuned in to your routine and can pick up when you are preparing to go on walks.
- I’m A Bit Bored – Your dog might be barking through sheer boredom and might benefit from some yard or playtime. Dog’s love playing with their humans after all.
- Trigger Noises – Dogs hear a lot better than we do and they may bark as a response to a faraway noise. Maybe another dog in the block is barking or a car alarm is annoying them.
- Anxiety Issues – Sometimes, anxious dogs bark and it can be quite relentless at times. It’s their way of letting you know they are not happy and letting out their angst at the same time.
How Long Can a Dog Bark For?
The answer to this may be seemingly hours and sometimes the more you say “no”, the louder they get. There isn’t an answer to this question as each dog is different.
Dogs can bark for a long time without letting up but at the same time, incessant barking shouldn’t be considered normal behavior. If your dog barks for prolonged periods, then chances are something isn’t quite right.
How to Stop Relentless Barking
The trick here is to work out just what is causing the barking in the first place. If it’s something as simple as meeting their basic needs such as a walk or toilet break, then this is easy to sort.
The problems come if you can’t see any obvious reason for the barking. Good, clear training and commands should nip barking in the bud, especially if you start this early on. Rewarding good behavior and using positive reinforcement training can be beneficial too.
Can Barking Hurt my Dog?
The simple answer is yes, your dog can suffer some ill effects from barking too much. It puts a lot of strain on their throat and vocal cords and incessant barking can cause inflammation. Dogs who bark constantly may find they take a long time to recover and will sound hoarse. It sounds crazy but if they experience pain, they may bark even more to try and tell you which isn’t great news. Severe barking can damage the larynx which may need veterinary care.
We can’t go out and get a dog and expect it to never bark, that’s just not realistic at all. However, you do need to be aware of when barking is too much and is a behavioral issue. Your dog might benefit from an experienced dog trainer who can help to work out why the barking occurs.
Why Does My Dog Bark in The Yard?
Is your dog quiet as can be in the home but as noisy as can be as soon as it’s in the yard? This could be excitement at being let out and your dog recognizes yard time as playtime. They might be barking at outside stimuli such as birds, squirrels, or mice. They might bark just to say hey world, I’m here now.
If the barking occurs while they are in the yard and you are not then this might be their way of showing they are stressed. Stress-related barking can be relentless, and the dog sits in one spot and barks over and over. It’s much different from the excited barking because that should stop quite quickly. If you leave your dog in the yard while out and your neighbor tells you it barks constantly then this problem needs resolving for everyone’s sake.
Top Tips for Stopping Excessive Barking
- Lots Of Exercise – A tired dog is less likely to spend hours barking as it will be relaxed and happy. A dog with lots of pent-up energy is far more likely to bark.
- Give Plenty of Attention – Your dog loves you the most in all the world and thrives from daily interactions and conversation. Your dog is a part of your family and needs to be treated as such.
- Good Consistent Training – Dogs are intelligent and are keen to learn new things so use this to your advantage.
- Close the Drapes – If your dog barks while looking out the window then keep the blinds or drapes closed. Or keep them in a less exciting room while you aren’t there to supervise.
- Meet their Basic Needs – Before you go out make sure they’ve had time in the yard to go about their business.
- Leave the TV On – If you’ve established that barking is an anxious behavior then some background noise such as the tv or radio can help.