Dog owners: How much barking is too much?
Yes, dogs bark. It’s one way that they communicate. They can’t speak so they bark. Some dogs barely ever bark and some bark 24/7.
I understand all this…..but where do you draw the line?
Do you think it is annoying when dogs bark out of nowhere to get attention or is it CUTE?
My dog barks when he wants to be let outside or wants to come back in, and if I’m late to feed him. He also barks if he hears someone coming towards the house (although he cries wolf a lot, I’m okay with that).
There are some dogs I know that bark at every….single….sign of life. A door opening, a voice on the speakerphone, a car door a block away from the house being shut.
I’ll admit I never taught my dog the “quiet” command but do certain dogs need to be taught this?
It’s not my dog that is barking…..it’s these dogs that I’m dogsitting.
You guys are right….dogs barking at night, especially outdoor ones (which is probably why they bark anyways), is a problem. Especially in a neighborhood like mine where EVERYONE leaves their dogs outside. Once one dog barks, they aaall start.
I don’t entirely agree that dogs only bark because they are uncomfortable or are protecting their turf. Haven’t you ever had a dog bark merely to get attention?
Adelaida
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Katherine
if they annoy neighbours the owners should be fined £300
January 23rd, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Wanita
when the neighbors are yelling out the window at night…##**8@@$$* !!!!!!!
January 26th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Ed
My dog barks when he hears other dogs that seem to scream out some sort of cuss words (hehe), but other than that he rarely barks.
He whimpers when he needs to ‘go’, or growls at people he doesn’t seem to like, but that’s it.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Hyo
Too much barking…the moment they start!
January 29th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Edison
My dog barks when she plays. It’s very cute. It gets more intense when she’s tired, so if she doesn’t respond to my instructions to chill out (after I’ve had my fill,) I put her in her pen, and she goes right to sleep.
January 30th, 2010 at 3:04 am
Creola
Yes! I wish I could teach my dogs a quiet command we have three and two of them bark at EVERYTHING!!!! It’s so annoying I have to yell at the top of my lungs to get them to shut up!
January 31st, 2010 at 9:07 am
Tyrell
well if your posting it on here as a question, than I believe you already have had enough. Give your dog a bite of peanut butter he will like it and it will keep his mouth closed for awhile, cause he will be licking his chops for an hour afterwards
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:09 am
Arcelia
My on personal opinion yes
I taught my dog the quiet rule and it works. somewhat
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:36 am
Hugo
Some breeds are more yappy than others. Too much barking is often a sign of boredom, nervousness, loneliness, and fear. My Mom breeds Mini-Schnauzers. They usually only bark a couple of times if they want out, in or someone is approaching the house. However, this month, Mom moved, and with a new house and territory, new noisy neighbors and the whole bit, the dog have gotten really barky. They bark at every noise, cause its a strange place, they don’t recognize alot of the sounds, smells and people. And they are not quite comfy with their new territory. Over the last couple of weeks, they have gotten better as they get used to the new neighborhood. I’m sure soon enough they Will settle down.
There is certainly such a thing as too much barking, like when it wakes up the baby across the street. Please folks, don’t keep your dog outside at night if he barks.
And yes, some dogs need to learn the “quiet”r “shush” command, its a handy thing to teach all puppies, just in case.
February 5th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Armando
Dogs do not simply bark. I believe that dogs listening power are greater than that of humans. They will only bark when they do not feel comfortable. It might lead to howling. If the dog does howl, then you can be well aware that there is some unseen spirits nearby. You can try putting an umbrella near to a dog. This can stop the howling. No scientific proof, but if you have a dog, you can try.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:40 am
Chi
at night some times my cocker will go out to just watch the yard and sometimes a coon will be in the yard and he will tree it. or a racoon or a beaver when he barks i go nuts to stop him from barking this is at night.if a neighbors dog barks more then 6 to 8 times i get pissed keep the dog in at night i tell them one time I recored the dog barking and after they were in bed i replayed it back to themon a 100 watt 12 in speaker when they called me and told me to shut up my dog this is your dogs voice so how do you like when it’s in your face dog is in at night now
February 10th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Luanne
From 1 dog owner to another dog owner. ALL dogs should be trained to use the bark. the dog should be trained to use his bark for getting your attention either for a meal, or go outside, alert you that someone is at the door and emergencies. They should not be allowed to bark at other dogs or cats, other people going by your apartment or up and down stairs. They can be taught this at any age. The reason they bark is to establish their turf, this is not except-able behavior when the dog lives in an apartment doweling. You might think about going to a pet store and get a book on dog training.. I hope this helps you… Good Luck…
February 14th, 2010 at 2:22 am
Leola
It’s too much when your neighbours become cheesed off at you or when the dog is barking at nothing just for the sake of it
February 15th, 2010 at 4:58 am
Stephine
In my ideal world, my dog would bark as someone approaches the house until I say “ok Scout that’s enough” and then she would happily sit back down knowing I am aware of the situation.
In reality, she rarely barks when someone approaches the house, and as they open the door and enter she sits there smiling away looking at them (silently). However, when a person 15 houses down says something, she somehow hears it and feels the need to sound the alarms. She usually stops after I’ve asked, begged, and reasoned with her for 2 minutes.