How to stop my dog from excessive barking?

Dogs may bark for many reasons including when calling out to other dogs, when bored, afraid, anxious or when protecting their territory or trying to gain attention from their owners. They may also bark when hungry or when they need to go out.

Excessive barking is irritating and can upset your neighbors. Most people can put up with short barking but when it continues non-stop, it becomes annoying.

Why do dogs bark excessively?

According to the ASPCA, excessive barking usually falls into a few common categories: territorial or alarm barking (responding to people or animals near the home), attention-seeking barking (to get food, play or affection), barking driven by fear or anxiety, and separation-related barking that happens when a dog is left alone. The Cornell Riney Canine Health Center also notes that some excessive barking has a medical cause, such as pain, sensory decline, or age-related cognitive changes, so it is worth ruling out a health issue before assuming the barking is purely behavioral.

So what should you do if your dog is barking excessively?

1. Don’t encourage bad behavior

Don’t encourage your dog when he is barking by asking ‘what happened?’ in an excited voice. The ASPCA recommends ignoring attention-seeking barking and avoiding touching or talking to your dog while he’s barking, or he may end up regarding it as praise.

2. Don’t leave the dog alone for long

You need to also make sure that the dog is not left alone for long periods of time. Dogs are pack animals and enjoy being with others. If they are left alone for long they express their anxiety and unhappiness by barking – the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center identifies this as separation-related barking, which is often paired with other signs of distress such as pacing or destructive behavior.

If you must leave the dog alone, keep the radio on, so that dog gets to hear familiar sounds.

3. Reward good behavior

If the dog barks while you are around, you can say “down” and “be quiet” in a firm and calm voice. It is difficult for the dog to bark when he is lying down. If the dog obeys, make sure to reward him with a treat or physical contact. The dog needs to understand that there is a reward for lying down and being quiet. With repetition, the dog will soon understand that barking will not get him any reward. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior notes that reward-based methods like this are both safer and at least as effective as punishment-based approaches.

4. Deal with the source of the problem

Find out what is triggering the barking in your dog. For example your dog may be looking out of the window and barking at other animals or people walking by. If this is the case then pulling up the curtain or moving your dog to another part of the house may solve the problem. The ASPCA recommends this kind of management alongside gradual desensitization to the trigger when it can’t simply be removed.

5. Tire your dog out

Ensure that your dog gets plenty of exercise, both physical and mental, throughout the day. A tired dog is less likely to bark out of boredom. Go for long walks with your dog, use interactive toys, play chase etc to keep your dog active. The Cornell Riney Canine Health Center lists adequate physical and mental exercise as a key part of managing boredom-related barking.

6. Seek professional help

Consulting your vet will help to see if your dog has a health issue which is causing him bark excessively. If the dog is barking due to pain for instance, your vet will be able to prescribe a pain killer and also treat the health condition which is causing the problem. This is especially important in senior dogs, since increased and sometimes random vocalizing can be an early sign of canine cognitive dysfunction (dog dementia), which a vet can help diagnose and manage.

If the dog is barking due to a behavior issue, you can consult a dog trainer and develop a training plan to correct the problem. Following the plan consistently will help to modify the wrong behavior and help your dog to adjust well to its surroundings.

Things to avoid

• Don’t shout at your dog as it may just encourage your dog to continue barking
• Don’t hit your dog or use devices that shock the dog as it is unkind and can lead to other problems – the AVSAB states there is no evidence that aversive methods work better than reward-based training, and they carry a real risk of increasing fear and anxiety
• Be cautious with anti-bark devices such as shock or citronella spray collars – a peer-reviewed study found mixed effectiveness even for citronella collars, and they don’t address the underlying reason your dog is barking

In my experience, the hardest part of dealing with excessive barking is not the training itself — it is staying consistent when you are tired and your dog is going off at 11pm because a cat walked past the window. The temptation to just give in and let the dog inside to stop the noise is enormous. But that is exactly the moment that matters most. Every time you give in, you are teaching your dog that barking works.

What helped me most was having a clear plan before the barking started, not scrambling to respond once it was already underway. I would decide in advance: if the dog barks at the fence, I will redirect with a quiet cue and reward the first moment of silence. Having that mental script ready meant I was not making decisions under pressure, and my responses were far more consistent as a result. Dogs read inconsistency immediately, and barking is one of the areas where that inconsistency costs you the most ground.

One more thing worth saying: if your dog suddenly starts barking excessively when they were previously settled, get a vet check before launching into a training programme. Pain, cognitive decline in older dogs, and anxiety disorders can all show up as increased vocalisation, and no amount of positive reinforcement will solve a medical problem. Rule that out first, then work on the behaviour.

For the complete overview of everything covered in this guide, visit our complete dog training guide.

You may also find our post on how to Stop a Dog from Barking at Night helpful.

Why Does Excessive Barking Happen? Quick Summary

Excessive barking is rarely random — it is always communication. Before you can stop excessive barking effectively, you need to identify the trigger: is it boredom, fear, territorial behaviour, or separation anxiety? Each cause requires a different approach, but the underlying training principles are the same: consistency, calm redirection, and reinforcing quiet behaviour.

At what age does excessive barking start in dogs?

Excessive barking can begin as early as 8–10 weeks, particularly in breeds prone to vocalisation. However, it often becomes a problem between 6 months and 2 years as the dog develops confidence and territory awareness. Early training is far more effective than trying to correct excessive barking once it becomes a deeply ingrained habit.

Can excessive barking be completely stopped?

In most cases, yes — excessive barking can be significantly reduced or eliminated with the right combination of exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent training. Dogs that bark from boredom or under-stimulation respond fastest. Dogs whose excessive barking is rooted in anxiety may need a more gradual desensitisation programme, sometimes with veterinary support.

This article is written for informational purposes and reflects the personal experience and research of the author. It does not replace professional veterinary or dog training advice. Always consult your veterinarian or a certified trainer for individual guidance.