This post may contain affiliate links, or we may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post. For more information on this, please visit our legal page.
If you have a new puppy that is barking a lot, it can be quite concerning because it can mean a variety of things. As a loving owner, you want to get to the bottom of it so that you can ensure that your dog is comfortable, happy, and feels safe. But where do you begin? Obviously, you can’t read your dog’s mind to tell why it’s barking.
Thankfully, there are several typical reasons why your dog might be barking a lot. This behavior has been studied extensively, but it isn’t an exact science.
We’ve taken the time to compile a list of reasons why your dog might be barking, and we’ve even thrown in some tips to help you remedy the problem if possible.
Why Is My Dog Barking?
There are a wide variety of reasons that your dog could be barking, but some are more typical than others. Here are some of the most common reasons why your puppy is barking a lot.
1. Separation Anxiety
Your dog could be barking because it has separation anxiety. This occurs when dogs become anxious or stressed when they are not near their owner or other dogs.
Generally, you’re going to find out about this kind of barking when you return from work because your neighbors will likely call or come over to complain about the noise. Separation anxiety is most certainly curable, but it can be difficult to deal with in the meantime. Here is a great article on dealing with separation anxiety in puppies.
2. Playing
Sometimes, dogs bark for silly reasons. They could be barking at you or another dog simply because they want to play, and that is how they express it. You should be able to tell the difference between a dog that is barking under stress and one that is barking for fun.
3. Defense Mechanism
Dogs can bark for fun, but they can also bark when they sense or see danger. If your dog appears to be on high alert, is pacing, and barking at you as if to alert you, you might want to check your surroundings and ensure that you are safe.
Dogs are usually much better at detecting dangerous situations earlier than we are, and they have very sensitive hearing.
Ways to Help Your Puppy Stop Barking
There are a number of ways that you can curb excessive barking behavior in dogs. Most of the time, the easiest solution is going to be to put them at ease if they are under stress.
There are multiple ways that you can help do this, but the easiest and most effective is to talk to them very calmly and pet them slowly. You can help lower their stress level by being calm and not yelling back. Dogs are sometimes like children, and you just need to have patience.
Recap: Why Your Puppy is Barking
There is a wide range of reasons that your puppy is barking, but the most important thing to know is that you are their family and you should be patient when trying to determine what the cause. Always remember to talk slow and calmly when you are dealing with your dog.
