{"id":1334,"date":"2019-08-28T16:10:35","date_gmt":"2019-08-28T16:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/?p=1334"},"modified":"2019-08-28T16:10:35","modified_gmt":"2019-08-28T16:10:35","slug":"dog-barking-decoded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animalmedical.net\/blog\/dog-barking-decoded\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Barking Decoded"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you have a talkative dog, you may have found yourself wondering (or yelling), \u201cWhat the heck is all that barking about?\u201d Animal Medical Hospital & Urgent Care<\/a> knows that all that yapping can be a little annoying at times, but dog barking is actually a very important part of being canine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Purpose of Dog Barking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A dog barking is just as natural as a human talking. Dog barking is one way that our canid friends communicate with us and each other. Different barks and sounds mean different things. 
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If your dog is barking a lot, chances are they are trying to communicate one of the following:
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Fear \u2013 <\/strong>If your pet is scared or startled, barking may be his way of letting you and others around them know that. Removing the scary stimulus and consoling your pet can often fix this cause of extra noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ownership \u2013 <\/strong>Dogs may be protective of certain objects, places, or even people. The more threatening an imposing person or animal is, the louder and more aggressive the barking becomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boredom \u2013 <\/strong>Pets who are left alone for long periods without stimulation may bark. Adding interaction and activity into these social creature\u2019s days can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playfulness \u2013 <\/strong>If your pet\u2019s tail is wagging and body language is energetic, she may be trying to tell you she is happy or needs something. Many dogs will also bark when they wish to initiate play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anxiety \u2013 <\/strong>Barking accompanied by destructive behavior, house-soiling, or agitated body language can indicate a problem. Call us <\/a>for a behavior consultation<\/a> if your think your pet may be experiencing separation anxiety or other compulsive or anxiety-related behaviors<\/a>. 
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How to Live in Harmony<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An incessantly barking dog is the equivalent of having a roommate who never stops talking. While barking (and talking) are very natural, too much of a good thing is no fun.
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Thankfully, most cases of excessive dog barking can be rectified. Firstly, taking the time to identify what your pooch is trying to tell you can be invaluable. Is he feeling threatened that the cat might eat his food? Upset that the neighbor is in the backyard? A little in the doldrums because she hasn\u2019t been to doggy daycare this week? Many things have an easy fix. 
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Beyond that, a little training goes a long way. Use the following tips to decrease unwanted dog barking:
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