Introduction
In any neighborhood around the world, sooner or later a barking dog will be heard. Dogs communicate primarily through barking, and the intricate social life of a dog relies on this communication process. Barking at people is one of the ways in which a dog communicates, and today’s domesticated dogs inherited this behavior from their wild canine ancestors.
To answer the question of why dogs bark at people, we will need to go back tens of thousands of years ago when dogs lived in packs. While large packs of dogs had safety in numbers, wild dogs were still prey to attacks from other wild animals or even from another wild dog pack. Dog packs were continually on the move as well, and as a result they encountered constant dangers from other animals and dogs fighting for the same territory. In order to alert the pack to impending danger, dogs barked. Barking was also a way of defending one’s territory.
Why Dogs Bark at People
While today’s dogs are a far cry from their wild ancestors, they still retain many of the same behaviors and traits of wild dogs. As a result, dogs bark at people. Dogs do not differentiate between animals and people. People are simply one type of animal that could present a possible danger. When your dog barks, your dog is telling you that possible danger is near. Your dog is also telling the person "this is my place and I’m defending it so beware."
We may not always be appreciative of our dogs’ tendency to bark at people, but knowing why your dog is behaving this way may help you to understand what is going on inside your dog’s mind. If your dog’s habit of barking at people is causing problems, there are behavior modification techniques you can use to help stem your dog’s natural tendency to bark at people.
Causes of Excessive Barking
Dogs which bark excessively are often over reactive to any noise or sight stimulations. A passing car, a bee flying through the yard, even a plane way up in the sky can cause a never ending barking episode; once the ‘danger’ has passed the dog finds something else to bark at. Dogs which have sensitivities to outside stimulation are often either suffering from boredom or anxiety. Bored dogs may also have other behavior problems such as destructive behavior; anxious dogs may shake and tremble, chew on their paws, and engage in compulsive disorders such as circling and pacing.
The other main cause of excessive barking is barking that is a result of a physical problem. The dog may be suffering from a painful condition, or may be suffering from a neurological disorder. These conditions can be difficult to diagnose, but normally this type of barking will appear suddenly; it is not a normal trait of the dog.
If your dog is barking excessively it is important to identify the cause. A thorough examination by a veterinarian is warranted. If no physical problems in the dog are identified, than behavioral traits which are contributing to the excessive barking need to be addressed. Dogs which are bored need more toys, more walks, and more tender loving care. Anxious dogs may need to undergo a corrective behavioral program, and in severe cases they may need to be put on anti-anxiety medications.