How to Stop Your Dog From Barking When Left Alone
No dog owner wants their dog to bark excessively while they are home alone and this is an even bigger concern if you happen to live in an apartment or townhome. They may bark when they hear sirens, if a package is delivered, or any number of other things. But what can you do to quiet your dog if you aren’t home? Luckily there are several things to try that might help.
Finding out the cause of your dog’s barking can be a big step in preventing it in the future. If you don’t already have a security camera, you can purchase a simple “doggy cam” online. Most of these have a feature where you can either record, or access live feeds from your phone, or both. You can use this to see if there is something specifically “triggering” your dog to bark, or if they are just bored. It is common for dogs to bark during the day for various reasons, this is why there are so many options for deterring the barking. We have listed our preferred options below.
- Exercise. A tired dog is usually a quiet dog. Making sure your dog has plenty of exercise can help keep them calm while you are away. A long walk or jog, or a trip to the dog park can help expel their extra energy so that they mostly sleep when you aren’t home. If you aren’t able to take them for extra exercise, you might consider hiring a dog walker during the day to take them for a walk. We are available any time of day to help you exercise your pet and offer a few options for how long you would like your dog to be walked.
- Toys. Giving your dog a “puzzle” or toys to occupy their time with can help, especially when combined with more exercise. Most dogs exhibit destructive or unwelcome behaviors because they are bored. Your local pet store will have multiple options, like a kong or a treat puzzle.
- Calming Treats. Your veterinarian can help you find a calming aid if your pet struggles with anxiety while you are not home. The choices for a calming aid can vary greatly, and it is important to ensure the dosage and ingredients are safe for your dog.
- Familiar Sounds. Leaving on a radio or tv can help distract your dog from noises outside of your home. You can even combine this with a fan if necessary. Some streaming devices even have options just for dogs.
- Citronella Collars. These collars emit a spray of citronella when your dog barks. Please consult with your veterinarian before using this, and test it while you are with your dog to be sure they do not have any allergies to the ingredients. If it can be used safely with your dog, it can help deter their barking through negative reinforcement. They will quickly learn that barking causes it to spray.
- Anti-Barking Devices. This is an excellent option if toys and more exercise aren’t helping. These come as a remote or as a stationary item – some are shaped like little houses or a small black box. When they detect barking, they emit a high pitched sound that only dogs can hear. This works similarly to an anti-bark collar in that the noise deters the dog from more barking and over time will lead to less barking overall.
- Anti-Bark Collar. This should be used as a last resort, but can help. We only recommend getting a collar that vibrates or beeps, definitely not one that will harm your dog. These should only be used when absolutely necessary, but can be helpful. Most dogs get used to the collar, and it can be a deterrent even if the batteries are dead. These collars will beep or vibrate when your dog barks or growls, the sound or vibration will intensify if they continue to bark. It is a negative reinforcement that can help keep them quiet if nothing else seems to work.
Keep in mind you may have to try each of these, or combine a few of them for optimal results. We recommend starting with more exercise and toys to keep your pup busy first, and then go from there if the barking continues to be an issue. You might also discuss these options with your veterinarian to see if they recommend certain brands that can help.
No dog owner wants their dog to bark excessively while they are home alone and this is an even bigger concern if you happen to live in an apartment or townhome. They may bark when they hear sirens, if a package is delivered, or any number of other things. But what can you do to…