Why do dogs bark?
Kerry GoldFri, Jan 28, 2011 1:58 AM PST
Your neighbour's dog is barking. And barking. And barking.
No, the poor dog isn't doing his best to raise your blood pressure. He's merely doing what comes naturally — which is, for the majority of breeds, to bark.
There are many reasons why a dog that is alone would bark repeatedly. The most likely reason is sheer boredom and loneliness. Dogs will bark if they are left alone too long, or cruelly tied up in a backyard with little or no stimulation. Just like a person, a dog suffers when put in isolation and left without companionship. They are social animals, and that means the lonely and bored dog bark is one of the saddest barks of all. Such barking is a big red flag that you need to address your dog's needs. Is he alone for long periods of time? Is he left isolated and without attention for long periods? How often does he get walked? How often does he get petted and praised? Dogs need exercise to work off pent-up energy, no matter what their size. If your neighbour's dog is a problem barker, address the issue with your neighbour and suggest a good trainer. If the dog appears to be barking because it's suffering from neglect, a call to the local Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals might be in order.
Temple Grandin is a gifted best-selling author and professor who seems to have a special gift when it comes to working with animals and is the subject of a film starring Claire Danes, released last year. She told DogTime.com recently that she worried about dogs that were left isolated all day.
"Nowadays there are too many dogs locked up all day, whining, chewing up their paws. That's not a very good life for a dog. So you've got to do something about it. Give them another dog to play with, take them to work if they'll allow it. Take them to doggie daycare. But a dog doesn't have a very good life if he's locked up in a crate for hours and hours on end."
Aside from isolation and boredom, there are other reasons your dog might go on a barking spree. Here are a few, based on a survey of expert opinions.
Dog Behavior and Training
