A quick note: a few links below are affiliate links. Buy through one and we may earn a small commission. It never costs you more, and we only point to gear we'd actually put in front of our own dogs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Barking at people is one of the most common complaints from owners in apartments and shared buildings. VCA Animal Hospitals calls barking a natural behavior and says it is a territorial warning, and also a response to separation, new stimuli, indecision, anxiety or frustration. The ASPCA adds that the same bark can mean different things, so the first job is working out which kind your dog is doing.
Why Dogs Bark at People
The ASPCA separates barking into types, and several of them involve people:
- Territorial barking. The ASPCA says the territory is not just the home: it can include the car, the route you walk and other places associated with you.
- Alarm barking. The ASPCA says it can happen in any location, and that the dog often has stiffer body language and may move or pounce forward an inch or two with each bark.
- Attention-seeking barking. The ASPCA says some dogs bark at people or other animals to gain attention or rewards like food, toys or play.
- Greeting barking. The ASPCA describes a relaxed, excited dog with a wagging tail, who may also whine.
- Frustration-induced barking. It happens when a dog is confined or tied up.
- Barking caused by illness or injury. The ASPCA says this can be due to pain, so a dog that barks in a new way should be examined by a vet.
- Separation anxiety. The barking happens only when the dog is alone, along with another sign such as pacing, destruction, elimination or depression.
The ASPCA also lists compulsive barking, which sounds repetitive, “like a broken record,” and often comes with running along a fence or pacing, and socially facilitated barking, where a dog barks because other dogs are. The VCA adds that medical problems can contribute to barking, especially in older dogs. For the small-dog angle, see why small dogs bark more than big dogs.
What to Do About It
Both sources say the goal is to reduce barking, not to remove it. The ASPCA warns that there is no quick fix and that dogs and breeds known as barkers can be harder to change. Their advice, in order:
Do not reward the barking
The VCA says never to reward barking with any attention, even occasionally, and to reward calm and quiet instead. It also says yelling can add to the noise and to the dog’s anxiety.
Teach a quiet cue
The ASPCA method: let the dog bark three or four times, then say “Quiet” calmly, without shouting. When he stops, give a treat. Then lengthen the wait before the treat step by step: 2, 5, 10 and 20 seconds. If it does not work after 10 to 20 attempts, the ASPCA recommends contacting a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, a veterinary behaviorist or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer.
The VCA offers two alternatives. You can teach the dog to bark on cue, then to be quiet on cue, and reward the quiet. Or, when he barks at the doorbell, hold a treat at his nose: a dog cannot sniff and bark at the same time.
Take away the trigger for territorial barking
For a dog that barks at people passing the window, the ASPCA suggests blocking the view with removable window film or glass spray, or with opaque fencing in a yard. At the door, do not let the dog greet visitors there. Train him to go to a mat or crate spot instead, and reward him for staying quiet.
Greeting and door barking
For excited greeting barking, the ASPCA suggests a sit and stay, and keeping a toy by the door for the dog to hold.
On walks, in the yard and in the car
The ASPCA says to distract the dog with treats before the barking starts, and mentions a head halter used with supervision. In the yard, supervise him and keep him inside when you cannot watch. In the car, use a crate. For walks in more detail, see how to stop a dog barking on walks.
Meet his daily needs
The VCA recommends a consistent routine with enough play, exercise and training, with set times when the dog learns to settle. Early socialization and habituation also help prevent barking in the first place. If the barking happens only when you are out, see barking when left home alone.
What Not to Do
For territorial barking, the ASPCA says a dog may ignore scolding or yelling, that punishment can suppress the bark while his motivation to guard stays strong, and that he might then try to control his territory another way, such as biting without warning. If the barking comes with growling, lunging or a change in behavior, see why a dog becomes more aggressive.
Anti-bark collars are a separate question. The ASPCA says collars that deliver noise are ineffective with most dogs, and that virtually all dogs become “collar-wise,” learning not to bark while wearing the collar and going back to barking without it. The VCA says audible and ultrasonic collars are occasionally effective but usually neither unpleasant nor consistent enough to be reliable, and that spray collars can stop working without concurrent training. Training that teaches the dog what to do instead is the route both sources prefer.
Apartments and Neighbors
The VCA notes that even a small amount of barking can upset neighbors, particularly in apartments or townhouses. That is a reason to start early, with a plan from the sections above, rather than waiting for a complaint.
Related Questions
Why does my dog bark at strangers walking past?
How do I teach my dog to stop barking on command?
Final Thoughts
Work out which kind of barking you are dealing with, take away the trigger where you can, and reward quiet rather than reacting to noise. If it has not improved after a fair try, or it comes with pain or fear, the ASPCA points to a vet or a qualified behavior professional.
Resources
- ASPCA, Barking
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Barking in dogs: how to stop it
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop my dog barking in an apartment?
Find the trigger first, usually noise in the hallway. Manage it with white noise or by blocking the window view, then reward quiet instead of shouting, which only adds to the noise.
Why does my dog bark at people on walks?
Usually fear or frustration, not aggression. Add distance, reward calm looks at the person, and avoid tightening the leash, which tells the dog there is something to worry about.
Do anti-bark collars actually work?
They suppress the symptom without fixing the cause and can make fear-based barking worse. Address the trigger and reward quiet instead.
Google lets you pick which sites come up first in your own results.