Barking is a normal behavior of dogs. Some of the expected or "normal" reasons for dogs to bark include:
Dogs that bark excessively (nuisance barking) can be at risk for relinquishment or euthanasia - particularly in municipalities with noise ordinances.
Excessive barking in dogs can also be associated with other problem behaviors or conditions including separation anxiety, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, stress, and hearing or visual impairment. Dogs that bark due to anxiety, fear, and distress require individualized treatment plans, as they may have abnormal levels of agitation and need personalized attention to address their issue(s).
There are other possible causes or triggers for nuisance barking. This week's Evidence Based Update reveals the findings of a recently published study that examined this problem in a population of dogs. The findings, including the contributing factors they identified and recommendations for dealing with the problem, are discussed. View this Evidence Based Update - it's available for On Demand viewing (running time 16 mins; Approved for CE credit in New York and by the NJVMA, pending approval for CE credit by AAVSB RACE).
In Part II on this topic, Dr. Christensen provides more insight on this behavior in dogs and offers suggestions for modifying the behavior of excessive barking in dogs. Read more
