Why Would an Outside Dog Bark Constantly?

Dogs that live and sleep outside often develop the habit of barking constantly when left alone. This can be an irritation to the owner and the neighbors, and can result in complaints to the dog owner. Determining the cause of the barking and taking steps to fix the problem can help owners and neighbors sleep soundly at night rather than being woken by a loud dog.

  1. Reasons

    • There are a number of reasons why an outside dog would bark constantly, according to the Dumb Friends League, the largest animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region. If the outside dog does not get enough human interaction, it might bark out of frustration or for attention. The dog may be barking territorially if there is another dog or person walking by the yard. Or the dog could be barking out of fear or phobia, such as loud noises caused by thunderstorms or lawn mowers.

    Identification

    • Identifying why the outside dog barks constantly may help an owner figure out how to prevent future barking. If the dog is an active breed, such as a border collie or an Australian shepherd, it might be barking from frustration because of a lack of exercise, according to the Dumb Friends League. If the dog is young, it might not have enough outlet for its energy and bark from boredom or for attention. If the dog barks when people walk by, it's likely that the dog is guarding its territory. A dog that barks when left alone may be suffering from separation anxiety, especially if other behaviors such as digging and chewing accompany the barking, according to the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

    Benefits

    • While constant barking is an annoyance to many dog owners and neighbors, there are benefits to having a loud dog. Barking is a dog's way of communicating, says dog breeder and trainer Norma Bennett Woolf, and can alert owners to potential danger or intruders.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Preventing an outside dog from barking constantly requires time and patience, according to the Dumb Friends League. Exercising the dog thoroughly before leaving it alone outdoors should tire it out, meaning it is more likely to sleep or rest than bark. A change of scenery might also help break the habit of constant barking, says Bennett Woolf. Bringing an outside dog inside often helps stop the barking as it removes the distractions of people and animals walking by. A crate or pet gates help prevent a potentially destructive dog from causing trouble indoors.

    Warning

    • While it is possible to debark a dog, Bennett Woolf considers the procedure inhumane. Debarking does not stop the dog barking altogether, but muffles it. Training collars such as citronella or electric shock collars may work to control the dog's barking, but some dogs bark regardless of this, according to the Dumb Friends League. These collars may frighten particularly shy or fearful dogs.