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Barking is a dog’s way of communicating and expressing emotions. Although an uncontrolled, sharp, persistent bark can annoy humans, it’s normal for dogs. If you are raising an incessant barker, you likely have many questions about this behavior.
Do dogs get tired of barking? Does excessive barking hurt? Dogs generally do get tired of barking, but depending on the cause of the barking, some individuals can go on for extended periods.
Read on as we dive into the details of barking. We will also share some practical tips to help you address this behavior.
Do Dogs Get Exhausted From Barking?
Dogs bark to express emotions of happiness, fear, anxiety, anger, hunger, excitement, boredom, loneliness, etc. This behavior can make you go crazy and even make you unpopular with your neighbors.
Fortunately, nonstop barking ultimately causes exhaustion and physical burnout. Your dog will eventually start panting and calm down. This may take a while, and the break may, unfortunately, be temporary, especially if your furry friend enjoys barking as a self-rewarding behavior.
If your dog’s barking is stress-related, they will likely calm down because of mental exhaustion. Stress-related barking can lead to intense mental anguish, anxiety, and frustration. If the stressor goes unaddressed for too long, it can exacerbate the barking problem or trigger other behavioral issues.
Does Excessive Barking Hurt?
Excessive barking does more than cause physical burnout. It can also lead to laryngitis, a concern characterized by the overuse and inflammation of the larynx (voice box). Prolonged barking can also damage the vocal cords, causing your furry friend to bark in a hoarse voice.
The signs of dog laryngitis vary depending on the severity of the inflammation. The most common signs include excessive panting and difficulty breathing, raspy sound when breathing, coughing, bad breath, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it’s vital to consult a veterinarian immediately. Although mild cases of laryngitis are treatable in just days, the concern can take weeks or months to heal if its underlying cause goes unaddressed.
It would help if you addressed the internal or external stressors triggering excessive barking to ensure your dog’s health and happiness.
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Why Do Some Dogs Take Longer to Get Tired of Barking?
All dogs are individuals, and some are naturally more vocal than others. Although they all get tired of barking at some point, some breeds can go on all day and only take short breaks in between to grab a snack or drink.
Breeds like Fox Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Dachshunds, and German Shepherds can bark a lot, sometimes because of the job they were bred to do. For instance, Golden Retrievers were bred to hunt over long distances and retrieve game from cliffs, water bodies, and bushes. They have a booming bark and can bark long and hard when signaling their owner after a successful hunt.
A Golden Retriever named Charlie holds the world record for having the loudest bark at 113 decibels! That’s as loud as a rock band.
The time it takes for a dog to get tired and stop barking depends highly on their breeding and genetics. Other aspects that may play a role include the dog’s age, size, and overall health.
Should You Ignore Your Dog’s Barking Until It Gets Tired?
Whether to ignore your dog’s woofing until they get tired and stop depends on the root cause of barking. It is always best to ensure your pet’s basic needs are met and that they’re not warning you about potential danger.
If your furry companion needs a potty break, it’s only fair to address this need. However, ignore them if they are barking at shadows and the cars rolling down the street. You’ll still need to address the cause of the barking, but not when your dog is at the height of being vocal.
Your dog will get tired and take a break from barking. During those quiet moments between barking, offer them a reward. You must also remove the cause of the barking, desensitize your dog to triggers or offer a distraction. If you can’t tell why your dog is suddenly overly vocal, consider consulting your vet about the concern.
The 5 Expert Tips to Stop Your Dog From Barking
Barking is a natural behavior for dogs, but excessive barking can be problematic. It can cause physical and psychological concerns for your furry friend and disrupt the peace in your neighborhood.
Here are five tips to help you address the behavior.
1. Understand the Cause of Barking
If you have an overly vocal dog, it can be tempting to grab your noise-canceling headphones and ignore the whines. Unfortunately, this can only provide temporary solutions, especially if you fail to address the root cause of the barking.
For instance, does your furry companion bark at every car passing down your street? Consider closing the curtains or turning on your TV to minimize outdoor noise. Also, keep your pet indoors or in smaller, enclosed spaces like a crate where they don’t have to focus solely on the road.
So, what if your dog is barking at you?
Demand barking means they require your attention or a particular need met. Before ignoring your pet, ask yourself whether they could be hungry, thirsty, unwell, or in need of a potty break.
2. Don’t Reward Unwanted Behavior
If you find your dog’s barking annoying, the last thing you should do is offer treats, praise, and petting to stop the noise. Your furry friend will perceive this as a reward and bark whenever they need your attention.
The best way to go about this is to first ensure that your dog is not alerting you about an actual threat. If nothing seems off, ignore the barking and wait until he stops. This may take a while, especially when dealing with a strong, healthy, and young dog.
With some patience, your furry friend will eventually get tired of woofing out. Once quiet and calm, offer a treat and invite him for a play session. This will send the message that barking will not earn them any rewards.
So, what if your dog starts barking again when you approach them? Turn away and leave the room if need be until they stop barking.
3. Address the Cause of Barking
Excessive barking is physically draining for dogs. Once a dog is tired of barking, they will take a break and continue if a stressor is not removed or reduced through desensitization. Unfortunately, this can become a vicious cycle, making your once quiet dog more prone to barking.
When a stressor is not removed, your dog will only get more worked up. This will make it harder for you to make them calm down. Even if they stop barking because of mental or physical fatigue, they will pick up another unwanted behavior pattern to help them cope with the stress.
Common secondary behavioral problems include aggression, digging, and paw licking. The best approach is to remove a stressor, limit your dog’s access to potential triggers or consult a clinical animal behaviorist for more personalized guidance.
4. Establish a Good Routine
One of the most effective ways to address excessive barking is to get your furry friend into a good routine. Dogs love when they can predict when vital activities are going to happen.
For instance, does your furry friend bark when they want a potty break? Getting into the habit of taking them outside for bathroom breaks after every four hours can help address the concern.
Also, ensure your routine involves giving your dog plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Dogs, irrespective of breed, are notorious for getting whiny when bored. Take your pet for walks and indulge in active playtime to help release pent-up energy.
When leaving your home, provide stimulating games like food puzzles to keep your furry friend’s mind occupied.
5. Don’t Punish Unwanted Behavior
Excessive barking can test your patience to the max. Depending on how long your dog has been at it and how loud he barks, you could feel tempted to get loud yourself.
Yelling will only worsen the situation and make it harder to make your furry friend calm down. It can also induce fear, stress, and anxiety, increasing the odds of dealing with more behavioral problems.
The best way around the problem is to remain calm and use positive reinforcement.
Reward your dog when they stop barking and ignore or redirect unwanted behavior. Reinforcing the desired behavior reduces the odds of your pet barking out of control when they want something.
Final Thoughts
Barking is normal for dogs, and “some barking” should not be a cause for alarm. However, excessive barking can be frustrating and often a sign of stress or discomfort. Also, some individuals love the melody of their barks. They can woof out all afternoon even when they know the behavior drives you crazy!
Fortunately, dogs do get tired of barking.
Some get tired in just a few minutes, while others have the lungs to keep at it for hours. Either way, rewarding your furry friend for those quiet moments in between barking can help reinforce the desired behavior. The reward will also calm your pet long enough to allow you to figure out what they are trying to communicate.
Featured Photo Credit: atiger, Shutterstock
