A dog’s bark is his or her voice and primary means of communication. Dogs bark for many of the same reasons that people speak – because they are happy or frightened or frustrated. Your dog may bark as a way of showing fear or protecting her territory from a perceived threat. Something that may seem insignificant to you, such as a cat walking up your driveway, may not be so insignificant to your dog, and she will bark at it. Your dog’s barking may be louder and more urgent sounding when someone knocks on your door or if someone who is a stranger to your dog approaches you. Dogs also bark as a way of greeting you or as a greeting to other dogs and use this more happy, excited bark as a way of letting you know they are ready to engage in active play time. Dogs will also bark to get your attention when they are hungry or thirsty or want to go outside.
There is always a reason for a dog’s barking, although sometimes that reason may not be apparent to her people at first. Sometimes a dog’s bark can be the result of her instinctive need for interaction, activity and exercise not being met, especially if a dog is barking excessively and for no other apparent reason. A dog that engages in excessive barking is probably bored or lonely or experiencing some other type of separation anxiety. Lack of the stimulation provided by daily interaction with her people and/or other dogs and lack of the proper exercise that she needs can cause a dog to become so bored and frustrated that she barks excessively. This excessive barking is her way of trying to communicate to you that her needs for interaction, activity, and exercise are being neglected.
One solution to this excessive barking would be to spend more time interacting with your dog. Keep her busy by engaging in active play. Provide toys that stimulate and challenge her, such as the type that a treat can be hidden in. Spend time grooming, petting, and talking with your dog and take her for plenty of walks every day. It bears repeating that a busy dog is less lonely and bored and not as likely to spend so much time barking because she isn’t getting her needs met.
What if you spend long hours away from home and can’t be with your dog to devote as much time to her as you would like? What if your dog is spending way too many hours a day shut in her kennel and barking the day away? You may have to get creative with solutions to prevent your dog from barking all day long in your absence and engaging in other destructive behaviors. Getting up a half hour earlier to take your dog for a walk and play with her might help. Walking your dog again as soon as you get home from work could also be part of your plan to provide more activity and interaction for your dog. Perhaps you have a neighbor who can stop by during the day to spend a few minutes playing with your dog.
If these ideas aren’t possible to implement and there is nobody to interact with your dog during the day, a dog daycare for your pooch might be a more reliable solution. Dog daycare can provide your dog with something to look forward to when you go to work. Rather than knowing she faces another long lonely day by herself, your dog can be excited by the prospect of going to her special place to play and interact with both human caregivers and other dogs. This solution will provide you with peace of mind as well, as you will know your dog is both well cared for and happy.
If you live in the Golden or Lakewood areas, Pet Peeves LLC can help you with the solution to your dog’s lonely days by providing affordable care for your dog during the day. The facility, located in Golden, has 5,000 square feet of indoor activity area and provides outdoor activities as well, with a focus on your dog getting the right amount of exercise that she needs. Play groups for your dog, based on energy level and size, are one activity sure to provide the stimulation and exercise your dog needs and make both of you feel better. Much better than enclosing your family pet in a kennel all day!
Lakewood and Golden residents also have a safe option they can feel good about for their dogs when they are traveling as Pet Peeves also provides dog boarding. Peace of mind about the safety and happiness of your pet when you are traveling is priceless and quality dog boarding can help provide that for you.
We owe it to our four legged family members to make sure all of their needs are met, including their needs for stimulation, socialization, and exercise. Dog daycare and dog boarding are two resources available to help us take care of our canine friends.
