 Barking is one of the most common (and frustrating) behaviours dog owners deal with. Whether it’s triggered by a squirrel, the doorbell, boredom, or just general commentary on life—it can feel endless.
And sometimes, the barking is directed right at you: “Feed me.” “Play with me.” “Why did you stop petting me?” That’s called demand barking, and yes, we’ll cover that too. This blog is your guide to understanding why your dog barks, how we sometimes accidentally make it worse, and what to do about it. Whether you’ve got a new puppy or a grown adult dog with opinions about the world, there’s something in here for you. How We Accidentally Reinforce Barking Those early days with a new dog often include a lot of unintentional training. They bark—and we respond. Maybe with a laugh, a “What do you need?” or even just eye contact. But to your dog? That equals attention. And attention is reinforcing, even if it’s not praise. So when your dog barks and you react—even with a “No!” or a frustrated sigh—you might actually be reinforcing the behaviour. From their perspective: “I bark, you engage. Works every time!” Not All Barks Are the Same Here’s the thing: barking is a completely natural canine behaviour. It’s how dogs express excitement, frustration, boredom, fear, and even joy. But not all barks sound the same—or mean the same thing. That high-pitched bark while you prepare dinner? That’s very different from the sharp, alert bark when looking out the window. Tuning into why your dog is barking is half the battle. When you understand the message, you can respond in a way that addresses the cause in a fair way—not just the noise. Demand Barking: A Common Culprit Demand barking is exactly what it sounds like—your dog barking to make you do something. It might be:
And if barking gets them what they want? You’ve just hired them to do it again tomorrow. The fix? Don’t engage. No eye contact, no words, no movement. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. When your dog stops—even for a moment—that’s when you offer quiet praise or give them what they wanted on your terms- not theirs. Just make sure if you interrupt the barking, you follow up with clarity—not by caving in. Your Barking Toolbox Let’s walk through some practical ways to reduce barking and teach better habits. Teach a “Settle” Teaching your dog to “settle” builds impulse control and teaches them how to regulate themselves. The settle command, simply put, is used to communicate with your dog that it’s time to calm down in a space of your choosing. We put a leash on the dog and keep them close. No talking, touching or feeding during this time. Just quiet and calm. It may not be easy at first, but the effort is worth it! Practice in calm environments first, then add small distractions. It’s a great way to prevent overstimulation and help your dog make better choices. Need a handout or a refresher? Reach out—we’re happy to send it your way. Supervise and Stay Close If your puppy or newly adopted dog is out of their crate, they should be in your line of sight. A house line (a lightweight leash they drag around indoors) lets you step in gently when needed. When you’re nearby, you can catch the barking before it builds into a full-blown concert. Sometimes all it takes is a simple redirection into a task or training moment to reset the brain. Interrupt and Redirect When barking escalates, interruption is key. We’re not punishing—we’re pressing pause. You’re simply breaking the pattern so your dog can shift gears. Try:
Whatever you use, the method should be fast, firm, and fair. Then give your dog a job: sit, down, follow you for a short walk—anything to guide them back to a calm state. Think of barking like a glitter jar: once it’s been shaken, it needs time to settle. Don’t rush it. Let the moment breathe. Reinforce Calm Behaviour One of the most powerful (and often overlooked) strategies? Reinforce the calm before the storm. Dog lying quietly near the window? Mark that moment with a soft “good” and maybe drop a treat nearby. No hype. No squeaky praise. Just subtle reinforcement for the behaviour you actually want. We call this shaping calm—and it works. A Quick Note on Growling: Don’t Punish the Simmer While this blog focuses on barking, we can’t leave out an important cousin to the bark: the growl. Growling is not the same as barking—and it’s not “bad behaviour.” It’s communication. When a dog growls, they’re telling us they’re uncomfortable. It’s the simmer before boiling over. Imagine a pot of water starting to bubble. If we ignore it—or worse, clamp a lid on it—the pressure builds until it spills over. That’s exactly what can happen if we punish or suppress a growl. Before shutting it down, listen and take note. Ask yourself:
The fix isn’t to correct the growl—it’s to turn down the heat. That might mean backing away, removing the trigger, or giving your dog more space. For example:
Growling is a warning. And warnings are a gift. They give us time to respond before the barking (or worse, a bite) happens. Bottom line: don’t punish the growl. However, there are contingencies (like with almost every dog training rule). There is a time and a place to step up and address growling. Not out of conflict, but providing clarity. With a puppy who growls over a toy towards the handler - we promptly address that. An older dog who growls at another, we may need to show them they don’t need to worry and that we have their back. Need help with this? We are more than happy to! Respect it, observe it, and respond thoughtfully. That’s how we build trust—and prevent escalation. Final Thoughts: Build Calm, Break the Habit Barking is a habit. And like any habit, it sticks when it pays off. Whether it’s excitement, anxiety, or attention-seeking, the approach is the same:
And remember: if you’re struggling to find the right strategy for your dog, you’re not alone. We’re here to help. Reach out anytime and let’s work on it—together. Comments are closed.
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Meet the authorAnna Marie Stewart, DTTA-CPDT, is the owner and founder of Instinct Canine Training in Burlington, Ontario. Her passion and love of dogs is evident to anyone who works with her, and is an experienced trainer who works with a variety of clients to achieve a well-mannered dog. Categories
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