We all know dogs bark, but some certainly do it more than others! If you’ve ever wondered why your dog is barking, or how to help them bark less, you’re not alone. This week on Table Talk, we welcomed back our good friend Orlando de Santos from Results Dog Training to dig into what our dog’s barking is really trying to say, and how we can respond.
Barking Isn’t Bad – It’s Communication
To start with, Orlando reminds us that barking isn’t “bad” behaviour, it’s a dog’s way of communicating.
“If a child is crying, we try to understand the cause—pain, fear, hunger. But when a dog barks, we often just want it to stop,” he said. “Barking is simply a dog’s way of vocalising a need or emotion.”
Dogs bark for lots of reasons:
- Pain or discomfort
- Excitement or playfulness
- Fear or distress
- Frustration or boredom
- Alerting you to something nearby
- Or even just to say “hi”
But not all barking sounds the same. Orlando says we need to look at both the sound of the bark and the body language that comes with it.
“A dog crouched in a play bow with a high-pitched yap? That’s play. A deep bark with a stiff body? That might be fear or alert barking. And constant, repetitive barking while pacing or staring at nothing? Likely boredom.”
When Barking Becomes a Habit
Here’s the challenge: barking can become a habit loop.
Let’s say your dog barks at the postie every day. The postie delivers the mail, then walks away. To your dog, their barking worked – they barked and the “threat” left. Now the next time someone comes to the door, the barking ramps up.
“They’re being reinforced without us even realising it,” Orlando explained. “The bark becomes a habit because they’re getting what they want.”
To break the cycle, Orlando suggests replacing the routine with a new behaviour. That might mean desensitising your dog to the doorbell or redirecting them with food, a command, or a positive action like touching your hand.
The MAP to Better Behaviour
Orlando shared a simple acronym to help manage barking at the fence, front door, or even on walks:
M – Manage the Environment
Use long leads or smaller spaces to keep your dog’s world manageable, especially when you’re not home. A huge yard can be overwhelming and overstimulating.
A – Associate Positively
If your dog barks every time the neighbour’s dog appears, teach them that it predicts good things. Keep them on a lead, feed them treats, play games – make the trigger mean “fun,” not “fear.”
P – Predictable Patterns
Reinforce new patterns. For example, if a knock on the door triggers barking, teach your dog to go to a mat instead. Consistency is key here, and professional help can go a long way.
“We’re not punishing the bark. We’re training an alternative behaviour.”
What Not to Do
Orlando is clear: avoid punishment-based approaches.
“Things like rolled-up newspapers or bark collars don’t work long-term. They don’t teach your dog what to do instead—and they damage your bond with them.”
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Orlando reminds us that dogs just want to communicate, and it’s our job to listen well and lead gently.
“Whether it’s barking, jumping, or toileting issues, it all comes down to building patterns over time. If we reinforce the behaviours we want, we’ll see more of them.”
So the next time your pup pipes up, don’t get frustrated, get curious. Your dog might just be trying to tell you something.
Catch more tips from Orlando on Table Talk with Doug or check out the full chat below.