Barking
My dog barks a lot, for example at the window, at the door or when he is alone.
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First, quickly: does any of these apply?
If so, we’ll show you where to find the right help.
Does he bark or howl mainly when he is alone, and hurt himself, damage doors or soil the home while doing so?
Has he ever snapped at or bitten a person or dog while barking?
Has he recently started barking much more, all of a sudden, at night too, or does he seem restless and changed?
Does he panic at noises like fireworks or thunderstorms and not calm down for hours?
Does he bark fiercely at other dogs or people while on the lead, without any contact happening?
Please answer all the questions.
What helps today:
How it’s done: calmly redirect
The doorbell rings and the dog barks at the door. The person stays calm, calls the dog over in a friendly voice and scatters treats on its blanket. The dog sniffs there, and only then does the person go to the door.
- For a few days, write down when and at what he barks. The trigger shows you what will help.
- If he barks at the window: block his view, for example with privacy film on the lower part of the window or a different resting spot.
- Calm music or a quiet radio can mask noises from outside.
- If he barks to get something: wait until he is quiet for a moment, and only then turn to him.
- Reward calm moments: if he is lying relaxed even though something is going on outside, calmly put a treat down for him.
- Enough sniffing, chewing and sleep during the day make barking less frequent.
- Don’t scold, and don’t use anti-bark collars or devices. They only suppress the barking, not the reason for it. In Switzerland they are banned; in Germany, according to the TVT, they breach animal welfare.
Why this happens
For dogs, barking is completely normal communication. They bark to bring about something good or to drive away something scary. If barking has paid off, for example because the delivery driver then went away again, it happens more often.
Practise for the long term
- Relaxing on the blanketA blanket that means “Here you can switch off”
- Calm about soundsVacuum cleaner, doorbell, fireworks: very quiet at first
- Staying alone: the first secondsBriefly away, calmly back: being alone in mini steps
When to see a professional?
If it doesn’t get better, starts suddenly or worries you: a professional can look at your dog. An app can’t do that.
Where to find helpAs of: October 2026