how to fix the 5 most
common types of barking
Why Is My Dog Barking?! Understanding—and Handling—Your Dog’s Barkfest
by Giene Keyes, Moon Dog Training
Let’s be real—dogs bark. It’s how they communicate. But not all barking is created equal, and not all barking needs to be "shushed." The trick is figuring out why your dog is barking and responding in a way that actually helps, instead of accidentally making things worse.
In this article, we’ll break down common types of barking, how to tell them apart, and what you can do (and not do) about it.
The 5 Most Common Types of Barking
1. Demand Barking
What it looks like: Your dog stares at you and barks to get attention, a toy, food, or to be let out. It usually starts off small… and escalates if it works.
What to do:
2. Alert Barking
What it looks like: Your dog hears or sees something (like the mail carrier or a squirrel) and lets you know. Usually a sharp, repetitive bark near windows, doors, or fences.
What to do:
3. Boredom Barking
What it looks like: Repetitive barking with no clear trigger. Usually happens in the backyard or crate. It sounds like, “I have nothing to do!”
What to do:
4. Fear or Anxiety Barking
What it looks like: Barking paired with body language like cowering, tucked tail, backing away, or growling. Common during thunderstorms, vet visits, or around strangers.
What to do:
5. Frustration or Barrier Barking
What it looks like: Your dog sees another dog or person while on leash or behind a fence and barks, lunges, or whines. It’s a “let me get to that!” kind of bark.
What to do:
General Barking “Don’ts”
Final Thoughts
Your dog isn’t trying to be “bad”—they’re trying to tell you something. Barking is communication. Once you understand what your dog is saying, you can respond in a way that actually works, instead of just trying to silence them.
If barking is becoming a challenge, don’t go it alone. Reach out—we’re here to help you and your dog communicate better, live more peacefully, and have way more fun together.
Giene Keyes
Amazon Storefront
www.moondogtraining.com
www.shootingstarwaterdogs.com
www.shootingstarlagotto.com
Giene Keyes
Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
by Giene Keyes, Moon Dog Training
Let’s be real—dogs bark. It’s how they communicate. But not all barking is created equal, and not all barking needs to be "shushed." The trick is figuring out why your dog is barking and responding in a way that actually helps, instead of accidentally making things worse.
In this article, we’ll break down common types of barking, how to tell them apart, and what you can do (and not do) about it.
The 5 Most Common Types of Barking
1. Demand Barking
What it looks like: Your dog stares at you and barks to get attention, a toy, food, or to be let out. It usually starts off small… and escalates if it works.
What to do:
- Don’t give in! Rewarding demand barking teaches your dog that barking = getting what they want.
- Wait for silence. Even one second of quiet is a win. Say “yes!” and then give them what they’re asking for.
- Teach an alternate behavior. For example, reward sitting politely instead of barking.
- Don’t yell or scold—it’s still attention. Even negative attention can reinforce demand barking.
2. Alert Barking
What it looks like: Your dog hears or sees something (like the mail carrier or a squirrel) and lets you know. Usually a sharp, repetitive bark near windows, doors, or fences.
What to do:
- Acknowledge and redirect. Say “thank you!” in a cheerful voice, then call them away and offer something else to do (a treat scatter or toy).
- Manage the environment. Use frosted window film, white noise machines, or strategic baby gates to reduce triggers.
- Teach a “quiet” cue after they’ve learned what it means to be calm and quiet.
- Don’t punish barking—alerting you is natural. If they feel like you’re not listening, many dogs will bark more.
3. Boredom Barking
What it looks like: Repetitive barking with no clear trigger. Usually happens in the backyard or crate. It sounds like, “I have nothing to do!”
What to do:
- Enrich their environment. Try puzzle toys, sniffari walks, or frozen Kongs.
- Give them a job. Teach them a trick or simple task to focus on.
- Increase mental exercise. Training sessions can tire them out more than a walk.
- Don’t just wait for it to go away. If your dog finds barking entertaining, it can become a self-rewarding habit.
4. Fear or Anxiety Barking
What it looks like: Barking paired with body language like cowering, tucked tail, backing away, or growling. Common during thunderstorms, vet visits, or around strangers.
What to do:
- Support, don’t scold. Fear is real. Punishing a scared dog can make it worse.
- Give space. Don’t force your dog to “face their fears.” Instead, help them feel safe.
- Use counter-conditioning. Pair the scary thing at a distance with something they love (like chicken).
- Consider a trainer. For fear-based barking, a behavior professional can help guide the process safely.
- Don’t flood them with the scary thing (“he just needs to get used to it”). This often backfires.
5. Frustration or Barrier Barking
What it looks like: Your dog sees another dog or person while on leash or behind a fence and barks, lunges, or whines. It’s a “let me get to that!” kind of bark.
What to do:
- Create distance. Step away from the trigger until your dog can focus on you.
- Reward calm behavior. Catch them before the explosion and reward for staying under threshold.
- Teach alternate behaviors. Try “look at me,” “let’s go,” or “find it” to redirect.
- Don’t tighten the leash or scold—it adds frustration and tension.
General Barking “Don’ts”
- Don’t rely on bark collars. They suppress barking without addressing the root cause—and can cause fear, stress, or aggression.
- Don’t expect barking to go away overnight. Behavior change takes consistency, patience, and clear communication.
- Don’t forget to praise the quiet moments. Too often we ignore the behavior we want—like when your dog is just lying around being peaceful.
Final Thoughts
Your dog isn’t trying to be “bad”—they’re trying to tell you something. Barking is communication. Once you understand what your dog is saying, you can respond in a way that actually works, instead of just trying to silence them.
If barking is becoming a challenge, don’t go it alone. Reach out—we’re here to help you and your dog communicate better, live more peacefully, and have way more fun together.
Giene Keyes
Amazon Storefront
www.moondogtraining.com
www.shootingstarwaterdogs.com
www.shootingstarlagotto.com
Giene Keyes
Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
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