Although we know that dogs normally communicate by barking, howling, growling and yelping, we should still have control over them. Dogs can bark for good reasons, and at appropriate times but excessive barking is most annoying and extremely irritating. Given proper coaching, dogs can be trained to correct negative and displeasing behaviors and habits.

Whenever you encounter problems with your dog's behavior it is always necessary to find the root cause of it all. Dogs bark for a reason, no mater how insignificant this reason may seem. Reasons why dogs may bark include: anger, frustration, boredom, and fear. By addressing the root problem, you are doing much more than instructing your dog not to bark. You're also exercising your authority and unconsciously learning how your dog thinks and react. If you can get the right balance and train your dog to bark only when it's appropriate, then you'll have the best of both worlds.

The first reason for excessive barking is boredom. Humans get bored and so do dogs. Usually, dogs are left home by their owners who work during the most part of the day. When they are left alone, they get frustrated by not doing anything. The only way that they can show their frustration is by barking. As the owner, you have to find ways on how to create a healthy and active environment for your dog instead of leaving him alone. Normally an owner would add another dog to keep his dog company but sometimes this creates more trouble for the owner. If this doesn't work, the owner has to deal with two barking dogs instead of just one. It would be better if the owner would hire a dog sitter or would enroll their dog at a doggie daycare. This will provide a happy, active and entertaining environment for your dog while you are gone.

Another key cause for dog barking is frustration. They may bark to escape the feeling of frustration in their system or they may be bursting with irritation and have no where else to release it. To determine if frustration is your dog's source of barking, examine his area. Usually it involves something that is located just out of your dog's reach. This can include a toy, water dish, food dish, bag of treats, or anything else he wants to get his paws-or teeth-on. If your dog is kept in an outdoor space, it is likely that other animals or humans are bothering your dog. See if neighboring dogs or people are teasing or enticing your dog into barking. It is not that uncommon to find that the neighbor's children are teasing your dog over the fence, thus causing the barking. Once the stimulus is removed, the frustration barking will stop.

Anger and fear are often lumped into the same category, but can often cause barking. Just like frustration, there is usually an exterior stimulus that is causing the dog to bark, so by finding this stimulus, you can for sure stop the barking! Consider your area to determine if someone or something is causing your dog to bark. Usually, anger or fear can include other habits in addition to barking, like whining, jumping, or digging.