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All dogs bark sometimes.  It is their primary mode of communication but when a dog barks excessively it is annoying for everyone.  Some breeds bark more than others but all dogs bark at times.

Dogs will bark excessively for a variety of reasons.  If your dog spends the entire day in the house or in the same yard he may start barking excessively because he is bored. Dogs love exercise and interacting with people.  Dogs also love social stimulation, as they are pack animals.  If your dog is barking out of boredom try taking more walks or incorporating more playtimes throughout the day

Being overly nervous or scared can also prompt a dog to start barking excessively.  Appropriately socialized dogs tend to be calmer and more relaxed around various people and in different situations but a dog that is not used to new things may start barking out of anxiety.  Start socializing your dog by taking him to new and different places and into new situations.  Offer him praise and rewards when he is quiet and well behaved and soon he will not be so nervous as he will associate the pleasing treat with the situation rather than nervousness.

Dogs will bark to get your attention and this is one way to communicate.  However, if you respond to barking every time you are just teaching your dog to bark more.  Attempt to get him to communicate in other ways and reinforce that behavior with praise and treats.  He can rub on your leg if he wants to go outside just as easy as he can bark at you!

Separation anxiety can make a dog start barking excessively.  This is a problem for you as it is disturbing to neighbors and others and you are not even there.  Try to get your dog past separation anxiety early on in his training when he is just a puppy.  You can use a crate whenever you leave and he will adjust to you being gone in his own space.  Do not make a big issue out of leaving your dog home alone but just slip out quietly.  He will be more likely to behave until you get back if he doesn’t really know that you have left.

Dogs bark to protect the ones that they love.  This is usually considered to be a good thing unless your dog is barking excessively to protect you from the mailman (or mail person!) every single day!  In that case try to distract your dog with a treat or some playtime.  You can also introduce your dog to the mailman.  If he becomes friendly with the people who come by most often then he is less likely to bark excessively.  If your dog barks for protection though, you should be grateful as someday you may find yourself in a circumstance where you need that.

You can find dog training videos that can give you some tips and techniques to curb excessive barking but oftentimes just more socialization and more playtimes will help stop the excessive barking.  The one thing you should consider though is that your dog is often barking for a reason and you should find out what that reason is.  Then you can deal with the barking.

If your dog only barks for proper communication you and others like you will enjoy your dog more.  Start training your dog not to bark excessively while he is just a puppy and by the time he is grown up you will know that if he is barking it is for a good reason.

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