How to Stop Your Dogs Barking When You’re Not at Home

To stop your dog’s barking when you’re not at home you may as well engage a few strategies. Training is the primary method, where you teach your dog quiet cues, and reward them when they obey.

Creating a quiet and comfortable environment can also help. A tired dog usually behaves better, so give your dog a lot of exercise before you leave.

Furthermore, consider using puzzle toys to keep them engaged, or even background noises like radios or sound machines to provide comfort. If your dog is still barking excessively, it may be worth consulting a veterinary behaviorist for professional help.

Last Updated on September 20, 2023

In an ideal world, we would all have jobs that allowed us to spend all day every day at home playing with our dogs. We would go on long walks, spend hours playing in the garden, and take them everywhere we could.

In real life, however, this is not always practical. We work jobs which involve long hours, and visit places which are not dog-friendly. In these instances, we will have to leave our dogs behind in their home.

While for most dogs, this is nothing more than a mild inconvenience, some will express their distress through loud, continual barking. This is upsetting for them, and annoying for the neighbors. Many dog owners have found themselves subject to noise complaints as a result of their pet. To help, we have some top tips to help you stop your dog barking when you are not home, restore neighborly relations, and improve the quality of life for everyone.

Dog barking

Relieve Anxiety

Dogs usually get stressed when they are left alone at home. They become anxious and start looking for the people who are generally around them. Continuous barking is a sign of stress and anxiety that a dog expresses when they are alone at home.

Training your dog to play with their favorite toys or get engaged in an activity is crucial to relieve anxiety and solve the barking problem. Make sure they have plenty of toys and puzzles around them to keep them busy. Food puzzles can be a great way to keep the dogs entertained—and they are rewarded with a tasty treat! Also, consider buying an automatic pet feeder if you are out for a long time and cannot feed your dogs on time.

You can also try calming aids if the above doesn’t relieve stress and anxiety from your barking dog.

Exercise to Keep Dogs Calm

One of the most important things is to ensure that your pet is getting enough exercise throughout the day. If your dog is tired, they are more likely to snooze and remain calm and peaceful throughout the day and wouldn’t bark without any reason. On the other hand, dogs who have too much energy make a lot of noise and can bark constantly to relieve their energy. If possible, arrange for a dog walker to pop in halfway through the day and help your dog work off some energy. If you cannot take your dog outdoors for the walk consider buying a dog treadmill for indoor exercise.

Keep Familiar Sounds Around

Most of us do not live in complete silence, and so it can be unsettling for your dog if they are suddenly left in this environment and start barking. Play a television or radio while you are out to help relax your dog and reassure them. They will be far more likely to stay calm if they feel safe and wouldn’t bark unnecessarily in your absence.

Try a Citronella Collar

A citronella collar can be a great solution to an overly barky dog. These work by spraying a burst of citronella whenever the dog barks. This is a substance made from the oils of lemongrass and is commonly found in candles, incense, and perfumes. It is harmless to your dog but will dissuade them from continuing to bark. After a time, they will associate barking with being sprayed, and this should help them to break the habit. These are often considered to be humane alternatives to shock collars.

Anti-Barking Devices

Anti barking collars are— quite rightly—frowned upon, but there are alternatives you can try. Some will emit a high pitched noise that only your dog can hear, and this can be a good deterrent to barkers. Most experts will only suggest these devices as a last resort. There are kinder ways to resolve the problem and get to the heart of your dog’s issues.

Also Read: How To Stop A Puppy From Barking

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