A dog’s bark is a natural form of communication, a way to alert us to danger, express excitement, or simply voice their presence. However, excessive barking can become a problem, disrupting neighbors, causing stress for owners, and even leading to housing and legal issues.
This has driven a market for dog-barking deterrents, ranging from simple whistles to more controversial methods. But which solutions are effective, and more importantly, which are humane?
Dog Barking Deterrents: Is Anti-Barking Surgery an Ethical Option?
One controversial measure that often surfaces is anti-barking surgery, also known as debarking or canine devocalization (or ventriculocordectomy). The procedure involves surgically removing or altering the dog’s vocal cords to reduce the volume or eliminate their bark entirely.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “If behavioral and management interventions have failed to reduce barking, performing the procedure may prevent relinquishment or euthanasia.” However, AVMA points out that “devocalization reduces the noise associated with barking, but not the motivation or behavior. This could result in the impression that the issue has been resolved when the dog’s needs are still not being met.”
The AVMA adds that the surgery also brings “significant risks and complications, including pain, are associated with the surgery. “
The American Animal Hospital Association concurs. “Devocalization for inappropriate and excessive vocalization is often ineffective in achieving the desired results, can present risks to the animal, and can deprive canines of the ability to perform a normal behavior.”
Also, several states outlaw devocalization. According to Michigan State University’s Animal Legal and Historical Center, nontherapeutic devocalization is banned in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington. And that number could increase. “Current trends point to more states banning nontherapeutic procedures. Public perceptions towards procedures like devocalization are changing, with more pet owners opposing the practice, according to the center.
Other Barking Deterrents: Muzzles, Whistles, and Collars
The question of cruelty is central to any discussion of barking deterrents. The answer isn’t a simple yes or no, as it depends on the specific method used and how it’s implemented. Some deterrents are designed to be aversive, meaning they create an unpleasant sensation to discourage barking.
Aversive options include anti-barking collars, citronella collars, ultrasonic devices, and muzzles. “Because these devices punish a normal behavior, we don’t recommend these because of the behavioral side effects,” Kohanski says. “Punishing a normal species behavior isn’t humane.”
According to a report by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), anti-bark collars, as a form of remote punishment to reduce the vocalization of dogs, are capable of delivering different forms of aversive stimuli such electric shocks or high-frequency sounds.
The shocks are triggered by vibrations from the dog’s larynx when the dog barks and punishment is delivered immediately. Also, because punishment delivered by collar and is not connected with the owner, it reduces the likelihood that the dog learns to fear or become aggressive towards its owner.
However, high-intensity shocks can cause skin lesions, chronic stress, and fear and pain responses, according to the NLM. For humane reasons, dog owners are likely to prefer less-punishing solutions to their dogs’ barking behavior. In one study, the NLM reports that dog owners preferred citronella-, or lemon-spray collars, which deliver a spray of citronella when a microphone detects barking, over shock collars, because they perceived them as more humane.
Should You Use a Dog Whistle to Stop Barking? Dog whistles, which emit high-frequency sounds inaudible to humans, are a popular and generally considered humane barking deterrent. The idea is that the sound startles the dog and interrupts its barking. However, Kohanski notes, “It’s easier to use a verbal cue like ‘quiet,’ though, as you don’t have to keep up with the whistle.”
Why Dogs Bark
“Because barking is a normal dog behavior, we want to be careful with how we address unwanted barking,” says Nicole Kohanski, founder, dog behaviorist and trainer at Wiggle Butt Academy in Dallas, Texas. “When we punish normal, natural behaviors, we can get unwanted consequences like escalation, redirection, learned helplessness, or increased fear and anxiety.”
Before exploring deterrents, it’s important to understand why your dog is barking. Is it boredom? Anxiety? Territoriality? Pain due to health issues? Addressing the underlying cause is often the most effective way to curb excessive barking.
“I like to use the metaphor of a baby crying to help pet parents understand,” said Kohanski. “If our child was crying, we would use the communication as a clue to investigate what the baby needs. The same goes for our dogs. Because barking is communication, it’s the same type of signal.”
While it may seem like your noisy pup is just barking for the sake of barking, they always have a reason.
“Knowing that your dog has a reason for barking helps resolve issues with compassion and understanding,” according to Cornell DogWatch. If you address the cause of the barking, you’ll be more successful and reduce your dog’s stress more than by using negative enforcement devices.
Nicole Kohanski breaks barking reasons into four categories and subcategories:
Communication and Alerting
Alarm barking: Reacting to sudden noises or movement (e.g., doorbells, strangers).
Territorial barking: Warning of perceived intruders in their space.
Play barking: Expressing excitement and engagement during play.
Greeting barking: showing excitement when seeing familiar people or dogs.
Emotional Responses
Fear barking: Responding to something scary or unfamiliar.
Frustration barking: Occurs when a dog is restrained from something they want (e.g., leash reactivity).
Separation distress: Barking due to anxiety when left alone.
Attention-seeking barking: Trying to get interaction, food, or play from a person.
Physical and Environmental Factors
Boredom barking: Lack of mental and physical stimulation.
Excess energy barking: A way to release pent-up energy when under-exercised.
Medical-related barking: Pain, sound sensitivity, cognitive decline (especially in senior dogs), or hearing loss.
Learned Behaviors
Reinforced barking: The dog has learned that barking gets him what he wants (e.g., attention, food, or opening a door).
Breed tendencies: Some breeds are more vocal due to genetics (e.g., beagles, huskies, shelties).
Finding the Pattern for Barking
It’s helpful to look for patterns. Pay attention to when and where barking occurs. That is, is there a time of day when barking occurs? Maybe it’s an event that your dog monitors like the arrival of the mail or is there a context that results in more barking, such as your grandkids are visiting, says Cornell DogWatch.
If your dog barks at the window, look beyond the immediate area. Check any yards and roads that your dog can see. Listen for unusual sounds, even ones that seem distant. Remember that dogs have great hearing, and they might be reacting to rodents or a noise from a neighbor’s pet.
