Do dogs outgrow excessive barking?
Written by
Robert Brown
Reviewed by
Prof. Henry Webster, Ph.D.Dogs won't naturally outgrow bad barking habits without intervention. Some of the vocalizations used to get attention may decrease in a puppy with age, but barking due to anxiety or territoriality tends to increase with age. Having rehabilitated hundreds of dogs, I can say that barking habits, like any other habit, will become self-reinforcing if not worked on from a structurally correct perspective.
Attention-Seeking Barking
- Peaks at 4-8 months during developmental phases
- Diminishes naturally only if consistently ignored
- Persists into adulthood when accidentally rewarded
- Requires redirection training for permanent resolution
Territorial/Anxiety Barking
- Intensifies with age as protective instincts strengthen
- Becomes compulsive without intervention
- Escalates during maturity (1-3 years old)
- Requires behavior modification for reduction
Breed-Specific Tendencies
- Herding breeds maintain alert barking instincts
- Hound vocalization patterns become ingrained
- Guardian breeds increase territorial responses
- Companion breeds develop demand barking habits
The ideal results stem from an implementation of early intervention. Implement training for the puppy before the vocal patterns have been fixed. Four months is the recommended time for starting quiet command work, as this will help prevent habitual barking and aid in the prevention of crying due to excitement and anxiety.
Adult dogs require individualized methods for barking, which is a learned behavior. Use desensitization combined with alternative behaviors. My method of success is to do 15-minute sessions daily using quiet alternatives. Consistency is the key to establishing new neural pathways, including in older dogs.
Realistically frame expectations. It's not normal for a dog to be tranquil, but we can achieve a substantial noise reduction. I show the owner how to measure success in terms of less time or intensity, as opposed to the dog never barking. A 50% reduction in your dog's barking is a substantial benefit.
Read the full article: Effective Dog Barking Solutions for Peace
