Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Punish Your Dog If He Barks

We love that our dog barks while we play with him or to defend our home. But if your dog does it when he shouldn’t, it can be annoying for you and those around you. We tell you why you should not punish your dog if he barks.

Although it may seem annoying on some occasions, the truth is that we should not punish him, because his behavior is normal. As their way of communicating is very different from ours, we think that their barking is a strange behavior.

Therefore, we tell you several reasons why not to punish your dog if it barks.

6 reasons why you shouldn’t punish your dog if he barks

There are many reasons why a dog barks and it has reasons for it. However, if after analyzing them, you notice that your dog is overindulging for no apparent reason, it is better that you go to the vet and examine him. However, here are some reasons why you should not punish your dog if he barks, as he does:

1. For communicating. Unlike us, dogs cannot speak, and their way of communicating is by barking. He may bark to “talk” to you, to ask for food or water, or attention. You can do it to communicate with other animals, whether they are conspecifics or not.
2. Afraid. If your dog feels threatened by something, or thinks you are in danger and feels unable to protect you, it will bark. Do you think you should punish him for it? Definitely not.
3. Play. This is one of the most common causes why our dog barks. He loves to bark at us while we play with him. It will also do it with other dogs, other pets or other people. Just as we laugh while we play, his barking is the way he expresses his joy.
4. Hunting. Even if your dog is not a hunting dog, whenever it goes out, it is on the lookout for something to eat. The joy of finding it may make you bark. It will do more if it is with other pets, to warn them.
5. Separation anxiety If a dog spends a lot of time alone separated from its owner, its way of expressing its loneliness and sadness will be through barking. If the owner leaves it tied up or on a balcony alone, it will be more likely to do so. If you see a case like this, report it!
6. Alarm. A strange sound or a strange smell near your house will alarm the dog and it will bark to warn you. One more reason why you should not punish him.

5 more reasons why your dog barks

1. Because of you. It is possible that your dog barked as a child and you encouraged that barking. Now it bothers you, but be honest, whose fault is it?
2. Pain. If your animal hurts something, the way to mitigate its pain will be by barking. Remember that it is the only way you have to communicate.
3. Stress. Repetitive behaviors are a sign of stress or anxiety in dogs. In the same way that some turn on themselves all the time, it is possible that yours has given to bark. Instead of thinking that you should punish him, think that he has a problem that you should try to solve.
4. Demand attention. If you spend many hours working, your dog will surely go crazy when you return home. You may be tired and want to take a shower and rest. Your dog does not understand this, so it will claim your attention by barking. Pay him a little attention.
5. Frustration. Animals also get frustrated when they don’t understand something. For example, if they hear a child cry, they don’t know why he is crying, so they bark.

These are some normal causes in which a dog will bark and for which you should not punish him. Be patient and loving, spend time with your pet and help him with any problems he presents.