Why Is My Dog Barking at Nothing?

Why is my dog barking at nothing? It’s a common question among dog owners — and their neighbors.

There are many theories about this mysterious canine behavior. Some think it’s just an attention-seeking tool, whereas others go so far as to say that dogs have a sixth sense for the supernatural. There’s no conclusive evidence to prove that dogs bark at ghosts (or evidence that they don’t !), so what’s really going on? It’s up to pet parents to interpret and respond accordingly.

Excessive barking can be a real problem, and some cities even have ordinances to protect neighborhoods from overly vocal dogs. In extreme cases, dogs barking at night can make it impossible to get a good night’s sleep.

If you have a vocal pup who’s seemingly barking at nothing, we’ve got answers and solutions.

Human hearing vs dog hearing

For starters, consider that human ears can detect frequencies between 20-20,000 hertz. Meanwhile, dog ears are capable of picking up frequencies between 40-60,000 hertz. What does this mean? When you think your dogs are barking at nothing, chances are, they’re actually barking at something — you just can’t hear it. 

Here’s another awesome feature of dog ears: They can rotate their ears to hone in on the exact location of a sound. (Human ears, of course, could never.) Because of this, dogs have the ability to hear the tiny squeak of a mouse underground or the bark of a faraway neighbor’s dog.

Human smell vs dog smell

Humans have five to six million olfactory receptors, whereas dogs have a whopping 220 million receptors. This enables them to smell exactly what you’ve eaten lately or to perceive what lies beyond solid barriers. There’s even evidence that dogs can smell their person 11 miles away.

A dog’s sense of smell is so acute that they can sniff out drugs and bombs, detect blood sugar levels in their humans, and sense health issues like seizures and cancer.

Their sense of smell can also:

• Help out with pest control by detecting bed bugs
• Sense the coming of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornadoes
• Detect ovulation and pregnancy through the smell of hormones

With so much going on with a dog’s senses, it’s no wonder they bark at things that humans can’t see, hear, or smell.

Common reasons dogs bark

Some dog breeds are known for their constant barking. Maybe you have a pint-sized Yorkshire Terrier that won’t stop yapping at every squirrel they see in the backyard, or a giant Siberian Husky with a howl that can be heard from blocks away. Working dogs like Corgis, Golden Retrievers, and Beagles are also famous for their vocalizations, but dogs of any breed can start barking excessively. Let’s examine a few common explanations.

Distant noises 

Whether it’s a truck driving down the road or a dog barking way off in the distance, your dog will usually respond by barking. Breeds traditionally used as guard dogs will be particularly alert to strange or unexpected sounds.

Protective or territorial barking

When it comes to the safety of their family and home, dogs are inherently protective. This instinct can manifest as barking, which your dog uses to mark the area they perceive as their territory. This is why they often bark at passing dogs and wild animals such as squirrels, birds, or bunnies.

Attention

In every neighborhood, there’s usually at least one dog that barks incessantly. Could they be lonely? The answer is yes. If this description fits your dog — and your dog makes perfect eye contact with you while barking — know that they’re requesting your attention. 

Separation Anxiety

Dogs are pack animals, so in single-dog households, you are their pack. If they’re lonely, they will bark to decrease the space between them and you. If barking doesn’t do the trick, they can revert to destructive behavior such as chewing up your couch, peeing or pooping in the house, or pacing.

Pain and fear

Physical distress might cause your dog to call out to you, especially if you are not within their immediate area. Dogs in pain will usually wander aimlessly or pace around the house for unexplained reasons.

A fearful dog will bark to create distance from the perceived threat. You can also spot a fearful dog by their body language. Their ears will perk back and their tail will point downward or between their legs.

How to reduce excessive barking

By now, it’s clear that barking is a form of communication that needs to be decoded. Here are some ways you can better understand and reduce excessive barking. When in doubt, take a trip to the vet or give a local dog trainer a call.

1. Decode the barking

What type of bark is your dog emitting? For example, there’s a difference between your dog’s excited barking when you’ve just arrived home versus their territorial barking when they see another dog coming down the street. Learning to recognize the difference will help you understand which triggers to be aware of. Once you know the reason for your dog’s barking, it’s much easier to minimize it.

2. Canine behavior training

Most barking problems can be easily solved with canine behavior training, which you can either do by yourself or with a dog trainer. While investing in animal behavior training can be expensive and time-consuming, you and your dog will be happier for it.

3. Remove the motivation to bark

Stimuli located outside your house can trigger your dog’s excessive barking. So make an effort to keep your dog away from the stimuli. For instance, if you notice that your dog barks at passersby that they see through a window, move your dog to another room.

If your dog barks every time they have to pee, train your dog to ring a bell whenever they need to go outside. This will give them an outlet to produce a sound, which will hopefully remove the need for them to bark. Sometimes, a little conditioning can do the trick.

4. Rule out medical issues

Look into any medical issues that might be driving compulsive barking. This behavior is common in dogs with separation anxiety, for instance. A visit with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist is a good start if you’re stumped about why your dog is barking.

5. Play white noise

Playing white noise can reduce the number of outside noises that your dog’s sensitive ears pick up. The white noise drowns out tinier sounds, so your dog can exist in peace.

6. Try pheromone diffusers

Pheromone diffusers can help dogs that are fearful of new smells and sounds. Adding a pheromone diffuser to your home will help them relax because it’s filled with positive dog-appeasing pheromones.

7. When in doubt, run it out

More exercise and mental stimulation will eliminate any pent-up energy creating boredom for your dog, thus reducing the frequency of barking. Going for longer walks or playing with toys may be the solution to your dog’s barking habit. Remember: A tired dog is a quiet dog.

Things to avoid when trying to reduce barking

Bark collars

According to professional dog trainer Khris Erickson, bark collars “address the symptom, but not the cause.” Though bark collars might achieve some success, they’ll ultimately be a temporary fix. Plus, your dog might look for another outlet to release its distress, and that outlet could be another unpleasant behavior like scratching at doors or excessive grooming.

Occlusion muzzles

Though basket muzzles are great for curbing reactive behaviors in dogs (and are actually encouraged by vets and trainers), occlusion muzzles shouldn’t be used to stop barking. This type of muzzle prevents dogs from breathing properly and panting to cool themselves down. Muzzles are meant for short periods of time only. Always consult your vet or trainer before putting one on your dog.

Shock collars

Shock collars are not only painful but can damage your dog’s throat when used incorrectly. They may also cause aggressive behaviors. Steer clear of these.

So, why do dogs bark at nothing?

You may feel like your dog is barking at nothing, but this is likely not the case. Whether it’s a distant sound or smell, boredom, attention seeking, or separation anxiety, there’s usually a reason for their barking. Decode the barks and you can often solve your excessive barking problem.

You love your pup and care about their health and happiness. To get your dog the best care, a pet insurance plan can help you cover eligible vet bills in the future. Learn more about how Pumpkin plans can protect your pup and your wallet.

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