Will my dog eventually stop barking when i leave

If you're wondering, “Why does my dog bark at me when I leave the house?” you may as well be wondering, “Why do I speak?” Barking is your dog’s way of communicating.

By: Furbo

November 15, 2022

undefined min read

If you're wondering, “Why does my dog bark at me when I leave the house?” you may as well be wondering, “Why do I speak?”

Barking is your dog’s way of communicating. The problem is we don’t speak their language, so how can we effectively address the needs of our pup? We’ve listed out a few ways you can respond to your pup when you need to leave the house.

How Do I Stop My Dog From Barking When I Leave?

If your dog is always barking when you leave the house, chances are your dog is trying to stop you from leaving. Your pup may be experiencing distress and anxiety as you leave. If this is the case, there are many ways you can train your dog to stop barking when you’re away from home.

Step 1: Make sure your dog is calm before you leave 

If your dog is barking, crying, or pacing around as you leave, then your pup is most likely feeling anxious, sad, or scared. The first step in helping your dear pooch is to make sure that they  are not suffering from anxiety as you leave. Try to stay calm when you need to leave; don’t make it a big deal or else your dog will feel like it’s the end of the world. Adopt a  leaving ritual, whether that involves putting on your shoes and jacket or some other ritual, so your dog can mentally prepare to be alone.

You can also give your dog a special treat, like a dog bone or chew toy, before you leave. This way, leaving won’t be associated with distress and sadness.

Step 2: Get your pup used to staying alone 

One way to stop your fur baby from crying or barking when you leave is to gradually get them used to you leaving. Start by going just outside the door and coming right back. If your pup did demonstrate anxious behaviors such as barking, whining, or crying, then give them a treat. Extend the amount of time  spent outside the door until your pup becomes used to staying alone. 

If your puppy continues to bark, you may consider obedience training or professional support. Some dogs are more prone to separation anxiety and may need a little extra help getting calm.

How Do I Stop My Puppy From Crying When I Leave?

If you have a young pup, it may be harder to train and stop them from getting upset when you leave. It's just natural for small puppies to want and need time with you. It may be best to hire a pet sitter, at least part of the time, first. You may also consider crate training to get your puppy used to being alone. Start early so your dog will get used to the idea as time grows.

My Dog Barks All Day While I Am at Work. What Can I Do?

Unless your neighbors tell you, you may not know your furry friend is barking or upset all day. After all, when you come in through the door, your furbaby is thrilled to see you and the separation anxiety temporarily disappears.

Furbo Dog Camera is a great tool that lets you know when your dog is barking when you’re away from home. You can set up a bark alert so you will be informed when your furry buddy starts barking so you can keep track of your dog’s possible separation anxiety. You can even use Furbo to dispense treats and talk to your dog remotely to calm them down when they do bark. Be together with your pup, even when apart. 

In more severe cases, a dog will bark, whine or howl for longer than 15 minutes. In general, they sound distressed or panicked, and their barking seems compulsive. The dog might also exhibit other symptoms when they’re alone, such as watchful waiting, pacing, panting, and trying to escape. 

To learn if your dog’s barking might be a sign of separation anxiety, take our quick, free quiz.

Is Your Dog’s Barking Separation Anxiety or Something Else?

There are many, many reasons a dog might bark: 

Boredom:

If a dog isn’t getting enough physical exercise or mental stimulation, they will often bark to burn off excess energy. This type of barking sounds monotonous and may continue for long stretches of time. 

Territorial:

Some dogs will bark whenever they see or hear people or other dogs passing through their “territory.” These dogs will usually continue barking until the “intruders” are gone. This type of barking is low-pitched and often involves growling. 

Alert or alarm:

When your dog hears or sees something they want you to know about, they might let out two to three sharp barks at a time. The barking usually stops once you’ve responded to your dog or the trigger is gone.

Excitement

Dogs that get overly excited in certain situations (e.g., greeting their owner, seeing another dog, anticipating a treat, etc.) might bark. This type of barking is high-pitched, happens in continuous bursts and can involve whining. 

Attention-seeking:

Dogs have learned that barking is an effective way to get our attention (they bark = we look at them, talk to them, pet them). A dog might also bark because they need to go potty, they want to play, or they’re hungry for dinner.

Frustration:

If a dog is trying to reach a person, place or object but is unsuccessful, they might bark to express frustration. This type of barking is typically directed at their intended goal, such as the toy they want to play with. Frustration barking is high-pitched and happens in short bursts.

Playtime:

It’s common for dogs to vocalize when they’re playing with a person, another dog or a toy. These sounds can include huffing, growling and high-pitched barking.

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

An older dog might bark excessively — especially at night — due to dementia. If your dog is a senior and has started barking more than usual for no apparent reason, talk with your veterinarian.

If you think your dog is barking, howling or whining excessively when you’re gone, we recommend setting up a pet camera to find out. Here are some things to look (and listen) for: 

• How long after you leave does your dog start barking? 
• How long does their barking last?
• Do they seem distressed?
• Do they settle down in between episodes?
• Are there any external factors (e.g., delivery person, passer-by, thunderstorm) that might be triggering their behavior?
• Is your dog showing other behaviors and symptoms of separation anxiety, such as escaping, watchful waiting, pacing, or panting?

Neighbors are another possible source of information: they might be able to tell you if your dog is barking only occasionally or continuously, and if they’ve noticed anything that might be upsetting your dog.

Treating Barking Related to Separation Anxiety

If your dog’s vocalization is due to separation anxiety, there are options for treatment, including the Calmer Canine® Anxiety Treatment System, behavior modification training, compression wearables, and more.

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