Barking is not a "problem." It’s communication!

If you dismiss a bark as “bad behavior,” you’ll miss what it’s trying to tell you. Dogs bark to share information (alert), ask for something (contact, help, space), or discharge feelings (fear, frustration, excitement). There is always a reason! 

Explore the Cause 🔍

Barking can be rooted in instinct, emotion, unmet needs, or any combination of these!

• At Nordic, we aim to help you understand how to uncover the root causes behind behavioral issues. We’ll look at how pain, discomfort, illness, stress, and unmet needs often drive what we interpret as misbehavior—and why no amount of training can “fix” a dog that’s in pain. You’ll also discover how improper socialization, lack of appropriate stimulation, or even unsuitable training methods can create lasting problems.

• ✅ What to do: If you're a CARE member, you can check out Lisbeth's Webinar on "Understanding the Root Causes of Behavioral Issues" here!

Consider the Breed & Natural Instincts

• Some breeds were quite literally bred to bark a lot! Dogs evolved as natural hunters, defenders, and social animals, with survival traits that remain strong today. It's important to consider what your dog was bred for so you can support their natural behaviors and instincts. 

• ✅ What to do: you'll need to have extra patience if you have a particular talkative breed like a husky, a hound, or a shepherd! If you're a CARE member then you can check out our Turid Rugaas webinar called "The Heritage of Dogs: Honoring Ancient Instincts" to learn more about how you can support their natural behaviors. 

• ✅ What to do: Also make sure you rule out pain or physical conditions before proceeding. Consider a vet check or professional gait analysis for chronic or subtle issues. And make sure to check out Monica Allaire-McMahon's Masterclass on Identifying Pain & Discomfort.
   

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Decode the Bark: What is your Dog Saying?

Turid Rugaas has identified 7 different types of barks

The science behind barking is fascinating, and to decode a bark you are going to have to look for three crucial clues to figure out what type of bark you are hearing. 

• Sound (pitch, rhythm, speed) Is the pitch mostly high or low? Is the pattern staccato bursts or long, drawn-out calls/howls? Does the rhythm/intensity stay steady or build/escalate? Do you hear any growls or yelps mixed in?

• Body Language (posture, ear/tail carriage, weight shift, eye focus) Is the posture upright/forward or leaning away/crouched? Where are the ears and tail (forward/up vs back/tucked)? Is the dog pacing/jumping/weight-shifting or pulling against a leash/barrier? Are the eyes fixed on something, scanning, or seeking you (nudging/leaning in)?

• Context (any preceding or upcoming events, distance,restraint, novelty) What just changed (new person/noise/object, restraint, separation, end/start of play)? How close is the trigger; is the dog on leash/behind a barrier? Is the dog trying to move toward something or away from it? What state were they in 30–60 seconds before (resting, anticipating)?

•  ✅ What to do: Start making observations! If you're a CARE member then you can start identifying if your dog is doing a certain type of bark (alert, frustration, connection...) by checking out our Turid Rugaas webinar called "Vocal Language of Dogs: Decoding a Bark" to understand the 7 types of barking and which one(s) you might be hearing!

Respond with Compassion

Your response to a bark should correlate with what your dog is trying to say. 

• They may be communicating an unmet need, asking for space (you can try giving them more distance, slower pace), requesting connection (give brief reassurance, calm presence), trying to get relief from discomfort, or any number of things! It will take some trial and error to figure out the best way to support your dog in these moments. Always answer the need by changing the situation and offering clear communication to your dog.
  
  

•  ✅ What to do: If you're a CARE member, start with our Learning Path on Enrichment to make sure that your dog's basic needs are being met. This alone will sometimes decrease barking! You can also check out How to Use the Hand Signal so you can offer your dog clear communication about what to do next. 

 

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Put it Together: Conversation, Not Conflict

As Always, Avoid Punishment

• Remember: Reframe barking for yourself, it's communication, not a problem behavior. Barking is okay! Right and wrong is made up by humans! Your dog should be able to communicate with you if they need something. Use it as a moment of connection instead of a point of conflict.
  

• ✅ What to do: Use kindness and consistency. Teach your dog that you can be trusted to keep them safe and they can always come to you for help with big feelings. 

Barking is not an exact science

• Barking is communication and like other kinds of communication it is NOT an exact science. Your dog may be mixing types of barking, trying one and then the other, the possibilities are endless! (and fascinating!!)

• ✅ What to do: Stay as curious as you can about what your dog is trying to tell you. Make sure their needs are being met and their emotions aren't being ignored. 

Reach out for support when you need it

• Your dog isn't the only one who needs help managing their emotions! Many moments of dog guardianship can come with frustration and anxiety, and it's important to use your community for support during these times. 
  
  
• ✅ What to do: Find a community rooted in force-free methods who won't encourage you to use punishment to manage barking. The CARE Community is an excellent choice if you don't already belong!

Need help with the reframe? Check out Lisbeth's Webinar!

Remember, Barking is Normal!

As we've covered, barking is a totally normal and expected canine behavior. By challenging yourself to understand the meaning behind the bark, you will be able to view barking as more of a conversation and less of a conflict. It's actually fascinating when we tune into our dog's language and start understanding them as individuals. 

 And as always, CARE members can post in our Ask a Dog Professional forum where our Nordic Dog Training Professionals are there 7 days a week to answer your questions within 24 hours. Or if you prefer to join a live session we hold those regularly too, and you can submit your question and then join the live session to add context and get some guidance.

This kind of personalized support is perfect if you'd like help in your journey or clarification on any of these steps. Remember to let them know what you've already watched, what you're working on, and exactly where you and your dog are stuck so you can get the best advice possible. 💛