As someone who’s spent the last decade supplying pet products to thousands of dog owners, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard the same frustrated complaint: “My dog won’t stop barking, and I’m this close to pulling my hair out—or giving away my best buddy.” Excessive barking is hands down the top issue people come to us about when they’re picking up new collars, calming treats, or puzzle toys, and for good reason. It’s not just annoying—it can strain relationships with neighbors, stress out your dog, and leave you feeling helpless. The good news? You don’t have to just wait for the noise to stop. I’ve worked with trainers, vets, and hundreds of pet parents to put together practical, science-backed steps that actually work, no harsh tools or guilt required. Pet Supply
First, let’s get one thing straight: barking is normal for dogs. It’s their only way to communicate—they don’t text or call to say, “I’m scared of that delivery guy” or “I’m bored out of my mind.” Excessive barking is just their way of saying their needs aren’t being met, so the first rule of fixing it is to stop seeing it as a “bad behavior” and start seeing it as a signal. That small shift in mindset changed everything for my own dog, a 3-year-old beagle named Mabel who used to bark nonstop at every squirrel that crossed our backyard. For months, I’d snap at her to “hush!” which only made her bark more—she thought I was joining in, or that I didn’t understand what was so important. Once I started asking, “What is she actually trying to tell me?” things got way easier.
Now, let’s break down the most common causes of excessive barking, and the solutions tailored to each—plus the pet products that make these steps simpler (I’d be lying if I didn’t throw in some recommendations, since that’s what I do, but all of these are rooted in pet behavior science).
First up: boredom and understimulation. This is the biggest culprit for dogs left alone for long days, or even high-energy breeds like border collies, huskies, or retrievers that were bred to work all day. If your dog is barking when you’re at work, or pacing and barking when you’re just sitting on the couch scrolling, they’re almost certainly saying, “I have nothing to do.” A study from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found that repetitive barking in homebound dogs is directly linked to lack of mental and physical activity—they’re burning energy by being loud because they have no other outlet.
The fix here isn’t just a longer walk (though that helps—dogs need daily exercise, that’s non-negotiable). It’s mental stimulation, which is just as tiring as a run around the park. I remember a customer who brought in a nervous, hyper beagle a year ago, saying he’d barked so much at night that his wife was sleeping in another room. We worked with a certified dog trainer who suggested swapping his 10-minute evening walk for a 30-minute walk where he was allowed to sniff as much as he wanted—sniffing is a dog’s superpower, and it uses way more mental energy than walking on a leash. We also suggested a puzzle feeder, the kind that hides kibble behind little sliding compartments, so when he was home alone, he had to work for his food instead of just scarfing it down in 2 seconds. Within two weeks, his barking dropped by 70%—and the customer came back to buy puzzle feeders for his neighbor, too. If your dog barks when you’re home, try a 15-minute “play session before rest” game: tug-of-war, fetch, or even teaching them a new trick. Even 10 minutes of focused training can tire a dog out more than an hour of walking.
Next: anxiety, especially separation anxiety. This is the most stressful type of barking for both dogs and owners. If your dog only barks when you’re gone, or starts pacing, drooling, or scratching at the door the second you grab your keys, that’s anxiety talking. It’s not that they’re being “naughty”—they’re terrified of being left alone, and their barking is a plea for you to come back. The science here is clear: separation anxiety is a behavioral condition that’s linked to a dog’s attachment style, and it can get worse if you accidentally reinforce the barking. For example, if you come home, they bark, and you say, “Oh, it’s okay, I’m here,” you’re teaching them, “Barking brings my human back.” That’s a super easy habit to fall into, right? I’ve done it myself with Mabel when she barks and I’m tired, and it only makes the cycle stronger.
The fix for separation anxiety isn’t quick, but it’s kind and effective. Start by desensitizing your dog to your departure cues. If you always grab your jacket before leaving, start grabbing your jacket and sitting on the couch for 5 minutes, no departure. Gradually work up to putting on your shoes, then opening the door, then stepping outside for 10 seconds, then 1 minute, building up slowly. Pair these small steps with high-value treats—things they only get when you’re practicing these departures, like a special peanut butter Kong or a calming chew. We carry a line of vet-approved calming chews that use chamomile and L-tryptophan, no sedatives, and many customers say they work great as a temporary crutch while you’re doing the desensitization work. For severe cases, I always recommend pairing behavioral work with a consultation with a vet board-certified in animal behavior, because some dogs need extra support, and that’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
Third: alarm barking, which is barking at strangers, delivery people, or other dogs passing by the window. This is the oldest dog behavior, rooted in their instinct to protect their pack (that’s you). It’s not a bad thing—your dog cares about you, they just don’t know how to react calmly to the scary “intruders.” The common mistake here is yelling “quiet!” or grabbing their muzzle, which can make the barking worse. Why? Yelling is just another noise, and your dog might think you’re barking along with them. Grabbing their muzzle can make them scared, so they’ll bark more out of fear instead of just excitement to alert you.
The science for alarm barking is counterintuitive: you want to teach your dog that the scary thing equals good things. Here’s how it works: when a delivery person walks by, have a high-value treat ready. The second the dog barks, wait 2 seconds (don’t yell), and when they stop barking for even half a second, toss a treat on the floor. Over time, they’ll start to connect, “That person walking by = treats,” so they’ll stop barking to wait for the good stuff. We sell these tiny, high-value treats that are perfect for this—they’re small so you can toss them quickly, and dogs go crazy for them. Another trick: make a “safe space” for your dog, like a crate (if they like crates) or a bed near the window, and when something passes, they get a treat only when they’re on that bed. This teaches them that staying calm in their safe spot gets rewards, while barking doesn’t.
I also want to talk about the mistakes a lot of owners make that make barking worse, because I’ve seen them over and over. First, punishing barking. A study from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that physical punishment (yelling, hitting, muzzling) increases fear and anxiety in dogs, which leads to more barking, not less. Your dog isn’t being stubborn—they’re acting on instinct. Second, being inconsistent. If one day you let your dog bark at a squirrel, and the next day you yell at them for it, they have no idea what the rule is. Stick to the same rules, and everyone will be happier. Third, ignoring their needs. If you just adopted a new dog and they’re barking, don’t assume they’re just testing you—maybe they’re not used to being crated, or they’re hungry, or they heard a thunderstorm and are scared. Take 5 minutes to check in with them, and you might find the solution is way simpler than you thought.
Now, let’s talk about what tools work (and what to avoid, because not all pet products are created equal). The last thing you want is a tool that hurts your dog or makes their anxiety worse. For example, shock collars or citronella collars that spray when they bark—these can cause fear, and many trainers, including the ones we work with, don’t recommend them for long-term use. Instead, opt for positive reinforcement tools like puzzle feeders, interactive toys that dispense treats when your dog plays with them, and well-fitted harnesses that don’t choke them when they pull or bark. We also carry a line of window films that reduce outside noise, which is a game-changer for apartment dogs or dogs that bark at every passerby—less stimulation means less barking.
I’ve seen these steps work for so many different dogs: a 2-year-old terrier mix that barked nonstop at mail carriers, a senior chihuahua that barked when left alone, a high-energy lab that barked at the other dogs at the park. It never happens overnight, but consistency is key. Mabel, my own beagle, still barks at squirrels sometimes, but now she stops when I give her a specific hand signal (I taught that along with the treat trick), and instead of barking for 10 minutes straight, she goes to her bed and waits for her puzzle feeder for the next round. That’s progress, and that’s what we’re all working toward—happy dogs, happy owners.
If you’ve tried these steps and your dog’s barking is still excessive, or you need help choosing the right tools for your specific situation, our team of pet product experts is here to help. We work with trainers and vet techs every day to make sure our products are safe and effective, and we can help you find exactly what you need to stop the barking and get back to enjoying time with your dog. Don’t let frustration take over—your dog wants to be your best friend, and with the right guidance, you can both get back to that.
If you have questions about pet products or want to discuss solutions for your dog’s barking, feel free to reach out to our team to connect and find the right products for you and your furry friend.
Winter Dinnerware Set References
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). (n.d.). Behavior Problems: Barking.
Journal of Veterinary Behavior. (2021). The Effects of Punishment-Based Training on Canine Anxiety and Aggression.
Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin. (2020). Separation Anxiety in Domestic Dogs: Prevalence and Evidence-Based Interventions.
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