They greet us happily as soon as we step in the door.
But what if your dog barks non-stop every time you come home? It has now become unbearable.
You start thinking:
“Is my dog telling me something?
Is there something wrong?”
Continue reading to find out:
- When you can consider it as an alarming behavior.
- 5 tips on how to train them to be calmer in greeting you.
- 9 possible reasons why your dog barks non-stop when you arrive.
- And much much more…
Why does my dog bark when I arrive home?
Your dog barks when you arrive home because they are excited to see you. It can also mean that they are hungry, anxious, bored, or afraid. They may also need a change of environment or just acting protective. You also need to consider poor vision or that they haven’t recognized you.
9 reasons why your dog barks when you arrive home
#1: Your dog is excited to see you
You are gone for the whole day. The dog is alone and needs a companion.
Once they sense that you are at the door, they get excited and start to bark when you arrive.
Your dog is happy that you’re home. It is not something that you should worry about.
Especially if it involves a lot of tail wagging. They are simply saying, “I am so glad you are back.”
Show them calmly that you feel the same way. You can pat your pet or say “hello” softly.
Greet your dog by touching them. It is a good way to form a bond.
A touch plus a happy and calm tone of voice is positive encouragement for your dog.
Whereas shouting and being dramatic can make them anxious.
#2: Your dog is hungry
It was a long day. You overlooked the time.
You forgot that it is past their mealtime.
When you arrive, your doggy starts to bark loudly.
The dog bowl is empty. There is no more food and water. Your furry friend starts shoving it.
They want you to know, “I am so hungry.” Your pet’s sad eyes tell you so.
The barking stops when you give your dog food and water. Problem solved.
The next time you are gone for a long time. Keep in mind to leave enough food and water to last for the day.
A hungry dog can get aggressive. It is necessary to feed your dog two times a day.
A better meal schedule includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Dogs should not be hungry for more than 12 hours. It may make your pet dizzy.
So if you will be gone for 12 hours or more, ask someone to feed your dog kindly.
#3: Your dog does not recognize you
They see a faint shadow coming in. Your dog thinks it’s you but not a hundred percent.
Your dog cannot see your face. They can only catch a glimpse. The intense barking starts.
Dogs naturally bark at strangers. If they do not recognize you, it is their instinct to bark.
Your dog is asking, “Who are you?!”
A study about vision in dogs revealed that they have worse visual acuity than humans.
It means they cannot see everything in detail, especially if it is far.
They bank on their sense of smelling and hearing more.
#4: Your dog is bored and lonely
Another reason why your dog barks when you arrive is to signal playtime.
The whole time you were gone, your dog was alone. Your furry friend can get bored too.
If they usually enjoy walking or playing with you, a missed day may feel like forever.
The barking is your dog’s way of saying, “It’s time to play!”
Take a moment to play with your dog before you go.
You can also leave a toy so they will be a little less lonely while you are away.
Do you have a puppy? Leaving them alone requires a bit of training.
Do not expect your puppy to cope with being alone immediately.
#5: Your dog is anxious
How to know if your dog feels anxious while you are away?
Your dog, who loves to follow you around, keeps on barking before you leave.
They turned the house upside down to express their feelings of stress and anxiety.
There is a lot of pacing and drooling.
It is your dog’s way of saying, “I thought you would be gone forever.”
It is adorable, but it is better to help your dog overcome it.
#6: Your dog wants to protect you
You arrived home with some friends that your dog does not recognize.
Your dog’s barks have become aggressive. You can hear them growl.
They bared their teeth at the visitors. Dogs have an instinct to become protective.
Their aggressive barking is a way to say, “I will protect you.”
It can happen as well when they feel threatened over their space or with a toy they own.
Check out also: These 13 Signs Show That Your Dog Is Protective Over You
#7: Your dog is afraid
When your arrival is so sudden that you startled your dog, it can induce fear.
They may not have seen you coming. You may have barged in suddenly.
You see your dog cowering, tucking their tail, and with flattened ears.
The barking is to convey, “You startled me!”
Just like humans, dogs can feel negative emotions such as fear and anxiety.
As a dog owner, you can help them to overcome these emotions step by step.
Further reading: Why Do Dogs Walk Slowly With Their Tail Down? 7 Reasons + 3 Tips
#8: Your dog has poor vision
As a part of aging, your dog may already have poor vision.
Your dog’s breed and genetics may affect the quality of its eyesight.
Larger dogs such as german shepherds see better at night versus small dogs like pugs.
Since they cannot see you well, they bark loudly as if saying, “Who are you?”
It’s quite difficult to notice if your dog has lost their vision.
Since their sense of smelling and hearing are strong, they will use it to compensate.
#9: Your dog wants a new environment
Barking once you arrive can be a way for your dog to say, “It’s too cold in here!”
or “I’m getting scorched.”
Your dog may feel uncomfortable in their space. Check if it’s too hot or too cold.
If your dog feels cold, you may notice that they are hunched or shivering.
On the other hand, drooling and panting mean they feel hot.
There can be many reasons why your dog is uncomfortable.
A noisy environment can be a reason too. Quiet spaces are what your doggy prefers.
Your dog should have a safe and stress-free space where they can relax.
We all need that, right? Put some dog furniture like a soft bed.
There should also be enough room for your pet to move.
A confined and tight space is not relaxing.
There are some areas in your home that you can turn into a space for your dog.
An extra room, a large closet, somewhere in the corner, or under the stairs are lovely spaces to convert.
Keep in mind to remove harmful stuff before letting your dog stay.
No more room inside? Your dog will also love a safe space outdoors.
Check this to help you build an outdoor pet area:
How do I get my dog to stop barking when I come home? 5 tips
#1: Call out your dog’s name
Dogs are better at hearing and smelling. If you call out your dog’s name when you arrive, they will be less startled.
Upon hearing your voice, they will recognize it’s you. Your dog will not think you are a stranger entering the house.
It instantly calms them. Rather than arriving unannounced, letting them know makes your dog feel secure.
What if you are coming home with some friends?
No need to fret. You can do proper training to calm your dog.
In the meantime, avoid situations that may cause them to become aggressive.
Scenes like barging in loudly when you arrive can alarm them.
Avoid entering the house loudly. You can also keep your doggy in an area where they will not immediately see other people.
When your doggy is aggressive, avoid screaming at them.
It does not help at all. Calmness is the key to soothing a territorial dog.
#2: Play with your dog before leaving
Do you have an active dog? Are they used to walking or playing daily?
Play with your dog before you leave. You can also leave toys to keep them company while you are away.
It lessens their boredom and makes them preoccupied.
You can also do exercises like a quick walk.
Devoting time to walk your dog or play with them should be part of your schedule.
A few minutes during the day doesn’t hurt.
#3: Train your dog to keep calm
You are about to leave the house. You keep on saying goodbye to your lovely pet.
We know that you will miss them but making a big deal about leaving is not a good idea.
Dogs can pick up your emotions. It may cause your pet to become clingy all of a sudden and anxious.
Once you arrive, train your pet to keep calm by ignoring their barks.
When your furry pal stops barking, encourage them with treats.
Sometimes, a calm and soothing voice is what they need.
You can say, “Good job or well done” softly.
Another way is to leave them with some music on.
A study revealed that reggae and soft rock could help your furry pal relax.
But remember, volume is a big factor. Make sure it is not too loud.
Take note that you should be consistent in training your dog. Being calm today and screaming the next day will not help at all.
Prepare yourself as well before training them. Do not train your dog when you are stressed.
Relax first.
Train them for a few days by leaving a toy in the room. You can go quietly once your puppy is busy.
Edible toys are a good form of distraction. It keeps them busy and happy.
After you are back, reward your fur baby with a treat. Praises are a must too.
#4: Check your dog’s environment
You should make sure your dog is comfortable in their area. Check if it is too hot or too cold.
An uncomfortable environment makes them aggressive or fearful. A quiet and safe place is a must.
It won’t hurt to give them fresh food and water as well.
As a dog owner, it is your task to ensure your pet’s comfort.
Put yourself in your dog’s shoes. Think about, “How can I make this space comfortable for them?”
What if your dog is anxious since they are alone in their space?
There are ways to help an anxious dog.
Leave some of your old clothes while you are away.
Treats and toys can also help in keeping them company.
Plush puzzle toys are a great idea to distract them.
#5: Examine your dog’s eyes
Are your dog’s eyes cloudy or grayish? Maybe it’s high time to bring Fido to a vet.
The health history of your dog’s parents is also important. Vision problems are inherited.
Early detection or intervention can help lessen the problem.
As we always say, prevention is better than cure.
Help your dogs preserve their eyesight by visiting the vet.
Diabetes and eye trauma can cause vision problems.
How to avoid it? A healthy diet for your doggy is a must.
Eye trauma can be caused by dog fights or sharp objects around your home.
Protect your doggo from these things.
You can observe if your dog has poor vision. They may not have eye contact with you.
Dogs can either be clingy or aggressive when they have an eye problem.
It may be difficult to confirm since they can adjust easily.
The best option you can do is to have them checked if you suspect an eye problem.
The two most common eye problems in dogs are cataracts and glaucoma.
Your dog can get blind due to a cataract. It blocks the light that enters the eyes.
Surgery can help to prevent it from getting worse. If untreated, it can lead to glaucoma.
The sad thing about glaucoma is it can lead your dog to permanent blindness.
It can damage the optic nerve, which has no cure.
You would not want this to happen to your furry friend.