Why Do Dogs Bark at Nothing?

Co-authored by Brad Greene and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: February 25, 2023 References

Woof! Your dog won’t stop barking, but you can’t see or hear what’s bothering them. Could your furry friend be chatting with a ghost, or is there a more scientific explanation for what’s going on? Not to worry—we’re here to help you decode why exactly your dog is barking at nothing, and how you can get them to pipe down. With a little detective work, both you and your dog can enjoy a little more peace and quiet.

Things You Should Know

Dogs don’t actually bark at nothing—they’re most likely barking at something that you can’t hear or smell.
There can be many different reasons for barking, including fear, boredom, or separation anxiety. If you can learn the triggers that lead to the barking, this will help inform you of the reason for the behavior.
Dogs also bark randomly when they’re seeking attention, feeling bored, dealing with separation anxiety, or experiencing pain.
Soothing sounds, pheromones, and targeted training techniques are all possible ways to stop your dog’s random barking.
Avoid silencing your dog with shouts, bark or shock collars, and/or soft muzzles.

Section 1 of 4:

Why is my dog barking for no reason?

1
They hear or smell something that you can’t. According to some scientists, a dog’s sniffer is anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than the average person’s.^{[1]
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Research source} Your furry friend also has more sensitive hearing; while most humans can’t hear anything above 20,000 Hz, dogs can hear into the 47,000 - 65,000 range.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source} Chances are, your dog is barking at something very real—it just might be something you can’t hear or smell.
- Dogs often bark to warn of potential danger or to express their territory. If your dog hears or smells something out of the ordinary, they might bark for either of those reasons.
- Dogs also like to bark when they hear other canine friends in the area. If your dog hears another pup bark from all the way down the street, they might just be barking to say “hi.”^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source}
2
They don’t feel like they’re getting enough attention. Dogs love to spend time with their owners and will often bark or whine until you notice them. If you’re minding your own business and your dog starts barking at you for no apparent reason, they’re probably trying to get your attention.^{[4]
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3
They’re feeling bored. Dogs need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to be content and entertained. If your pooch starts barking randomly, it might be their way of saying “I want to play!” or “I’m so bored!”^{[5]
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4
They’re struggling with separation anxiety. Dogs crave quality time with their owners and a steady routine. When one or both of these factors change—like their owner heading into work for the day—a dog might display separation anxiety by barking, howling, whining, or pacing.^{[6]
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- This barking will be “random,” but it’ll most likely happen when you’re about to leave home.
- Separation anxiety often happens when a dog experiences some sort of major transition, like a move, a birth or death in the family, or a trip to a kennel or vet office.
5
They’re experiencing a lot of pain or feeling disoriented. Barking is the main way dogs communicate how they’re feeling. If your pup is hurting or feeling under the weather, they might bark to say “I’m in a lot of pain” or “I don’t feel so hot.”^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}

Section 2 of 4:

How do I decode my dog’s barking?

Pay close attention to their tone and body language. Just as humans don’t speak in the exact same tone of voice all the time, dogs also don’t bark in a single, uniform way constantly. Listen and watch your dog to decode their barks in different circumstances—a dog wagging their tail might be barking in happiness, while a dog barking with their hackles raised might be angry.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Think where your dog is when they start barking, along with what time of day it is.^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  Go to source} These factors might play into your dog’s seemingly random barking fit.
- The frequency of your dog’s barks can clue you into their mood, too. An isolated bark might indicate surprise or annoyance, while a series of barks indicates a stronger, more intense emotion.
- Quick, rapid barks often correlate with aggression. If your dog seems to be barking nonstop, they might be feeling tense or aggressive^{[10]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}

Section 3 of 4:

How do you get your dog to stop barking at nothing?

1
Turn on some background noise. While you can’t remove every offending sound that might bother your dog, you can fill up their living space with new sounds. A white noise machine or box fan are both great ways to mask some potentially triggering sounds, even if you can’t hear them.^{[11]
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- If your dog barks every night around 8:00 PM, you might switch on a box fan and see if the noise helps your dog calm down.
2
Soothe your dog with a pheromone diffuser. Products like Adaptil put out “appeasing pheromones” in the air, which help your dog feel calmer.^{[12]
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Research source} Just plug the pheromone diffuser into a room where your furry friend spends the most time barking.^{[13]
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- You can also get a pheromone-diffusing collar for your dog, as well as a bottle of sprayable pheromones. Pheromone collars are good for about 4 weeks, while a single spritz of pheromone spray is good for around 4 hours.
3
Teach your dog to be quiet on command. Train your dog by giving them the chance to bark 2-3 times in a row. Then, firmly tell your pet “Quiet” before they can bark again. If your dog quiets down, reward them with a treat. If your dog continues to bark, guide them into another room and have them do some tricks—this stops them from barking by distracting them with a different activity.^{[14]
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- Whenever your dog barks at nothing in the future, use the “Quiet” command to get them to calm down.
4
Ignore your pup if they’re barking for attention. Don’t say anything to your dog when they’re bothering you, even if it’s “Please stop!” or “I’m trying to focus.” In your dog’s mind, any kind of verbal response is a form of attention (even if you’re not praising them). Instead, be quiet and ignore your dog until they quiet down. At that point, give them plenty of treats and praise.^{[15]
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- If your dog refuses to quiet down, give them a basic command, like “sit.”^{[16]
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5
Give your dog plenty of exercise and entertainment. It’s a simple formula—the more playtime and exercise your dog gets, the less likely they are to bark at you out of boredom.Help your furry friend get plenty of exercise each day, whether that’s going for a walk, playing in the dog park, or running around the yard.^{[17]
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- Take your dog on longer walks if they still seem rammy and full of bored, pent-up energy.
- Puzzle toys, obedience training sessions, and scent-related games are other great ways to tire out your dog.
- Your dog’s age and breed both factor into how much exercise they need.^{[18]
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6
Set up a stair gate to help your dog with their separation anxiety. Stair gates barricade your dog in one area without completely blocking them off from you—this way, your dog can get used to being “apart” from you even when you’re still at home. Place the stair gate in front of the room or area you plan on keeping your dog in when you’re away.^{[19]
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- Stair gates can go at the bottom or top of a staircase, or inside of a doorframe. They have large, wide slats that allow your dog to see (and smell!) out.
- Call your vet or a canine behaviorist if your dog continues to struggle with separation anxiety.
7
Take your dog to the vet if they’re in pain. In addition to barking, a pained dog will have a higher pulse than usual, along with a smaller appetite overall. They might also take longer to move around. Pay attention to their behavior and mannerisms to see if something is up.^{[20]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Not totally sure if your dog is injured? Call up your vet and let them know what symptoms you’re noticing. They can give you an expert opinion on whether your dog needs medical attention or not.

Section 4 of 4:

What Not to Do

1
Never shout at your dog when they bark. Your dog doesn’t actually understand what you’re saying when you shout—all they know is that you’re making noise along with them (which, a lot of the time, is exactly what they want!). If anything, yelling at your dog only proves to them that persistent barking will eventually get your attention.^{[21]
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Trustworthy Source
The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
Go to source}
2
Steer clear of bark and shock collars. Bark and shock collars create an uncomfortable sensation (like a burst of scented spray or an electric shock) that forcefully quiets your dog down. These collars can cause a lot of psychological (and sometimes physical) pain for your dog, which you definitely don’t want.^{[22]
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- These types of collars only stop barking at the moment, too. They won’t change your dog’s barking habits in the long-term.
3
Never use soft muzzles as a long-term solution for barking. A soft muzzle prevents your dog from panting, drinking water, and eating. If you have to use a soft muzzle, make sure it’s only on for really short periods of time.^{[23]
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Trustworthy Source
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
Go to source}
- Always use a basket muzzle if you need to muzzle your dog for a long stretch of time. These muzzles are much larger than soft ones and give your pup plenty of room to slurp water, nibble on small treats, and pant.^{[24]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Animal Humane Society
  Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners
  Go to source}