Last Updated on June 21, 2021 by Dogs Vets
Why is my dog barking at nothing all of a sudden
Dog owners all over the world are used to hearing random barks from their canine friends. Sitting on your couch at night, you may hear your dog suddenly launch into a bark (or howl) fitting at seemingly nothing. This is annoying or disturbing, especially if you rely on your dog to warn you of danger.
No matter how random your dog’s barking seems, there’s usually a reason. Barking is your dog’s way of communicating. The volume and height of his bark can often notify you of the problem.
If you listen closely, you may be able to tell what your dog is trying to communicate based on the different barking sounds he makes.
If you’re a dog owner, you may have wondered at some point if your pup can see things you can’t. I mean, sometimes pups will stand somewhere in a house and bark at seemingly nothing.
Even scarier is when the dog is looking directly at a wall or area of a room while barking, and you can’t see anything.
The question of whether dogs can sense the supernatural has been studied extensively by scientists.
According to Animal Planet, this “sixth sense” that many dog owners believe their pups have may be the result of canine senses being stronger than human senses.
Dogs have exceptional hearing and sense of smell, and the sight of a dog allows it to sense small movements with its eyesight as well.
They can see delicate movements, have a sense of smell 1,000 to 10,000 times stronger than humans and can hear at higher frequencies.
There are many claims of dogs that have sensed when a family member or owner is about to pass away.
There are also many cases where dogs will stay by their owner’s bedside until they die, or even by their grave after they have passed.
Pet psychologist Marty Miller believes that both humans and dogs possess a sixth sense that connects them to the paranormal.
The catch is that humans judge or deny what they experience, while dogs “don’t judge what’s going on in the environment,” making them theoretically more sensitive to the supernatural.
With these crazy canine senses, dogs are often able to sense danger before humans can. For example, before the 2004 tsunami, many animals, including dogs, exhibited behavioral differences and ran for cover or refused to go outside.
Animal experts believe they may have sensed the vibrational changes before the earthquakes shook things up.
The truth is, since dogs can’t offer their explanation, there’s no telling the reason behind a dog barking at what seems like nothing.
Until the dog can tell us about the friendly ghost Caspar that haunts our home, we won’t know whether Fido can sense ghosts or not.
Miller states that there is no way to know if dogs can actually see ghosts or not, but she believes that “if you observe a dog standing in a corner barking at nothing visible, then there is a pretty good chance it is barking at an object, spirit or energy that doesn’t belong there. ”
Why is my dog barking at nothing – 5 things you need to know
What is your dog trying to say?
Dogs bark for different reasons and some breeds are bred for barking. Your dog may be seeking your attention, bored, worried, frustrated, greeting you, raising an alarm, or establishing/defending territory. What is your dog trying to tell you? Here’s a quick guide to help you better understand your furry companion’s barking.
DOG WANT ATTENTION
Your dog wants your attention and may bark in hopes of getting more of it. Or he wants you to do something for him. He will generally look you in the eye along with that bark. To discourage this behavior, avoid looking your dog in the eye or reacting.
Also, don’t talk to him to keep him quiet, and don’t yell at him to shut up – he’s more likely to take this acknowledgment as approval or encouragement.
WHEN THE DOG IS BORED…
Most dog owners know this bark. Does your dog bark like he enjoys his own voice? This is usually a puppy that is bored and trying to release excess energy. A tired dog is more likely to be a quiet dog, so your dog would probably benefit from a nice walk.
WHEN DOG IS FRUSTRATED!
That bark is strong and in your face. It definitely says, “I’m FRUSTRATED! I’m not just bored anymore. Now I’m mad and I need to be heard!” This is a great time to take your cute pup and head outdoors for a little one-on-one time if possible to release the frustration.
Allowing your dog to bark to demand your actions will only increase the barking behavior. It’s harder, but better to train them. Use an authoritative “Quiet” command, then reward him once he stops barking. Our expert ULPS training team can help.
I AM TRAINED!
Some dogs bark as a way to calm themselves down. You may hear your puppy barking with a very high-pitched sound that may be accompanied by whimpering.
If your dog has separation anxiety issues or another fear or phobia, this is the bark you are likely to hear.
It may be accompanied by walking in circles or pacing. In this case, it’s okay to comfort him.
WHEN A DOG HEARS OR SEES SOMETHING YOU DON’T …
When our furry companions want to keep us safe, it’s the bark that really alerts us. It’s also the one that will probably confuse us the most and make us think our dogs aren’t barking at anything.
A dog’s hearing is four times greater than ours and they can smell up to 100,000 times more accurately than we can.
Your dog probably hears or smells an animal walking around … but be alert just in case. Your dogs’ keen senses may be warning you of an intruder or that something is wrong.
WHEN YOUR DOG IS TERRITORIAL
Dogs are territorial and you may hear excited barking when someone comes to the door while he warns them to stay away. Or he may bark at another animal that dares to come into his yard.
These barks are loud and authoritative. We can help you train him to remain calm when guests arrive, or at least not to get so excited.
WHEN DOGS ARE REALLY EXCITED!
This is a bark that most pet owners don’t mind. The bark that says ” Look at me! I’m so happy you’re home” or “I’m so excited to go play!“. You’ll often hear this cheerful, happy bark when you’re on your way for a walk or when you’re playing outside.
Dogs need their bark to communicate their needs and what they are feeling. It is important to learn to listen to what they are saying. And as your advocate, keep in mind that sometimes your dog’s barking at what seems like nothing can be cause for concern.
And so whether your pup is barking at the energy or spirit of someone who has passed, or just barking at the wafting smell of something delicious your neighbours are cooking, we may really never know for sure.
What we do know is that dogs are pretty awesome, and those superhero senses they have only make them even cooler.
Fact Check
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Reference: Unionlakepetservices.com
