Your dog gets hungry in the morning like we all do, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with them barking for breakfast as soon as they wake up. Why do dogs bark for breakfast? Does it mean you need to feed them more, and will they grow out of it at some point?

Today, we’re going to answer all the questions you have about this behavior, and most importantly, we’ll tell you how to stop your dog barking for breakfast. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy your mornings without worrying about what headaches your dog might cause you. So without delaying any longer, let’s get to our article “How to Stop Dog Barking for Breakfast!”

Why Do Dogs Bark for Breakfast?

Dogs bark for breakfast because they’re using what is known as “demand barking,” and you’ve probably shown them that this gets results. It’s pretty simple: your dog is barking for breakfast, and so you give them food. Naturally, your dog will learn that barking for their breakfast gets them what they want, so they keep doing it.

While it’s not unusual, it’s not something that you want to be encouraging. Giving your dog the impression that they can boss you around like this lets them think that they’re in charge, and that demand barking will work to get what they want.

Soon (if not already) your dog will be barking anytime they want something from you, whether it’s food or something else. Your dog’s early morning barking for breakfast will go into barking for their ball non-stop, barking when you go upstairs and they don’t want you to, or barking when you’re eating and they want your food.

Obviously, this will get obnoxious very fast so it’s important that you not reward this. To stop your dog from barking for breakfast and all other types of demand barking, you’ll need to start using behavioral training. You can skip to the last section now where we’ll go over how to do that.

Do I Need to Feed My Dog More if They Bark for Breakfast?

You don’t need to feed your dog more if they bark for breakfast. In fact, this will probably make the problem even worse! When a dog starts barking for food in the morning, it’s due to what is known as demand barking, and giving in and feeding them more will only make the problem grow.

Will My Dog Grow Out of Barking for Breakfast?

Your dog will not grow out of barking for breakfast, as this is a behavioral issue and not one that is age-related. The problem will actually get worse with age, as giving your dog food after they bark will just encourage them to do it even more.

Dogs are descended from wolves, and still think of things in terms of hierarchy within “their pack.” Giving in when your dog is barking for breakfast will give them the idea that they are the leader of the pack, and then your problems will only grow and escalate.

How to Stop Your Dog Barking for Breakfast

To stop your dog barking for breakfast, tell them “no” or “stop” immediately as soon as they start. If they don’t listen, take them into their crate or another room. Wait about 10 minutes before letting them out and serving them their breakfast. But if they behave, you should give them their breakfast right away along with pets and praise.

It’s also a good idea to give them a small treat at bedtime (as long as they’re behaving and not barking to demand one). Ensure that everyone else in the house who feeds your dog, whether it be at breakfast or at any other time, also knows not to give in if your dog is barking for breakfast or any other food.

It will take time, patience, and consistency, but your dog should soon learn that barking for breakfast does not get results, while waiting and being quiet does. Still, you need to address the fact that they ever thought it was okay to engage in this type of demand barking.

And to do that, we should first quickly go over what makes dogs work, and has for thousands upon thousands of years now. We mentioned earlier that dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader.

Well, when your dog uses demand barking to get what they want, they are definitively telling you that they don’t respect you in this role, and there’s a likely possibility that they even see themselves in it. After all, they’re basically giving you orders, and then you comply — so who would you think is actually in charge here?

You can see how allowing this type of thinking in your dog could pose serious problems in your relationship with them.

But how do we fix this?

We fix it by showing your dog that you — and you alone — call the shots. You are their pack leader, and you must be respected and obeyed. Once you’ve done that, your dog will stop barking for breakfast, quit all other demand barking, and end the other behavioral issues you’re likely having due to their pack leader issues (or will be soon).

And don’t worry, because you won’t need to be doing any yelling or screaming or being mean to your dog to make any of this happen.

“Okay good, so I do I do that then?”

You should watch an excellent free video series by a renowned trainer named Dan which is on this exact subject: how to be your dog’s pack leader. In the series, he’ll explain absolutely everything you need to know in ways that are very easy to understand and to teach to your own dog, and he gets right to the point so that you’ll start seeing these important changes in your dog in no time.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. Do so, and your relationship with your dog will never be better. Dan (of course) uses only 100% humane and loving methods at all times. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s the fastest way (and the only way) to achieve permanent changes in your dog’s behavior.

I’m sure you’re looking forward to quiet, peaceful mornings spent with your dog, so I’ll let you get started on things now. Best wishes, and thank you for reading our article “How to Stop Dog Barking for Breakfast.”