Dog barking when left alone and ready to get to the steps that’ll help? Skip below by clicking here! Today, we’ll teach you all you need to understand and address why your dog barks when you leave and how you can help them feel more secure. We’ll discuss effective ways to calm your dog when you’re about to leave, including an easy command to stop their barking.

We’ll also get into the deeper issue of separation anxiety, letting you know exactly what’s going on and how to treat it. If you’ve recently moved into a new apartment and your dog has started barking more, we’ll cover how to help them adjust. Keep reading to learn how to create a calmer, quieter departure!

My Dog Barks When I Leave

Your dog barks when you leave likely due to separation anxiety or a reaction to the change in environment. This behavior is common in dogs who feel anxious or stressed when their owner departs, and it can be addressed through training and behavior modification.

Dog Barks When I Leave, What Do I Do?

If your dog barks when you leave, it’s important to understand the root cause. It could be due to separation anxiety, boredom, or a need for more exercise. Gradually acclimating your dog to your absence, providing engaging toys, and ensuring they get enough physical and mental stimulation can be effective in reducing this behavior.

How to Calm Dog When You Leave

To calm your dog when leaving, try creating a positive association with your departure. Leave them with a favorite toy or a treat-dispensing puzzle to keep them occupied. Establishing a routine and practicing departures can also help. Gradually increase the time you’re away to build their tolerance and confidence.

How to Stop Dog Barking When You Leave

1. Identify Triggers: Observe what specifically triggers your dog’s barking when you leave. It could be actions like picking up keys or putting on shoes.
2. Desensitize to Triggers: Repeatedly expose your dog to these actions without leaving to break the association with your departure.
3. Teach the ‘Quiet’ Command: When your dog barks, calmly say “Quiet” and wait for them to stop barking. Once they stop barking, even for a brief moment, immediately reward them with a treat and praise. If they resume barking, repeat the command. Be patient and consistent. Practice this regularly in various situations to reinforce the training.
4. Provide Distractions: Leave them with something to do, such as a toy or a treat puzzle.
5. Gradual Departures: Practice leaving for short periods and gradually increase the time you’re away, rewarding calm behavior.

Your dog barking when you leave the house or apartment is a common issue that can be addressed through training, providing adequate mental and physical stimulation, and creating a positive environment.

But while these steps will stop the barking, it’s important to remember that the underlying behavioral issues (separation anxiety, boredom, etc.) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present.

And until you address those directly, you’ll continue to see problems in other areas.

“Well, how do I do that then”

You do it by developing their intelligence, that’s how! When they’re truly given the mental stimulation they need — in a loving, fun, instructional way — all their behavioral problems will quickly become a thing of the past.

To make this happen, you’ll play 21 “brain” games with your dog all developed by Adrienne, a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer whose work has been featured in USA Today and Every Dog magazine. See her incredible results in this video with a dog named Maggie (scroll down).

Adrienne’s training games will end all your dog’s bad behavior while also teaching them to sit, lie down, stay, heel, drop, and walk by your side. It’s all very simple and will be an absolute blast for you both. She explains how her system works here, go take a look!

Why Does My Dog Bark When I Leave?

Your dog barks when you leave typically due to separation anxiety or discomfort with being alone. This response can be driven by a fear of isolation or a lack of stimulation, leading to barking as a way of expressing distress or an attempt to call you back.

How to Treat Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Treating separation anxiety in dogs involves creating a calm environment, establishing a routine, and gradually getting them used to your absence. Providing engaging toys and ensuring they have adequate exercise can also help reduce their anxiety levels.

Learn more about calming your dog when you leave by going back to the first section.

How to Keep Dog Quiet in Apartment When You Leave

To keep your dog quiet in the apartment when you leave, start by creating a positive association with your departure, such as giving them a favorite toy or treat. Establishing a calm and routine departure can also help reduce their anxiety. It’s important to avoid overly emotional goodbyes or hellos, as these can heighten their stress.

Dog Barking in New Apartment

If your dog is barking in a new apartment, it may be due to unfamiliarity with the new environment. Moving with a dog can be difficult, but you can make them feel more at ease by using familiar scents, a gradual introduction to your new place (if possible), and by maintaining a consistent routine.

Providing mental and physical stimulation is also key in helping them adapt to their new surroundings. Many dogs also do better when you leave quiet music playing or the television on at a low volume. Here’s a video with relaxing scenes and sounds made specifically for dogs:

Dog Barking When Left Alone FAQs

Is it bad to ignore my dog when they bark as I leave?

Ignoring your dog’s barking can be helpful in some cases, especially if the behavior is reinforced by your reactions. However, if the barking is caused by separation anxiety, ignoring alone will not solve the issue. It’s better to combine a calm departure routine with training that addresses the root causes of the anxiety.

Should I crate my dog when I leave the house?

Crating can be helpful for some dogs, especially if they feel secure in their crate. But it should only be used if your dog has been properly crate-trained and sees the crate as a positive space. Never use the crate as punishment, and avoid crating for long periods without breaks.

How can I tell if the barking is due to separation anxiety?

Signs of separation anxiety include barking or whining immediately after you leave, destructive behavior, pacing, or attempts to escape. You may also notice clinginess when you’re home. A video recording can help confirm whether your dog becomes distressed shortly after your departure.

Can a second dog help stop the barking?

Sometimes a second dog can help ease loneliness, but it is not a guaranteed solution. If your dog’s barking is rooted in anxiety related to you specifically, another dog may not make a difference. In some cases, it can even create new issues if the second dog has similar problems or they don’t get along.

What should I avoid doing when trying to fix this behavior?

Avoid yelling at your dog, using punishment, or making your departures overly emotional. These actions can increase their anxiety and make the barking worse. Instead, focus on staying calm, rewarding quiet behavior, and building a gradual routine that helps your dog feel secure when you leave.

Conclusion

In summary, dogs barking when you leave is often a sign of separation anxiety or discomfort with being alone. Understanding the root cause and addressing it with appropriate strategies can help alleviate this behavior.

Creating a comforting environment, maintaining routines, and ensuring they are mentally and physically stimulated are all crucial steps in helping your dog adjust to periods of solitude.

I’m sure you’re ready to begin now that you have all of your questions about your dog barking when left alone answered, so I’ll let you get going on things.

Good luck, and don’t forget to pin this before you go!