Barking

Dog Barking at Plane (Or on It)? How to Stop It Fast!

The sound of your dog barking at planes can be quite annoying, and even more so if they’re barking while on a plane. You may wonder why this behavior occurs and, more importantly, how to curb it.

Throughout this article, we’ll delve into the possible reasons behind your pet’s reaction to these large flying objects, whether they’re in the sky or up close. We’ll also discuss how to address your dog’s in-flight noise, particularly if it’s directed at fellow passengers. We’ll even consider whether this behavior is typical among our four-legged friends.

Ready to understand and tackle your dog’s aviation-related barking? Keep reading below!

How to Stop My Dog Barking at Planes

How to Stop My Dog Barking at Planes

To stop your dog barking at airplanes:

  1. If possible, take them somewhere near the airport where there will frequently be planes flying overhead.
  2. If this isn’t possible, then go somewhere else you know they like to bark, like the park.
  3. Bring along plenty of treats and keep your dog on their leash.
  4. Plan on keeping things short. Short, frequent training sessions are more effective than single long ones, and will also be less stressful for your dog.
  5. Teach them the “quiet” command using the steps that follow.
  6. If your dog starts barking at planes (or anything else), say “quiet” in a positive, calm voice.
  7. If they respond, then give them praise and a treat right away.
  8. But if they keep barking or quickly start back up again, then hide a treat within your fist.
  9. Place your fist very close to your dog’s mouth. They’ll be able to smell the treat even inside of your hand and should quit barking so they can investigate the scent.
  10. Again say “quiet” and pause until your dog is silent and paying you their complete attention. Once they are, immediately praise them and give them a treat.
  11. Continue to give praise and treats as long as your dog keeps quiet and pays attention.
  12. But if they start barking or not paying attention again, repeat the process of giving the command, hiding a treat in your fist, putting it next to their nose, and pausing until you get their silence and attention.
  13. Make sure that you’re always waiting until they’ve gotten quiet and given you their attention before you reward them with any treats and praise.
  14. This forms a positive connection for your dog with staying quiet and paying attention to you.
  15. Once your dog is consistently responding to the verbal command, you no longer need to put your hand near their mouth.
  16. You can then start increasing the length of time you wait before rewarding your dog. Start by waiting for two seconds, then increase that to five, and so on.
  17. You soon won’t have to give your dog the rewards either, and they will get silent and pay attention to you just by you giving the “quiet” command.
  18. It’s also a good idea to keep your dog exercised. Make sure they’re getting frequent long walks and plenty of attention. A tired dog is generally a quiet one too.

These steps will get your dog to stop barking at planes, but it’s important to remember that the underlying behavioral issues (anxiety and possibly dominance) that were causing all of this to begin with will still be present. And until you address those, any positive changes you see are only going to be temporary.

“Okay, so how do I make them last then?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like when your dog barks at planes and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog barking at planes (or on them) ever again!

Why Does My Dog Bark at Airplanes?

dog barking at plane

If your dog is barking at airplanes, it might seem puzzling, but there are a few potential reasons for this behavior:

  1. High-Pitched Noises: Dogs have a much wider hearing range than humans. The noise an airplane makes, especially the high-pitched sound of a jet engine, might be irritating or alarming to your dog.
  2. Moving Objects: Dogs often bark at things that move, especially if they’re moving quickly or unpredictably. An airplane moving across the sky could trigger this instinct.
  3. Protection: Dogs often bark to alert their pack to potential threats. From your dog’s perspective, an airplane could be an unknown object invading their territory, triggering their protective instincts.
  4. Anxiety or Fear: If your dog is anxious or fearful of loud noises or unfamiliar things, the sound and sight of an airplane could trigger a fear response, leading to barking.

Understanding why your dog barks at airplanes can help you find ways to manage this behavior. Whether it’s providing a safe space for them during loud noises, distracting them with a toy, or working with them on behavioral training, there are ways to help your dog feel more comfortable when airplanes are nearby.

Go back to the first section of this article now to learn a quiet command you can teach your dog yourself. A failure to do anything will just lead to the problem getting worse. You’ll soon find your dog is barking at birds, barking at thunderstorms, barking up at the moon, barking at shadows, or just barking up at the sky in general.

What Happens if My Dog Barks on a Plane?

If your dog barks on an airplane, it could create a few challenges. Here are some potential scenarios:

  1. Disturbance to Other Passengers: Consistent barking can disturb other passengers, and this could potentially cause conflict or complaints.
  2. Stress for Your Dog: If your dog is barking on a plane, it’s likely because they’re feeling stressed or anxious. This can be hard on your pet and could potentially affect their health.
  3. Intervention by Crew: If your dog’s barking is disruptive, the flight crew might intervene. This could range from requesting that you quiet your dog to, in extreme cases, potentially needing to make an unplanned landing.
  4. Future Travel Limitations: If your dog is consistently disruptive on flights, it could affect your ability to travel with them in the future. Airlines may have policies in place concerning disruptive pets.

If you plan to travel with your dog, it’s important to prepare them for the experience. This could include getting them accustomed to their carrier, making sure to pack a comfort blanket and toy, or teaching them the “quiet” command before your flight. Go back to the first section of this article now to learn that.

Dog Barking on Plane at Other Passengers

If your dog is barking at other passengers on a plane, it can create a stressful situation for everyone involved. This behavior could be due to several reasons, and understanding them is the first step towards finding a solution.

Stress and Anxiety

Flying can be a stressful experience for a dog. The unfamiliar environment, loud noises, and close proximity to strangers can trigger anxiety and cause them to bark.

Protection and Territory

Your dog might also be barking to protect you or their space. In the confined space of an airplane, your dog might feel threatened by the close proximity of strangers and react by barking.

Need for Attention

Sometimes, dogs bark simply because they want attention. If your dog is bored or uncomfortable during the flight, they might start barking as a way to communicate their needs.

Strategies to Prevent Barking

There are several strategies you can use to prevent your dog from barking on a plane. Providing a familiar blanket or toy can comfort them, while training commands like “quiet” can help manage their behavior. Go back to the first section of this article now and we’ll explain in easy-to-follow steps.

Remember, every dog is unique, and what works for one dog might not work for another. It’s important to understand your dog’s specific needs and behaviors in order to effectively address the issue.

Dog Barks at Planes Flying Overhead

Dogs barking at planes flying overhead might seem strange, but it’s a fairly common behavior. Here’s why your dog might be doing this:

  1. Noise Sensitivity: Dogs have acute hearing, so the loud noise of a plane engine can be quite bothersome to them. This noise may startle them, causing them to bark.
  2. Moving Object: Dogs often react to moving objects, especially fast-moving ones. A plane flying overhead can certainly catch their attention, and barking is a common reaction.
  3. Protective Instinct: From a dog’s perspective, a plane in the sky could be seen as an intruder or potential threat. Their instinctual response might be to bark as a form of alert or territorial behavior.
  4. Fear or Anxiety: The unfamiliar sight and sound of a plane could induce fear or anxiety in some dogs, causing them to bark as a response.

Understanding the reason for your dog’s barking can help you find ways to manage this behavior. This might include providing a quiet indoor space during noisy flyovers, using positive reinforcement to distract and reward your dog for staying calm, or teaching your dog the “quiet” command (go back to the first section of this article now and we’ll explain it).

Barking at Planes: Is It Normal?

If your dog is barking at planes, you can rest assured that it’s a normal behavior, albeit a bit puzzling for us humans. Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, and in this case, it’s most likely because the noise or movement of the plane is catching their attention.

Dogs have keen senses that are much sharper than ours. The noise of a plane, even from far away, can be much louder to them. Also, the movement of an object in the sky can trigger their instinct to chase or alert their pack – that’s you – of potential threats.

This behavior can be more pronounced in certain breeds or individual dogs that have a strong prey drive or a heightened sense of alertness. It’s their way of saying, “Hey, something’s up there! Do you see it?”

Here are a few other reasons why your dog might bark at planes:

  1. They could be reacting to the shadow a plane casts as it passes overhead.
  2. They might be anxious or scared of the loud noise.
  3. They might simply be excited or curious about the unusual sight and sound.

While it’s normal for dogs to bark at planes, excessive barking can be a nuisance. If your dog’s barking is causing problems, go back to the first section now where we’ll teach you the “quiet” command. We’ll also help you understand why your dog is barking and provide strategies to manage this behavior.

Remember, patience is key when dealing with barking. It’s important to understand that your dog isn’t doing this to annoy you – they’re just reacting to their environment in the best way they know how.

I’m sure you’re ready to quit listening to your dog barking their little head off, so I’ll let you get started now. Good luck, and thank you for reading our article “Dog Barking at Plane (Or on It)? How to Stop It Fast!”

The Author

KB Williams

KB Williams

Hey there! I'm a dog behavior expert and lover of travel. Since 2016, I've been sharing my knowledge of dog training and behavior while exploring the Pacific Northwest with my two rescues.