Tagged: dogs
My dog started randomly barking recently. It doesn’t appear to be at anything. No one is at the door, no one is driving by, I don’t see any animals outside, etc. This is kind of concerning, my friend thinks I have a ghost in the house. Has this ever happened to anyone?
It can be confusing when your dog starts barking at what seems like nothing. Dogs pick up on things we can’t, like noises or smells, but I understand why it might feel a bit unsettling! As for the idea of should you bark like a dog to your dog? it’s probably not the best approach. It could confuse or stress them out more. Instead, try distracting them with a toy or a treat, or use a calm command to help them settle down. It might just be their way of responding to something small in their environment that we can’t notice.
Agree with @dogshabit you should not bark like a dog to your dog, and treats are a good distraction to help them to stop. My friend’s dog does the same thing in the middle of the night and is concerned too so you’re not alone! If your dog seems agitated, pacing, or showing other signs of distress, it could be helpful to look for environmental triggers, or even speak to a vet in case there’s something deeper going on with their mental or physical health.
Time to buy some sage…
If your dog is barking at nothing, they might sense something you can’t, feel bored, or be anxious. Check for triggers, provide mental stimulation, address anxiety, and visit a vet if it’s sudden. Training with positive reinforcement can help reduce unnecessary barking.