Introduction
We’ve all experienced it – you’re relaxing at home when you suddenly hear your dog begin to bark loudly at the backdoor. They alternate between scratching at the door and letting out a volley of barks, as if demanding to be let inside. Most dog owners are familiar with this common behavior, leaving them to wonder – why exactly do dogs bark to come back indoors?
Reasons Dogs Bark at Doors
Dogs bark at doors for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common reasons include:
Barking to come inside – Dogs will often bark at the door when they want to come back inside, especially if they’ve been let out to go to the bathroom or play. They know that barking gets their owner’s attention to let them in [1].
Barking to go outside – Similarly, when dogs need or want to go outside, they will bark at the door. This is their way of telling their owner they need to go out [2].
Seeking attention – Dogs are social animals and some will bark at the door simply because they want attention from their owner. The barking is their way of saying “hey, don’t forget about me!” [3].
Alerting to noises/visitors – Dogs have very sensitive hearing and will often bark when they hear activity on the other side of the door, like a knock or doorbell. They are alerting their owner about a potential visitor [1].
Barking to Come Inside
One of the most common reasons dogs bark at doors is because they want to be let inside. Dogs are intelligent animals who quickly learn that barking gets their owner’s attention. According to The Online Dog Trainer, dogs bark to alert their owners to let them in through the door.
Dogs may bark at the door if they are ready to come back inside after going out to relieve themselves. They know barking will summon their owner to open the door for them. Some dogs may also bark at the door if they were accidentally left outside and want to be let back in. Their barking serves as an alarm to notify their owner that they want to come back inside.
Temperature Regulation
Dogs will often bark at doors to signal that they want to come inside to regulate their body temperature. Dogs do not sweat like humans do to cool themselves off. Instead, they pant and seek shade or cooler indoor areas [1]. During hot summer months, dogs may bark persistently at doors because they are too hot outside and want to come into air conditioning. Similarly, during cold winter weather, dogs may bark to be let inside where it is warmer [2]. The desired ambient temperature for dogs is generally between 60-70°F. If it is significantly hotter or colder than that outside, you can expect to hear frequent barking as they request access to more comfortable indoor temperatures. Providing a dog house for shade and plenty of fresh water can help mitigate some of the barking on hot days. But ultimately, the most effective solution is to let the dog inside when they indicate they are too hot or cold. Once their temperature has stabilized, they will likely settle down and stop barking to come back in.
Boredom
Dogs often bark when they are bored or understimulated. Without enough mental and physical activity, your dog may bark to get your attention and ask for playtime, a walk, or any kind of engaging activity. According to Stop Dog Boredom Barking, the sound of boredom barking is typically repetitive and persistent. As Chewy notes, signs of a bored dog include excessive barking, whining, jumping, and nipping, especially if this happens frequently throughout the day. Your dog may bark at you persistently to signal that they need more stimulation and activity. Providing daily exercise, playtime, chew toys, and food puzzles can help relieve boredom and reduce demand barking.
Barking for Social Contact
Many dogs bark at the door because they want to come inside and interact with their human family. Dogs are social creatures and thrive on human companionship. When left alone outside for too long, dogs will bark to alert their owners that they want to come in and receive affection.
Dogs barking persistently at the door is often a sign that they are feeling lonely or bored. As pack animals, dogs don’t like to be separated from their family for extended periods. Barking is their way of saying “Hey, I want to come hang out with you guys!”
Some dogs may bark more intensely when they know people are home because they can hear voices or movement inside. The sound of the TV or dinner being prepared are clues for dogs that their preferred company is inside while they are stuck outside.
To reduce barking due to social isolation, make sure your dog gets plenty of playtime, training, exercise and affection throughout the day. Leaving special toys or treats outside can also help distract them when left alone. But most importantly, don’t ignore your dog’s pleas for companionship. If they are barking to come in, invite them inside so you can spend quality time together.
Separation Anxiety
One of the main reasons dogs bark at doors is due to separation anxiety. According to the ASPCA, dogs with separation anxiety may bark or howl persistently when left alone or separated from their owner [1]. This anxious barking stems from a dog’s instinctual need to reunite with their guardian or “pack”. Dogs are social animals that can form intense bonds with their humans, so being suddenly left alone can trigger panic and stress. The barking serves as an instinctive cry to reunite with their missing companion [2]. It’s not that the dogs are misbehaving, but rather they are scared due to separation anxiety and are trying to cope by vocalizing.
Fear
Some dogs bark to come inside when they are afraid of something outside (Source). Loud noises like fireworks, thunder, or gunshots can startle and frighten dogs, causing them to bark repeatedly at the door to be let inside where they feel safer. Strangers approaching the home or yard can also trigger fear barking as the dog tries to alert its owners (Source). Dogs are social animals that look to their human families for security, so barking at the door is a way for fearful dogs to communicate that they want the safety and comfort of being indoors.
Fear-based barking to come inside tends to be urgent and incessant as the dog panics. Helping a fearful dog feel safe is important. Exposing them slowly to the fear triggers and positively reinforcing calm behavior can help overcome the fear. Providing a safe space indoors and never punishing the barking is also important. With time, patience and positive training, a dog’s confidence can be built up to reduce fearfulness and excessive barking.
How to Reduce Barking
There are several methods you can try to reduce excessive barking in dogs.
Training is key – teach your dog the “quiet” command using positive reinforcement like treats when they stop barking on command (source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/comments/10d4fgp/how_to_stop_pup_from_barking_at_the_door_to_be/). With consistent training, your dog will learn that being quiet earns rewards.
Getting adequate physical and mental exercise is also important to prevent boredom that leads to barking. Take your dog on daily walks and play fetch or tug-of-war. Puzzle toys and chew toys can also keep your dog occupied when you’re away (source: https://theonlinedogtrainer.com/stop-any-barking-without-hurting-your-dog-or-puppy/).
Using calming supplements, pheromones, or white noise machines can help relieve anxiety that causes barking. If separation anxiety is the cause, consider crate training to make your dog feel comfortable and secure.
As a last resort, citronella or ultrasonic anti-bark collars can deter nuisance barking. However, focus on positive reinforcement rather than punishment to change behavior.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several main reasons why dogs bark at doors to come inside. Understanding the specific cause can help owners address the underlying issue. Dogs may bark due to temperature discomfort, boredom, desire for social interaction, separation anxiety, or fear. It’s important for owners to understand this form of dog communication. Providing adequate walks, play time, access to family members, and addressing potential anxiety are some ways to reduce problematic barking. By meeting a dog’s needs for exercise, mental stimulation, and social bonding, owners can minimize frustrated barking at doors and enjoy a happier, well-adjusted dog.