Shiba Inu Excessive Barking: What To Do!

Shiba Inu is a popular dog breed known for its small size, foxlike appearance, and lively personality. One of the most distinctive characteristics of Shiba Inus is their barking.

These dogs have a unique and loud bark that can be quite startling for those who are not familiar with the breed.

Whether you’re a Shiba Inu owner or just considering getting one, understanding their barking behavior is essential to creating a happy and harmonious household.

This article will explore the reasons why Shiba Inus bark, especially at night, common triggers, and tips on how to manage their barking effectively.

Whether you’re dealing with excessive barking, or simply want to understand your dog’s communication better, this guide will give you the information you need to create a more peaceful and fulfilling relationship with your Shiba Inu.

Why Does Shiba Inu Bark at Night?

Most Shiba Inus bark at night when they’re inside their crate. Therefore, Shibas tend to howl and try to dig their way out.

My Shiba Inus had the same behavior for quite some time and the only way I could stop it was to let him out.

Shiba Inus also know how to do demand barking, especially when they’re still puppies. You need to understand your Shibas body language to decipher their night barks.

If your Shiba Inus demand barks and it works (i.e they get the attention from you), they’re most likely going to reinforce it as it’s rewarding for them. So, they keep doing it.

You need to make sure the barking isn’t rewarding for your canine friend. Learn to ignore the barking and they’ll get to stop it.

Of importance, you need to capture calm, quiet, and desirable behavior during the night and always reward it.

Also, teach your Shiba Inus what you’d like to do instead (e.g sit quietly) and reward her for that. So, ignore the demand barking, not reinforcing it by accident.

Also read; Shiba Inu Howling!

How Do I Get Shiba Inu to Stop Barking at Night?

• Identify the reason for barking
• Find an activity to interrupt
• Use redirection activities
• Be steady and consistent in the redirection

What’s more;

Identifying the root cause of a behavior is the first step in addressing it. This can be done by observing the animal and noting any potential triggers for the behavior.

Some common triggers for dogs include needing to go potty, an empty food bowl, or the desire to meet a stranger walking by.

Once the root cause has been identified, the next step is to interrupt the behavior. This can be done using a variety of techniques such as commands, a clicker, or snapping.

Commands are a way of communicating with the dog and can be used to interrupt a behavior.

Clicker training is a method of positive reinforcement that uses a small device that makes a clicking sound to signal to the dog that they have done something correctly.

Snapping is a quick and loud noise that can be used to interrupt a behavior.

Once the behavior has been interrupted, it is important to redirect the dog to more desirable behaviors.

This can be done using commands, such as “sit” or “stay”, and by providing them with a toy or engaging in a quick play session.

This redirects their focus and energy towards something more positive and productive.

The final step is to be steady and consistent in the training process. It’s important that friends, family, or roommates are all on the same page and using the same techniques.

Additionally, it’s crucial not to reward bad behavior, as this will only reinforce it. With time and consistency, the dog will learn to stop the unwanted behavior.

Shiba Inu Excessive Barking

Shiba Inu Barking at Toy?

• Playfulness
• Curiosity
• Fear
• Dominance

What’s more;

1.     Playfulness

Dogs have a playful nature and enjoy playing games, even if the rules are not always clear to humans.

They may exhibit unusual behavior while playing with their bones, such as barking.

This could be an invitation for the bone to join the game or simply a way for the dog to express excitement about the game they are about to play.

2.     Curiosity

Additionally, dogs are naturally curious and may bark at objects as a way to express their curiosity.

This is more likely to happen with new items that the dog is not familiar with. The barking is a way for the dog to quickly assess the object and determine if it is a potential threat or not.

3.     Fear

Fear can also be a motivator for barking. If the dog is afraid of their bone, they may bark at it as a warning to stay away or as a way to express their dissatisfaction.

This can happen if the object moves suddenly or if the dog has had a negative experience with the object in the past.

4.     Dominance

In rare cases, barking at a bone may be a sign of dominance.

The dog may be attempting to assert dominance in an uncomfortable situation or may have misidentified the bone as a threat to their dominance.

If your dog has resource guarding or other problematic behaviors related to dominance, it is best to seek advice from a veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, or trainer with experience in dealing with such issues.

The Wrap-Up

In conclusion, Shiba Inus are known to be vocal dogs that enjoy barking, especially at night.

While this behavior can be annoying for owners and neighbors, it is important to remember that it is a natural instinct for dogs to bark.

It’s also important to note that there are several reasons why Shiba Inus may bark at night, such as boredom, anxiety, or a lack of exercise during the day.

To prevent excessive barking at night, provide your Shiba Inu with plenty of exercise during the day and to make sure they have plenty of toys and activities to keep them entertained.

Additionally, providing your Shiba Inu with plenty of positive reinforcement when they are quiet can help to encourage them to stop barking.

While barking at night can be a challenge, remember that it’s a natural behavior for dogs and that with proper training and management, it can be reduced.