Milo – my 110 lb Rhodesian Ridegback – barks extremely loud, as you can imagine. It’s actually one of the reasons that attracted me to that breed. I wanted a large guard dog who would scare any potential burglars away – mission accomplished. However, fast forward a few years and all my friends are bringing their newborn babies to dinner parties – and if you didn’t already know, sleeping babies with loud dog barking usually doesn’t make the new parents happy. So I started wondering – aside from waking the baby up – is dog barking bad for babies?
Luckily, babies’ ears won’t be damaged by dog barking unless exposed to loud barking noises for a very prolonged period of time. Most dogs do not bark at incredibly loud decibels all day long, and even a common lawn mower is around the same volume. So as long as your baby was not born with a hearing defect, dog barking will not harm the baby.
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Decibels
A baby can usually withstand 80-85 decibels, while the loudest your four-legged friend may bark is around 113 decibels – but that is usually only when they are very upset about something.
A lawn mower is usually at least 100 decibels, and is constantly producing noise, whereas a barking dog usually lasts no more than about 30 seconds.
So as long as you do not have the dog barking directly in the baby’s ear for prolonged amounts of time, a dog barking in the vicinity is not likely to cause any damage to the ears.
Breeds and Decibels
If you do expect to bring in a baby into your life, but are also considering getting a dog as well, keep in mind that the breed of the dog does matter – oftentimes a breed has a reputation for how much noise they make.
Golden Retrievers are amazing family-friendly pets, but they are actually one of the dogs with the loudest bark – clocking in at about 113 decibels.
The Bernese Mountain Dog and Cocker Spaniel are some of the quietest dogs, in contrast. They are family-friendly as well.
So if you do not yet own a dog, it might be best to do some research on the loudest and quietest dogs if this is a concern.
Breeds and Temperament
Another concern regarding dog breeds is the dog’s temperament.
And just like some dogs bark louder than others, some dogs breeds are just friendlier than others.
This is important to remember because the friendlier a dog is, and the more mild the temperament of that dog, the less likely he is to bark all the time.
Friendly dogs are usually quieter since they do not view as many things as a threat.
On the other hand, if you want a dog breed that is meant to sound the alarm at the drop of a hat, you’ll likely be dealing with way more barking overall.
So if this is something that you’re worried about, be sure to consider a dog breed that is family-friendly, with a milder temperament.
Keeping Your Dog Calm
Most dogs bark when they are excited or nervous about something.
One way to prevent excessive barking is to keep your dog as calm as possible using some of these effective calming ideas below:
- Tiring the dog out – as they say, a tired dog is a good dog. An exercise routine will not only help keep your dog out of trouble, but will reduce the barking as well.
- Socialize your dog – by socializing your pup, you are showing them that not everything is a viable threat and they will not be as agitated whenever they see something new
- Hold and pet your dog – just as with socializing, holding your dog and showing them affection has calming effects and calms their nerves.
- Reward for good behavior – if keeping calm and barking less is on your list for the ideal dog, I would recommend getting a few special treats for your dog and reward them when they display that behavior.
Keep Your Dog Calm with Diet
Just like in humans, a dog’s diet has a lot to do with their behavior.
Just like sugar can have negative effects on your dog’s behavior, a dog’s diet can also help to keep them calm!
Adding turkey to your dog’ diet is a great way to calm your dog since it has the amino acid Tryptophan, which increases serotonin and makes you feel relaxed – have you ever noticed that after Thanksgiving dinner you always feel a bit sleep?
Just make sure that if you’re feeding your dog turkey, it’s cooked plain to prevent your pooch getting an upset stomach.
Blueberries are also a great calming agent and make great treats!
Milo’s friend Teddy has blueberries mixed into his meals which leaves him happy and calm!
Another great food to incorporate is salmon.
Salmon is very healthy for dogs and also contains Tryptophan, just like Turkey.
Try adding ingredients that are safe for dogs to eat but that have plenty of serotonin in your pooch’s meal. You will likely find that they are a lot happier, calmer, and more relaxed.
How To Stop Your Dog From Barking
Training is key to getting a dog to do anything.
When your fur baby starts barking and you want them to stop, give them the command “No” with a firm and strict voice.
Once they stop, praise them and give them a treat.
Consistency is key with this and always make sure not to reward bad behavior!
Shock Collars
Shock collars can be a controversial topic.
Some dog owners love them, and some advise against using them at all cost.
Many people believe that they inflict unnecessary pain on the dog and teach the dog to fear you.
However, many shock collar manufacturers say that the level of shock is not enough to cause any physical harm to your dog.
I, personally, have never used a shock collar on Milo.
I’ve found that with consistent training, he has learned to display the types of behavior I want in a dog. But then again, I don’t mind if Milo barks loudly since he is, at the end of the day, a guard dog.
Getting rid of the Problem
Most dogs bark constantly because the problem – whatever they’re barking at – is always there.
If your dog constantly barks, more than you think is normal, look around to see what your dog is actually barking at.
If it’s your baby that the dog is barking at, try keeping boundaries between your dog and the baby until they are more used to each other and your dog calms down.
Also be sure to spend time with your dog and give them enough attention so your dog doesn’t feel excluded.
If it’s not something like an object that you can just move out of the pup’s sight then, use the calming techniques listed above and give them consistent praise when they calm down.
Babies With Ear Defects
If your baby is born with an ear defect and you are looking to add a new dog into your home, it might be beneficial in the long run to look for a breed that is more quiet by nature.
Parents of babies with ear defects need to be more cautious of their child as one loud noise can hurt the ear drum easily.
Having a quiet dog around that doesn’t usually bark can decrease the risk of your child having total hearing loss.
Can dogs get jealous of babies?
Yes, dogs can get jealous of new babies, especially when they previously had all the attention to themselves. Jealousy in dogs looks like barking, following you around the house, going to the bathroom inside when they are already house-trained, and even isolating themselves. Make sure you are spending enough time with your dog and slowly introduce the dog to the new baby, praising them for good behavior.
What do I do if my dog doesn’t like my baby?
Putting physical boundaries in the home, like baby gates, is a good way to separate your dog and baby. Your pup may be trying to get used to things so don’t reward them for behavior like barking and begging. Instead, slowly move boundaries closer together to socialize the dog, and always look for signs of aggression. If you find that your dog is family-friendly but doesn’t seem to like the baby, give them time to adjust to the new changes and remember they have feelings just as much as we do. Wait until they get comfortable before you bring in your baby full time in your fur baby’s area.
What is the best age to get a dog for a child?
If your child is under six years old, it’s usually recommended to get a dog that is at least 2 years old. The older dog won’t be as much work to take care of and they are usually a lot calmer and don’t bark as much as a puppy would. On the other hand, getting a puppy for a child might help teach responsibility and the puppy would be easier to socialize to his new family.
As you can see, dog barking is not really harmful to a child’s hearing, as long as they are not exposed to it for long periods at a time. And if your dog does bark excessively, using some of the training techniques listed above is the first step towards helping them calm down and ensuring your pup is relaxed around babies.
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