Skywalker is a soulful dog looking for a calm and patient home where he can truly relax and feel safe. He can be shy at first, but once he trusts you he’s incredibly sweet, leaning in for pets and gladly accepting treats with a soft tail wag. This boy prefers the simple things in life, a comfy spot to nap, a predictable routine and a human who understands that building trust takes time. Skywalker has had a tough start, but he’s ready to begin a new chapter with someone who sees his potential and will love him for the tender, loyal dog he is. Plus, he’s available for a 10-day adoption trial! Learn more about adopting a pet at pasadenahumane.org/adopt.

Several years ago, my wife Nadia and I welcomed a puppy named Britney into our lives. We wanted to do everything “right,” and part of that plan included crate training for our new dog.

Despite our best intentions, things didn’t go according to plan. That first night was filled with high-pitched barks and yelps from a puppy that wanted anything but to be crated.

As Britney got older, she began to show us a variety in her barks. Nadia and I felt like detectives, attempting to decode each sound she made.

A single high-pitched bark meant she wanted our attention, a short series of barks and spins signaled dinner, and repetitive barking with focused attention usually meant there was someone or something in the yard that she was protecting us from.

Like most dogs, Britney was barking to communicate. Barking is a natural behavior for our canine friends. However, when it becomes excessive, pet parents can quickly become frustrated.

I’ve asked Rochelle Guardado, our Animal Training Manager, to help us better understand this quintessential canine behavior. Here’s what she had to say.

Like Britney, dogs vocalize for a wide variety of reasons. They may be expressing their emotions, seeking attention, warning us of perceived threats, or even easing their pain or fear. The pitch and volume of a dog’s bark can vary widely due to your pup’s excitement level, frustration, stress or even breed.

While barking can sometimes be considered a nuisance from our perspective, it is, in fact, a normal and healthy canine behavior. Yet no one wants their Zoom calls interrupted or their neighbors to complain about a lack of sleep.

So, how do you get your dog to stop barking excessively? While trainers often wish they had a simple answer to this question, the reality is that it depends. The first step to reducing the frequency, volume and duration of your dog’s barking is uncovering the reason behind it.

If your senior dog suddenly starts barking nonstop, it could signal cognitive decline, and your veterinarian can help address this behavior. Conversely, if your husky howls at all hours, they may simply be seeking attention, which can often be managed by adding engaging activities to their daily routine.

When your dog barks at full volume, it’s certainly easy to get frustrated and raise your voice. We’ve all been there. But yelling at them to stop is sending the wrong message. Your dog hears you joining in on the fun and thinks, “Great, we are all barking together!”

Visitors at the front door are a common pain point for dog parents. One tactic you can take is to thank your barking pup for letting you know the pizza delivery has arrived and reward them for a job well done. This will reduce the duration and intensity of the barking in most cases.

While bark collars or other startle devices claim to be effective, they actually work against us by increasing your dog’s fear, anxiety and frustration. Rochelle cautions that eliminating behaviors through punishment can lead a dog down the dangerous road of aggression. If a dog is trying to communicate that they are afraid or not feeling well, punishment is not an appropriate option.

Instead, when barking becomes an issue, it’s best to seek professional guidance from an experienced certified dog trainer. Behind every bark, growl, or howl, there is a reason. Once we figure out the why, the training can begin.

Pasadena Humane offers group and individual training for dogs of all ages. To learn more, visit pasadenahumane.org/training

Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on September 19, 2025.