Dog Bark Monitor: An Extra Pair of “Ears” On Your Buddy
Dogs bark for a ton of reasons - but imagine you could figure out exactly why, when, & how much? That's where a dog bark monitor can step in.
Let’s be honest – if we got three wishes, we’d wish we could speak to our dogs too. But what if you really could understand what your buddy’s barking really means? That’s where a dog bark monitor steps in. In this blog post, we’ll explore how it works, who it’s a great fit for, and how Tractive’s built-in Bark Monitoring features can help you figure out what they’re trying to tell you.
Find out how your dog spends their time.
Read moreWhat could make my dog bark more or less?
Your dog might not be able to “speak” to you – but definitely not for lack of trying! So if yours is suddenly more vocal than usual, it could do with a change in their environment, health, or routine. Here are a couple of common reasons dogs bark – including:
- Triggers in the environment
Loud noises, unfamiliar visitors, or other animals nearby can increase barking. - Emotional states
Dogs may bark more when they’re excited, anxious, scared, or even bored. Keeping them active and on their toes can help release some pent-up energy. - Separation anxiety
Which could turn up as excessive barking, if that’s how your dog’s learned to cope. Check out our guide on handling separation anxiety in dogs to understand it better. - Health issues
Pain, discomfort, or age-related conditions could lead to increased barking – or even decreased barking if you’ve got a senior dog at home. If your dog’s gotten quieter than usual, it could also be a potential red flag. - Training and socialization
Well-trained and well-socialized dogs are less likely to bark excessively. (Because they’ve learned how to behave around others.) Regular training can also teach your dog when it’s appropriate to bark.
“While some dogs bark a lot, and some less, pet owners need to be aware of changes.
If your dog suddenly starts barking more or less than usual, it could be a sign that they’re in pain or distressed.“
– Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM
What’s a dog bark monitor & how does it work?
In a nutshell: a dog bark monitor is a tool you can use to track, analyze, and understand your buddy’s barking patterns. Whether your pup barks while you’re at work, during walks, or when they’re home alone — understanding what triggers it can help you keep them happy, healthy, and safe.
Some bark monitors go beyond just recording sound levels — they can help identify specific barking patterns, such as intense, excessive barking due to stress or separation anxiety. With this kind of information, you can take action and adjust your dog’s environment, so that they’re less antsy when they’re home alone.
Read more: How To Leave Your Dog At Home Alone – 100% Stress-Free.
Who is a dog bark monitor best for?
- Dogs with separation anxiety
If your dog struggles when left alone, excessive barking could be a cry for help. Bark monitoring helps you spot this early and take steps to help your dog feel more secure. - Rescue dogs or shelter dogs
Dogs from shelters might bark more as they adjust to their new environment. A bark monitor can help you understand their triggers and figure out a workaround. - Dogs in shared living spaces
If you’re living in an apartment or sharing walls with your neighbors, knowing when and why your dog barks can prevent any noise complaints. - First-time dog parents
Bark monitoring can help you understand your new buddy’s behavior that much better. It’ll help make it that much easier to meet their needs, because you can now figure out exactly what tends to trigger a barking fit. - Health-conscious dog parents
Changes in barking frequency or intensity could be a sign your dog’s ill, in pain, or not at their 100%, health-wise. Tracking these changes ensures you can act quickly if something seems off. Meaning, with your dog’s bark monitoring data, you can also have a more productive conversation with your vet.
Bark monitoring with Tractive: An extra pair of “ears” on your buddy
Tractive GPS devices come equipped with a special sensor that detects changes in volume levels. This helps it figure out when your dog is barking — compared to breathing or other sounds, like from other dogs. With its built-in Bark Monitoring features, it can help alert you to unusual changes in your dog’s barking patterns over the last 7 days. (Which could signal anxiety, pain, or discomfort.)
With time, this can help you:
- Figure out if your dog’s barking is normal – or isn’t
Strapped to your dog’s collar, your Tractive GPS tracks and identifies patterns of excessive or prolonged barking that could signal separation anxiety. This helps you tell the difference between normal barking and barking caused by stress. From the app, you can easily check when and how often your dog is barking, helping you connect the dots between barking patterns and their environment. - Check in on your dog – no matter where you are
Tractive’s GPS tracker detects intense barking and sends you a notification, no matter where you are. This allows you to check in on your dog remotely and see if they need assistance.
- Pinpoint your dog’s bark triggers
The app provides detailed timelines showing when your dog is barking the most. You can use this info to pinpoint specific bark triggers, like when you leave the house or during certain times of the day. - Adjust your dog’s environment for max comfort
If your dog shows signs of separation anxiety, like frequent, prolonged barking when left alone, Tractive’s Separation Anxiety feature will let you know. This can help you take steps like checking if your dog needs to see you via the petcam or you need to drop home for a cuddle during your lunch break.
Besides, combined with Tractive’s Wellness monitoring features, you can also:
- Take an active role in your buddy’s health & wellbeing
Bark monitoring works alongside Tractive’s Wellness monitoring tools to give you a full picture of your dog’s health and wellbeing. Combined with Activity and Sleep Tracking, you can monitor changes in your dog’s behavior over time via their Wellness score. - Help your vet help your dog The detailed barking data collected by Tractive can provide your vet with valuable insights into your dog’s behavior. For example, if your dog is barking more than usual due to stress or discomfort, sharing this information during a vet visit can lead to more targeted questions, better diagnostics, and an effective treatment plan.
- Put your dog’s safety first Because Tractive includes GPS tracking, you’ll always know where your dog is — and if their barking is linked to an unfamiliar or unsafe location.
Separation anxiety monitoring with Tractive
A dog that’s experiencing separation anxiety could get up to some mischief left to themselves. Whether that’s restless pacing, destructive behavior, peeing all over the house, or barking their heads off – you’re best off knowing and taking steps to help them feel better when you’re gone.
So if you’ve switched on your Separation Anxiety monitor via your Tractive mobile app, you now have an extra pair of eyes (and ears) to monitor your dog when you’re gone. Here’s how it works.
- Start the monitor when you leave
Via your Tractive app. This ensures the tracker is ready to observe your dog’s behavior while you’re away. - Detect increased barking or movement
With its built-in motion detector, your Tractive device logs in your dog’s movements and vocalization. With time, this can help you identify any patterns of excessive barking or restless movement that could indicate distress. - Get notified of signs of separation anxiety
If your dog shows signs of separation anxiety, like frequent, prolonged barking or heightened movement, you’ll get a notification in real-time. So you can intervene quickly and take steps to reassure your dog, request a neighbor to give them some company, or adjust their environment.
Your Tractive mobile app also provides you helpful resources regarding separation anxiety in dogs and what steps you can take. Helping you better understand your dog’s emotional needs and make informed decisions to keep them calm and happy.
Peace of mind, one bark at a time
Whether your dog’s barking signals a health concern, a behavioral issue, or just their unique way of expressing themselves, we’ve got you covered. With our Bark Monitoring and Separation Anxiety tools, you now have the peace of mind and an extra pair of ears on your buddy, no matter where you are. (Or they are.)
Ready to understand your dog like never before? Check out Tractive’s GPS tracker with built-in Bark Monitoring today – and give your pup the care they deserve.
Stay on top of your dog’s wellness
See how they’re doing at a glance with Wellness Score. Set goals. Compare with dogs like yours. Monitor sleep. Detect issues and keep them healthy.
