Is Your Dog Barking Out the Window?

A dog's bark is communication a language we should all try to understand and listen to. So often guardians become frustrated and upset and start to yell at their dog. Yelling at the dog creates a bark party. The dog thinks "hey I am being joined on this barking".

As a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, I will often recommend putting a film on the window or blocking access to the view. I understand when a person really does not want to block a view, but there are times this is an answer when you are working on training the dog.

To change a behavior, we must first have a plan. If your dog has rehearsed this for months or possibly years, this will take time. Like I tell people the sooner we get started before this has been rehearsed and strengthened the better the outcome.

I remember years ago about 2011 I would come home from work and wonder why my curtains were tossed around on the back of the sofa and I noticed nose prints on my window. I would clean the window and put the curtains back. The curtains were closed on purpose as I was away at work. I wanted the home to be quiet for my dogs. I found out with time some kids had been coming to the window and would tap on the glass and tease my dogs.

When I realized what was happening, I had stopped the kids and ask them to stop. They got caught red handed. Unsure if asking them would help, I put a sticky film on the window, and also kept the curtains closed.

Dogs were bred many years ago for a purpose from working on farms to protecting property, and those lap dogs to keep a person's feet and legs warm. Barking and alerting people was one of the advantages years ago to bring awareness to the handlers.

I have learned over the years from studies and working with dogs, how important it is to listen to our dogs when they bark. When I hear a dog bark outdoors, I step in front of the dog and tell the dog, I got this. Stepping in front of the dog takes the pressure off.

Imagine a dog, that runs from window to window every day, that dog feels like it is on duty all day long. Being at home is a job, and by the time you get home, the dog is very overstimulated. A dog that barks out the windows all day is not good. Changing furniture around or blinding the view can help to take the stress off the dog. There is good stress and bad, but it is all processed the same. Too much is never good!

In the past few years as I have learned new and updated methods and techniques to help dogs and guardians, is to have better communication with each other. When the guardian is home, to practice "window shopping" with your dog.

I recently had the opportunity to work with a German Shepherd in her home. Building trust with her was my first step. She let me know with her bark, she was there. I was observing her behavior, and I took my time earning her trust.

A few weeks later, I had the opportunity to watch her barking out the big window on the home. There was a truck on the street, and the worker was changing the streetlight. She was bringing awareness to the activity that was going on. This was the perfect opportunity to show the family how to use "window shopping". As she was barking out the window, I got on the couch with her and looked out with her. She barked and I would say her name and let her know I see that too. You see she was not being scolded or yelled out. She was being listened to, she was heard.

I watched out the window for minutes and she did calm down, she was quiet and I told her she was a good girl and thank you for letting us know this. Just talking to her, in a calm voice.

There are plans to help your dog, and communication is part of that.

Listen to your dog's voice, and when you need help, you can contact me in Sheboygan, WI.

Mecca a Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor- Knowledge Assessed (CBATI-KA) window shops out the window with a German Shepherd.

Mecca Curtice, CDBC, CCDT, CBATI-KA, FDM

© 2026 Mecca Curtice Mecca's All Breed Dog Training, LLC.