Help! My Dogs Won’t Stop Barking! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“I have 2 Hanesse. Benthic and Shelby. We just moved into an apartment, and both dogs are barking all the time. What barking device would work for both dogs? They are 9 years old.“ – Susan
Quick Info about Benthic and Shelby
Hi Susan,
When barking increases after a move, the behavior is usually driven by stress and uncertainty rather than disobedience. Your dogs are adjusting to a new environment filled with unfamiliar sounds, neighbors, and changes in routine, so they are reacting like sensitive alarm systems that have not yet learned what is normal. At nine years old, major changes can feel especially overwhelming, so the most effective approach is to help them feel secure and lower their overall stress level, rather than focusing only on stopping the noise.
A very helpful foundation in this situation is a calming pheromone diffuser, such as Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser. These release a synthetic version of the natural calming pheromone produced by mother dogs and can reduce stress-related behaviors, including excessive barking. Think of it as turning down the volume on their emotional alarm system so everyday apartment sounds feel less threatening. Most homes notice improvement within one to two weeks. This works best alongside predictable routines, daily exercise, enrichment, and background noise like a fan or white noise to soften hallway or neighbor sounds.
Before choosing a barking device, it is important to know that many tools, especially shock or harsh automatic ultrasonic systems, can increase anxiety and make barking worse over time, particularly in sensitive or older dogs. If you want a device, the safest options are humane handheld or collar-based ultrasonic or vibration trainers that interrupt the barking without pain. These work best when the barking is triggered by specific events rather than constant anxiety. Timing is essential. The interrupter should be used right as the barking begins, and the moment your dogs pause, calmly reward the quiet so they learn that calm behavior is what earns attention. Automatic room devices are often unreliable in apartments because walls, echoes, and multiple dogs can trigger them unpredictably. It helps to think of these tools as a brief pause button, not a solution, while the real progress comes from reducing triggers, building enrichment, and teaching that quiet brings good things. I hope this helps.