Barking comes naturally in just about all dogs. It’s a way to communicate and react to certain environmental stimulus. However, there are instances when barking can become troublesome when it becomes excessive. In order to put a stop to excessive barking, there is a need to identify the stimulus and eliminate it. If your dog barks even if there are no other dogs in sight, he may be doing it out of boredom, anxiety, or frustration. It can also be an attention-seeking behavior. Dogs may also bark when they are in pain or out of discomfort. In this case, the barking may indicate the presence of an underlying health issue that warrants an appointment with your vet clinic Somerville, MA. Poor socialization can also be an important predisposing factor of excessive barking. Socialization is a time when puppies should be exposed to various positive interactions with other pets, people, places, sounds, and other external stimuli. Dogs that have undergone proper socialization are less prone to anxiety-related barking as they grow older.