Dog gets over aroused when phone rings and you are on the call

[Geoffrey HaywardDobson]

Hi

I have a 16 month show cocker spaniel and when the phone rings he barks and jumps. I struggle to get to the phone and he then barks jumps and nips at back of my top or elbow area. This continues on the call.  How do I address this please?

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Hello, and welcome to the forums.

Dogs must have an odd relationship with the phone. If we try to think about phones from a dog’s perspective, it makes us wonder what they must think about us when they see us hold that rectangular device to our ear and start babbling away like it’s the most normal thing in the world. It’s sort of like living in a sitcom!

If we think about it, phones make lots of different noises: rings, pings, bleeps-you name it. Dogs understand that we are very responsive to every noise the phone makes. It must feel like living with a human who’s obsessed with squeaky toys!

On the other hand, with a dog’s fine sense of hearing, we must consider how rings and notification pings must feel to them. Perhaps they feel very unsettling, like nails on a chalkboard.

Then, there’s the mystery of voices coming from the other end. Are people trapped in there and need help getting out? Is that Uncle Martin stuck in another world? Perhaps that explains why owners rush to the phone when it rings; they’re on a mission trying to rescue them!

And let’s not forget how humans go bonkers when looking for a lost phone. The relief felt upon finding it must feel like digging out a buried treasure.

But the real kicker? Dogs witness us engaging in animated conversations, laughs, giggles, cries, maybe even shouting. They pick up all our vibes and may want to bark or howl to join these emotionally charged conversations.

So yeah, dogs have many good reasons to act suspicious about our phones. They are noisy, we spend way too much time on them, and they are not chew toys. No wonder why countless dogs are always trying to swipe that phone out of our hands!

Why Do Dogs Act up During Phone Calls?

The reasons why dogs may act up during phone calls may vary from one dog and another. Paying attention to the dog’s body language and the context that evokes the dog’s behaviors may help provide insights into the underlying causes.

Of course, until the day dogs can talk, we may never really know with 100 percent accuracy what’s going on in their minds, but these are just a few possibilities.

They Are Seeking a Connection

At the top spot of possible causes for dogs barking during phone calls is the need for interaction/attention. Many dogs may experience negative feelings when they see us get on the phone or plop onto the couch and watch T.V. In particular, they may feel ignored.

“Every time my human starts talking on that device, they forget I exist! Maybe if I do something to grab their attention, they’ll remember I’m here.”

The connection-seeking behaviors dogs adopt may vary from one dog to another. Here are several potential connection-seeking behaviors:

• Pacing back and forth
• Whining
• Nudging
• Barking
• Pawing
• Licking
• Chewing
• Nipping
• Biting

As mentioned, phone calls can be emotionally charged events. Your dog can sense your feelings, and the voices on the other side could trigger feelings of excitement, reactivity or arousal.

Some dogs may recognize voices of people they know, and this may excite them as if they’re about to show up to the door-but then, they do not. Other dogs may get aroused or startled by the sudden movements we make to get to the phone.

Some dogs may find the sound of the phone ringing or the vocal interactions as cues for play or social engagement, leading to heightened energy levels, and all that energy must go somewhere, triggering the onset of impulsive behaviors such as barking.

They’re Bothered by Noises

Some dogs struggle with noises emitted by phones, whether it’s the beeping or ringing or any sound notifications. If you are using a speakerphone, consider that the pitch of the person coming through the speakers may be uncomfortable to the dog.

They’re Feeling Confused

Since dogs don’t understand technology, when they hear us talking on the phone, they may not know that there is someone on the other side who is listening. Even if the dog hears the other person, it’s still confusing because that person is not present.

All this talking can cause dogs to feel confused. They may think we are talking to them, but we aren’t really connecting with them. It’s normal for dogs to feel unsettled, and this can make it a stressful situation that prompts them to act out.

They’re Feeling Frustrated

Some dogs struggle during phone calls because they perceive them as a disruption to their routines. It may be possible that dogs also grow frustrated when they sense the phone as a barrier preventing them from receiving the attention and interaction they crave.

Such dogs may vent their frustration by engaging in nuisance behaviors that may include barking.

“Attention-seeking behaviors—also known as demand behaviors—start for a variety of reasons, including anxiety and uncertainty. But regardless of why they start, these unwanted behaviors are always maintained by learning.” explains Stephanie Borns-Weil board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

There is one major problem with dogs who bark, whine or bite as a way to seek attention: their attention is often inadvertently reinforced. This reinforcement teaches the dog that their behavior works, and this causes the behavior to put roots and repeat.

Here’s the thing: with attention-seeking dogs, every little sign of attention reinforces the behavior (making it more likely to repeat and strengthen over time). Just looking at your dog, talking to your dog or touching your dog qualifies as attention.

Even attention of the negative type, such as scolding your dog or pushing him away, qualifies as attention nonetheless!

It’s therefore super easy to fall into the trap of giving some form of attention to these dogs, especially when their needle-sharp teeth are used to prompt a reaction from us!

Beware of Extinction Bursts

An extinction burst is a phenomenon that is important to be aware of. When dogs try to get attention from us, they will often try with some mild behaviors.

Let’s say they try by barking. Barking often gains some type of reaction from us, considering it’s an ear-piercing sound. We may look at our dog or tell them to shush. Soon, the dog is satisfied with the response and may start barking more and more during phone calls.

At some point, the owner may decide to try to ignore the barking in hopes of it decreasing. Bark after bark, the dog may notice that the barking is no longer working, so he’ll often try barking louder.

This intensification of the behavior in response to no longer getting attention is known as an “extinction burst.” On top of barking louder, the dog may also try something else in hopes of getting the owner’s attention again.

Barking may work at getting the owner’s attention back, considering that it’s very difficult to ignore a dog’s barking. Soon, the barking behavior establishes and becomes the dog’s default behavior to engage in in the context of phone calls.

Make Safety Top Priority!

If your dog’s barking morphs into biting, play it safe and consult with a dog behavior professional. Of course, in the case of a dog biting, for safety, it’s best to have the dog wear a muzzle and have a behavior professional present to help during the assessment.

What to Do to Stop a Dog From Barking During Phone Calls?

Stopping a dog from barking during phone calls often requires a multi-modal approach. The behavior intervention plan may often involve a combination of management strategies and behavior modification. A dog behavior professional can guide you through the process and suggest the most appropriate, custom-tailored approach.

Preventing Practicing of the Behavior

Undesirable behaviors in dogs are practiced because they lead to some form of reinforcement (a desirable consequence). In the case of a dog barking when the owner is on the phone, the consequence that keeps the behavior alive is often attention, whether it’s positive or negative.

To prevent the dog from being put into the position of repeatedly practicing the problem behavior and garnering attention, it’s important to take several preventive steps. Following are several possible preventive steps:

• Keeping the dog in a separate room during phone calls
• Going outside to make phone calls
• Placing the dog in a confined space during calls (crate, exercise pen)
• Keeping the dog behind a baby gate

Behavior Modification

While the above measures prevent the dog from practicing the problem behavior, it’s important to take steps to change the dog’s emotional response to phone calls. The type of behavior modification involved may vary based on the underlying emotions at play and the ultimate function of the behavior.

Identify the Exact Triggers

When a dog barks during a phone call, it can be helpful to identify the exact triggers that cause the dog to act out. If we are able to tease out an exact trigger, we know exactly what we may need to be worked on, and in some cases, the solution may be as simple as no longer exposing the dog to such a trigger if feasible.

• Does the phone ring evoke the barking? This can be teased out by testing whether the dog still acts out if the phone ring is muted.
• Does your walking back and forth during calls evoke the barking? This can be teased out by testing whether the dog doesn’t act out when talking while sitting.
• Does hearing other people on the other line evoke the barking? This can be teased out by no longer putting people on speaker phones, using headphones or pretending to talk to somebody and watching the dog’s response.
• Does your dog react only when you talk on the phone? This can be teased out by having another person talk on the phone and seeing if the dog acts out.
• Does your dog react when you suddenly leap to answer the phone? This can be teased out by getting up very calmly and nonchalantly to answer the phone.

While the above are just some examples of triggers that may cause some dogs to act out, it is not uncommon for the behavior to have started in response to an initial trigger, but that trigger has generalized and caused other events to piggyback.

For example, oftentimes, as in the case of attention-driven dogs, the dog may have started acting out in the middle of the phone call as the dog started feeling anxious about not being given attention, but then through repeated exposures, the behavior started happening earlier and earlier into the phone call, to the point where the mere phone ring could cue a barking episode.

Turning Triggers into Positive Happenings

A plan involving desensitization and counterconditioning may be a good place to start to change any negative emotions into more positive ones.

Desensitization involves exposing the dog to their triggers presented at a lower level of intensity so as to reduce exaggerated responses that cause anxiety.

In the context of a dog barking during phone calls, this may involve putting the ringer on a lower setting, not using the speaker phone, letting the phone ring at a distance (like from another room), and initially engaging in shorter phone calls. The phone calls should be as neutral as possible (not emotionally charged) to lower the chances of evoking arousal.

Counterconditioning involves pairing the triggering stimulus or event with something positive.

In the context of a dog barking during phone calls, this may involve feeding the dog treats when the phone rings and then while talking on the phone. Treats (or even the dog’s kibble if the dog really enjoys it) can be kept in the pocket or treat bag during the day so that all phone calls are turned into positive behavior-change opportunities.

The Best of Both Worlds

Desensitization and counterconditioning are often used in combination as they work in synergy, potentiating their effects. In a nutshell, the ultimate goal is presenting the trigger/event at lower levels of intensity while creating positive associations with it.

Initially, it may help to create systematic set-ups so that we have better control over the situation. This could mean arranging with a friend to have him/her call you so that the phone can ring several times in a row (with the ringer on a lower setting) so that you can toss your treats immediately after every ring.

It should look like this: Ring/toss treat, ring/toss treat, ring/toss treat repeated several times so as to start creating a positive association with the ring. You may find it helpful to toss the treat initially simultaneously to the first rings just so that your dog gets a feel of what’s happening before moving to tossing the treat right after the ring.

The goal is to obtain what’s known as a positive conditioned emotional response where your dog starts actually looking forward to the ring because it means great things happen.

Advancing to the Next Step (Raising Criteria)

Raising criteria simply means moving to the next step once the dog shows signs of improving, leading to a dramatic reduction in reverting to the barking behavior. Ideally, criteria should be raised when there are no more barking episodes taking place.

Once the dog does fine with hearing the ring and shows even signs of looking forward to hearing it, you can start with having the phone ring and you picking it up and tossing a treat. Ring, pick up phone/toss treat, ring, pick up phone/toss treat.

Once your dog does well with that, very brief conversations can be started. It’s best to keep these as short and neutral as possible, and treats should be tossed frequently to prevent any barking.

What If There Are Setbacks?

If there are still setbacks where the dog reverts to wanting to bark, it’s important to carefully evaluate what may have gone wrong.

Was the ringer tone too loud? If so, the volume will need to be adjusted.

Is the dog less enthusiastic about the treats? If so, it may be time to invest in some higher-value treats.

Did the dog show signs of wanting to bark before the treat was tossed? If so, faster treat tosses may be necessary so as to preempt the behavior, but it would also be important to carefully evaluate what may have gone wrong.

If, for example, the dog did well hearing the ring but then struggled when the phone was picked up and brought to your ear, you may want to take a step back and go back to giving treats for hearing the phone ring and then finding an intermediate step to picking up the phone and bringing it to your ear, such as just touching the phone and then lifting it up a bit and then more.

Training an Alternate Behavior

It is common to get upset with dogs (and give them negative attention) when they engage in problematic behaviors, but what if we train them to engage in an alternate behavior to replace the unwanted one? Then we can at least give them some attention for engaging in a desirable behavior!

A good cue to train in these cases is the “go to your mat” cue since being on the phone involves a certain level of duration.

I would suggest having a plan in place by keeping some long-lasting treat on a tall, impossible-to-reach surface near your phone and having a mat nearby. This way, as soon as the phone rings, you can cue your dog to readily go to his mat and then reward him by giving him a long-lasting treat to keep him occupied.

If you want a quicker solution, you can use an indoor pet fence and place the long-lasting treat already on the mat, and close the pet fence so that as soon as the phone rings, you can readily open the pet fence and cue your dog to go to his mat.

The dog should readily go inside if he has noticed the treat on the mat. This may work if your dog isn’t prone to getting too frustrated by seeing the food in an enclosed area he cannot reach.

Consult With a Professional

When dogs bark or show concerning aggressive behavior, seeking the guidance of a professional for safety and the correct implementation of behavior modification is paramount. Working on behavior problems comes with risks, and every dog will need an individualized plan.

Here are some professionals to reach out to:

• Board-certified Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB) Here is where to find one near you: Find a Diplomate.
• Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB)
• Certified Dog Trainers/Behavior Consultants

Please ensure that the professionals used are committed to humane training and behavior modification methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

The process of changing dog behavior is always variable, and several adjustments/changes may need to take place. Every dog is an individual, so a cookie-cutter approach won’t cut it when it comes to behavior change processes.

What If I Don’t Have Time to Cue My Dog to Go to His Mat?

If you are expected to get several phone calls and you don’t have the time (or desire) to work on the behavior, it is best to use management and keep your dog away from the phone and confined with something to do (chew toys, Kong Wobbler, Licki-mat).

Are There Other Ways to Keep the Dog Busy During Calls?

If you know when you’re expecting a phone call, you can set up a treat dispensing toy that you can activate with the press of a button using a remote control. The phone ring will become a cue for the yummy treats to be dispensed.

I personally like to use the Teach & Treat remote dispenser for keeping dogs out of trouble because it will dispense kibble or premium treats from up to 30 yards away.

How Important Is Timing?

It is always best that you work quickly to preempt the problem behavior; therefore, you want to intervene *before* your dog has the opportunity to bark. If you are late, it may be difficult to distract your dog once he has latched on; plus, you are allowing your dog to practice the behavior.

If you know a phone call is coming, it’s best to have a plan in place and have a stuffed Kong or a Licki-mat ready so that you can provide it to your dog in his confinement area.

What If the Phone Rings Unexpectedly?

If the phone call rings unexpectedly, be ready to grab a handful of kibble or a few treats from your pocket to toss at a distance as you leave the room and close the door.

Alternatively, you can even keep a flirt pole next to your phone on a desk to escort your dog into his exercise pen where you can then close him and provide him with something to happily chew on.

I have used flirt poles with success in some critical cases, such as puppies not wanting to come back inside the home before being taught to come when called.

Can I Just Toss Treats/Kibble When I Am on the Phone?

Technically, you can, but if you decide to toss treats rather than cue your dog to go to his mat to chew on a long-lasting edible, be prepared to do so repeatedly throughout the call to keep your dog’s mind focused on chasing treats. You can’t get distracted here, as you will need to have your dog yo-yoing back and forth.

If your dog loves this game, you can insert some obedience training into the mix by asking your dog to sit before you toss the treat/kibble. This way, you are also teaching some desirable behaviors on top of draining some energy, providing some mental stimulation and preempting the barking.

Since you are on the phone, you can teach your dog to attend to hand gestures rather than verbal cues. The hand gesture for “sit” can be an upward hand movement with your palm open. Once your dog gets the hang of this, he may even default to sitting on his own before the treat is tossed.

On top of sitting, you can also teach your dog other cues, such as to lie down, spin or hand target before you toss the treat.

Watch for signs of your dog tiring. Dogs may revert to nipping when they are tired and don’t know how to communicate it. If you are expecting the phone call to get long, you can always cue your dog to go to his mat and enjoy a food puzzle.

What If the Treats in My Pocket Are Finishing?

It’s always best to have a backup plan and keep some extra treats/kibble that can be reached quickly on a nearby shelf or table so that you can toss your last few treats at a distance and go grab a new supply of treats.

If you have one last treat and it is soft, you can always split that into several pieces and use those to buy some time as you go grab some extra “ammo.”

What if I Am Worried About Calories or Don’t Want to Spoil My Dog’s Appetite?

No worries, there are several options. If your dog loves his kibble, use it! Food bowls are only for our convenience. Just think how many opportunities for reinforcement you can hold by using your dog’s breakfast.

If your dog responds better to treats, you can ask your vet for some low-calorie treats.

What If My Dog Isn’t Interested in Eating?

Some dogs may be anxious about the phone’s ring or the voices they hear. When dogs are in an anxious state, they may struggle to focus on anything else. In these cases, it may be important to consult with a vet and discuss whether some calming aids may be helpful.

Will the Behavior Ever Stop?

While no guarantees can ever be made on the outcome of training or behavior modification, the good news is that eventually, most dogs lose interest in you talking on the phone once they have found more interesting things to do.

The chances of this happening are much higher if you provide your dog with enough exercise and mental stimulation during the day and ensure all your dog’s needs are met.

The less dogs get to practice the problem behavior, the more they’ll gravitate towards the new, potentially more rewarding activities. Dogs with a long rehearsal history may require more time and effort.

Does Ignoring the Dog Work?

Oftentimes, when dogs engage in attention-seeking behaviors, the common advice is to ignore the dog in hopes of extinguishing the behavior; however, there are problems with this approach.

While it may be easier to ignore a dog who is barking when we are on the phone, ignoring the dog for biting is more difficult because it hurts! A hand or leg movement may be interpreted as a form of interaction nonetheless.

Furthermore, ignoring a dog’s behavior that has worked in the past in getting attention may trigger an extinction burst that may involve stronger biting. Unless we wear tall Wellington boots, it will be difficult to endure.

Giving any type of attention during an extinction burst has a deleterious effect because it means we have reinforced the dog’s persistence, making the behavior more established and resistant to extinction.

Should I Punish the Dog for Biting Me During Phone Calls?

No, punishing the dog for biting can potentially make matters worse. The dog may perceive any intervention as a form of attention, or if corrected through a muzzle grab, alpha roll, or scruff shake, the dog may react defensively or become hand-shy.

Punishment also doesn’t help in addressing the behavior. In many cases dogs acting up during phone calls are seeking a connection. Even something seemingly minor, such as saying to the dog “no” doesn’t address the root cause and provides no information about what you want your dog to do.

There are many side effects associated with the use of punishment, which is why it is not recommended.

The Importance of Addressing All of a Dog’s Needs

While it’s important to manage the dog’s environment and take steps to encourage the dog to engage in an alternate behavior, it’s also paramount to address the dog’s underlying needs and emotions and take a “holistic approach.” Following are some extra tips.

Provide Exercise/Mental Stimulation

While in the past, most dogs were selectively bred to carry out certain tasks (herding, guarding, hunting, sniffing, etc.), nowadays, they are often left with nothing to do and depend on us to keep them entertained.

It’s therefore important to meet a dog’s needs for exercise and mental stimulation. Make sure your dog receives daily exercises and enrichment so his body and brain are kept busy. 

If you must use the phone at set times during the day, it may help to ensure you have met your dog’s needs before getting on the phone. Walk your dog, ensure he has eliminated and play with your dog before putting him in his confined area with something to do (food puzzle, bully stick).

Establish a Routine

Dogs feel reassured when they are provided with a routine. Establish set times during the day for walks, training, play, exercise, feeding and elimination.

Introduce verbal cues so that your dog knows what to expect and can anticipate safe and non-threatening interactions.

*Make sure your dog has eliminated before getting on a long phone call; some dog may start barking as a way of communicating their need to be taken out! You may find it helpful to teach your dog the go potty on cue command.

Lower Arousal Levels

Many dogs struggle with strong emotions such as arousal and frustration. Impulse control training can be introduced so as to help a dog develop better coping skills in a positive way..

Lower the Anxiety

Many dogs who display behavior problems are fearful and anxious dogs. These dogs need a routine and may benefit from anxiety-reducing products.

There are many calming products on the market nowadays, from DAP sprays and diffusers to calming supplements and foods. Ask your vet for specific recommendations. If your dog is anxious on a daily basis, your vet may even prescribe medications to take the edge off.

Ensure Your Dog Gets to Relax/Sleep

Dogs who don’t receive enough sleep during the day tend to be more easily aroused and “on edge.” It’s important to teach dogs how good it feels to be calm and how to relax. It’s important to praise them for engaging in these desirable behaviors. You may need to take steps to create an environment that is conducive to relaxation and sleep.

I hope this helps!

Happy training!

Best, 

Adrienne