Australian Shepherds are really talkative dogs, barking is in their genetics. Barking, howling and whining is an obvious way of communication for them. The dog barks while he is protecting the territory, showing dominance, being excited and in some other cases. Barking Aussies can say a lot of things. For example, they see a stranger, hear a doorbell, express anxiety if they are left alone or just invite you to play.
But sometimes barking not only does a useful function and let us know what our pet wants, but also starts to get annoying. However, this could be solved by figuring out the reason and using some simple training tips.
Reasons Why Australian Shepherds bark
Dog barking is caused by two types of stimuli:
- External irritations, which could be caused by any external influences. It could be some outside noise, appearance of a stranger in protected area, meeting with the owner after some time alone.
- Internal irritation, caused by improper conditions, restriction of the dog‘s freedom, insufficient attention.
Socialized and happy Australian Shepherd is going to bark only when the time is appropriate. For instance, it could be a response to a command during some training or a short bark in order to show something. However, to reach this level requires some time and training. Even if we look at the history of this breed, they were made to be a farm dog, active and authoratative herding dog. As a highly energetic dog, they need to spread their energy somewhere, so if they‘re not getting enough activities, you need to get used to barking on a general basis.
How to Eliminate Bark Caused by External Factors?
In most cases, the problem can be solved by removing the factor that causes barking. For example, if your dog keeps barking at people while seeing them through the window, then you should close the windows or move the dog to a quieter place. Gradual correction of the dog‘s behavior can also solve the problem. Train the dog when to start barking and when to stop. When the dog barks the amount you need – praise and give him something very tasty or interesting. Most Aussies will stop barking immediately.
While the dog is silent, repeat the command and praise him again. Repeat this exercise several times, reinforcing the dog‘s perception that silence is a good thing. Then gradually increase the silence time.
The success of an exercise depends on how strongly your Aussie is interested in getting what you divert his attention from barking.
How to Remove Barking Caused by Internal Stimuli?
It is not a secret that Australian Shepherds are very attached to their owners. Anxiety, boredom, loneliness or stress are often the cause of barking. In this case, try to spend more time with your pet. Don‘t leave your dog alone so often and for so long. Regular walks combined with some simple trainings would really help, your dog‘s head will be busy processing a huge amount of new information.
How Loud Australian Shepherd‘s Can Bark?
On average, bark of a single dog is between 80 to 100 decibels. So, if you live in an apartment with a neighbors behind the wall, you should definitely start training your Aussie and keep your dog barking to a minimum. Most Australian Shepherd owners would agree that townhouse walls look like paper-thin when your dog keeps barking continuously. Every dog is an individual, but if your dog is very talkative, it can be solved by turning sounds into tricks. For example, instead of barking you can teach your dog to whisper. All you need to do is to reward him when he barks at a lower volume. Over time your dog will understand that it is better to bark quietly.
When Can You Start Training an Australian Shepherd Not to Bark?
Start training your Aussie the same day you bring him home. This is a comon mistake that people let small puppies do everything they want. Allows them to bark, bite, climb on the bed and so on. But when they grow up, they may no longer understand what is good and what is not. So, it is always better to start training puppies as soon as their eyes open. Small Australian Shepherd will learn the new rules much more easily than grown-up dog.
At What Age Do Australian Shepherds Start Barking?
In most cases our four-legged friends start barking at 8 weeks of age. Although, barking is not near as loud as an adult Australian Shepherd. At this age your puppy will be mainly barking during some game or just to get your attention. When they get older, more attached to their owner and got used to own territory, they start strong, guarding type barking.
Why Does My Australian Shepherd Bark in the Car?
Barking in a car is a common problem. Dogs usually bark to protect their temporary territory, especially if the car is parked and people pass by. Sometimes they bark, cause they feel that trip by a car means an exciting visit to the park, or maybe not so fun trip to the vet!
If you have mastered barking and muting your Aussie by a command at home, but he or she still constantly barks in the car, it may be necessary to take action. In other words, your dog must see it as a normal place, not just identify this as an excitement.
First, allow the dog to stay in the car with the chew toy. Switch off the engine first, then do it with the engine running. When your dog is able to be quiet in the car with the engine running, drive for a short time, but as soon as the dog starts barking, and continue driving only when the dog is silent. It will take time and patience, but be persistent! Aussies are smart dogs and eventually they will understand.
If the dog is travelling in a cage and is particularly excited to see other cars or people, try to cover his cage. However, remember that the most important thing is safety! An overly sensitive dog can be very distracting to the driver, so make sure the dog is in a safe place when travelling by car.
Conclusion
Consistency is the key to success in getting your Australian Shepherd to stop barking. However, if you really don‘t understand why your dog is barking so much, or his barking habits are changing unexpectedly, you may need to visit a veterinarian to make sure there is no other reason for barking. If there are no medical problems, your veterinarian can refer you to a dog specialist or trainer who can help.