Do Bernedoodles Bark a Lot?
When it comes to doggy communication, barking stands as the universal language. Yet, not all dog breeds are equal in their vocal tendencies. Other than breed, individual upbringing also plays a pivotal role in shaping a dog’s barking behavior. This leads us to the question: do Bernedoodles bark a lot, and if so, what should you, as a potential owner expect?
Understanding the Language of Barking
Before diving into the details of Bernedoodle barking behavior, it’s important to understand the reasons behind a dog’s barking. Barking gives a dog many options for different types of communication, allowing them to convey different messages in different contexts. As explained by PetMD, dogs may bark for a variety of reasons including to establish territorial protection, signal alarm or fear, alleviate boredom or loneliness, express greetings and playfulness, seek attention, or even due to medical issues in old age.
Take the case of our Cooper. He’s a very attentive, but protective Australian Mountain Doodle, a breed that shares many similar traits with a Bernedoodle. Though there is one big difference: vocalization. Australian Mountain Doodles, because of the Australian Mountain dog genetics, tend to be more vocal than Bernedoodles.
Cooper tends to bark when neighbors pass by, when the mailman drops something off, or when he comes across other pups during walks. This behavior is him expressing his inherent territorial nature. That said, when it’s time to go to bed, Cooper shifts basically into “silence mode” where he rarely barks. This is a behavior we were able to reinforce over time. Cooper is amazing but from a barking perspective, we’re still working hard to reduce his barking, especially during strolls through the neighborhood.
However, it’s important to remember that tendencies, including vocal tendencies are not fixed rules; individual variations exist within each breed. Puppies, for example, might display more or less vocal behavior due to a multitude of factors.
So, what if you find yourself with a Bernedoodle that proves to be a particularly chatty companion? Stay tuned because coming up, we’re going to share an effective training strategy to address this common challenge.
Effective Strategies to Mitigate Excessive Barking
Addressing excessive barking requires a positive reinforcement approach. Positive reinforcement is a training technique which emphasizes rewarding positive behavior rather than penalizing negative scenario.
Let’s look at the example of Cooper’s barking at passing neighbors. What we do in response is give him a “no”, we then shut the blinds to reduce how much he can see outside. We then have Cooper sit, and we wait for him to stop barking. Then we reward him with a treat when there’s an absence of barking to reinforce his positive behavior.
In order for this method of training to be productive, we highly encourage that you be consistent and have patience. The key is to slowly increase the intervals between the “no” commands, the stopping of barking, and the reward helps improve the effectiveness of this training. Keep in mind that it’s really important to only provide treats when barking subsides. Rewarding barking behavior, even inadvertently, could hurt the progress and even confuse your furry friend.
As a way to perhaps get quicker results, another option is to get a humane anti-barking collar. These collars produce non-harmful tones that redirect a dog’s attention, which helps to deter excessive barking.
Our neighbor had success with this method by using a remote-controlled collar that used a high-frequency tone for their pup, Willy who is a Bernedoodle. This tone acts as an interruption, which helps take the dog’s focus of the reason for barking without causing any distress to the pup. The consistent application of treats further solidifies the connection between quiet behavior and positive reinforcement.
A Vital Component: Exercise for a Quieter Companion
Along with the techniques we described above to help reduce excessive barking, one major aspect that should never be ignored is daily exercise. If dogs don’t have the right amount of both physical and mental stimulation, they’re more likely to expressing their boredom through excessive barking. By making sure your pup gets plenty of exercise, you help prevent boredom-related barking episodes.
The Role of Mental Stimulation
In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is equally important to reducing excessive barking. Engaging your Bernedoodle’s mind through puzzle toys, interactive games, and training sessions reduces boredom while contributing to a more content and quieter companion. Mental engagement can be super beneficial for dogs with heightened barking tendencies due to excess energy.
The Power of Socialization
Socialization, as we’ve discussed in many other articles, plays a pivotal role in shaping a dog’s behavior, including barking. Introducing your Bernedoodle to different environments, people, and dogs from an early age helps reduce anxiety and fear-related barking. And in turn, a socialized dog is less likely to react with excessive barking when confronted with new experiences.
The Importance of Consistency
Consistency is the cornerstone of effective training in all cases. Without it, any gains made through training sessions will be eroded without consistency. Whether you’re using positive reinforcement, anti-barking collars, or socialization techniques, maintaining a consistent approach is key.
Conclusion: Navigating Bernedoodle Barking
So do Bernedoodles bar a lot? No, they aren’t particularly known for excessive barking. Though as we discussed earlier, every pup is unique in their own ways. So certain Bernedoodles may have more vocal tendencies than others. Managing and curbing excessive barking requires a commitment, by you, their owner. You must be consistent with training, potential use of anti-barking collars, and ensuring your pup gets regular exercise and mental stimulation. And don’t forget that socialization is equally important in shaping a well-mannered and quieter companion.
No matter which approach you take, remember that patience and consistency are super important to ensure you get the desired results with your pup. We believe your furry friend deserves a well-guided, bark-friendly training journey. Enjoy the process, and enjoy bond you’ll develop and build on with your Bernedoodle. With a little effort and a lot of love, you’ll nurture a strong relationship built on trust and understanding. Happy training!
