Can’t sleep because your Goldendoodle is barking? Neighbors complaining about the noise? Is your Goldendoodle barking excessively and you don’t know what to do about it? Don’t worry, your cute Goldendoodle is barking for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons for barking are valid while others might be a bad habit. We will let you know why your Goldendoodle is barking and how to stop it.
Do Goldendoodles bark?
Yes, Goldendoodles bark. All dogs bark. However, there is always a reason why your Goldendoodle is barking. Chances are your dog barks when they want more food or to go outside. In addition, Goldendoodle probably barks when the mail gets delivered or when visitors arrive at your front door. These brief barking moments are healthy and a natural way for your dog to communicate with you. It only becomes a problem if the barking becomes excessive and non-stop.
Why do Goldendoodles bark?
The following information reveals the most common reasons why Goldendoodles bark:
1. Territory Barking
Goldendoodles have a natural instinct to protect their territory. This area includes the house, yard, and any surrounding area they consider to be theirs. Barking occurs when your dog senses an intruder or another animal is on the premises and barks loudly to inform you and scare them away.
Once your dog knows the threat is gone they will stop barking. Territorial barking can come in the form of short barking sessions or long sessions. The time frame is determined by how your Goldendoodle perceives the threat and when they feel the intruder is gone and the territory is safe again.
Territory barking is a benefit to having a Goldendoodle as part of your family. While the barking might seem loud and aggressive, it’s actually a productive bark. Keep in mind that as long as your dog is barking they are sensing danger and if the barking goes on for a long period of time, the danger might be hiding where you can’t see it but your dog senses it.
Many pet parents have credited their dog for protecting them with their territory bark because it revealed an intruder hiding in the backyard or trying to get inside a window. The dog barking alerted the owners and prompted them to turn on the alarm and contact the police just in time to catch the intruder.
So, if your Goldendoodle is territorial and barking excessively, pay close attention to the area of the house your dog is sensing the danger from. Typically, a territorial bark is something you want to encourage your dog to do so they can become an excellent guard dog.
If your Goldendoodle is excessively barking over their territory, there’s a chance they feel like an object is causing danger or intruding on their territory. Sometimes this intruder is a curtain hanging in the window and blowing in the wind. In this case, tying back the curtain will solve the problem quickly.
It’s wise to remove any objects from your home or around your home that your dog sees as an intruder. If the item is necessary you can train your dog to understand it’s a safe object by allowing them to become familiar with it by sniffing and exploring the object under your supervision.
2. Alert Barking
Your Goldendoodle is a little spy that likes to gossip! When your dog sees something outside of the window or hears a noise they sound their alert bark to let you know they discovered a noise, object, or person they think you should know about.
For example, if your friend is arriving to visit and they parked their car in your driveway, there’s a big chance your dog will start barking as soon as the car enters the driveway.
Sometimes alert barking can be the result of your Goldendoodle hearing another dog in the distance and responding to that dog. The alert bark is your dog letting you know there’s possible canine danger around the area.
Alert barking usually disappears after the specific trigger is gone or your pet feels you are safe.
3. Anxiety Barking
Anxiety barking is the most common amongst Goldendoodles who excessively bark. When your dog is feeling anxiety they howl, bark, and whine as a sign of distress.
The most popular form of anxiety in Goldendoodles is due to being separated from their owner. Separation anxiety happens to most dogs and there’s a logical reason that explains why dogs have separation anxiety.
In the wild, your dog is part of a canine pack that works together to survive. They rarely separate from each other and even sleep cuddled together just like a litter of puppies does when they are firstborn.
Since you and your family are your dog’s new pack, it’s not natural for them to be separated and left alone. Not only does your dog feel lonely, but they also feel abandoned and scared. They express their anxiety about the situation by constantly barking. In their mind, they are calling their pack back towards them or alerting their pack they need help.
Unfortunately, severe cases of separation anxiety have caused health issues in some Goldendoodles such as depression, sadness, loneliness, and rapid heart rates. You might notice that your dog’s personality changes over time.
Sometimes pet owners don’t know their Goldendoodle is excessively barking due to separation anxiety until a neighbor complains about the noise.
There are a variety of things you can do to train your dog to remain calm when left alone. Creating a soothing environment that includes a designated area for your dog that has a pet bed, blanket, toys, food, water, and soft classical music playing does wonders for calming anxiety. In severe cases, Goldendoodles owners will use a bark collar or citronella collar to try to stop their dog from excessively barking.
This type of environment helps your dog feel safe, calm, fed, and entertained. Placing a few treats in an interactive dog toy also helps keep your dog’s mind stimulated while you are away from home.
Practicing leaving your home in a calm manner is also helpful. Create a routine that will help your dog understand the pack is going to be leaving the house soon. Most families rush around in the morning getting dressed, eating breakfast, and rushing out the front door.
If you have a dog with separation anxiety you can start their morning a bit nicer by taking them for a walk, giving them their breakfast, and settling them into their serene environment. It’s also important that you don’t make a big deal about you leaving the house.
Some pet parents report they feel separation anxiety from their dogs too and they hug and kiss their dog so much before they leave it makes the dog feel like they will never see their owner again, which leads to more anxiety.
Even if your heart is breaking when you leave your dog home alone don’t express it to your dog. Instead, talk to your dog in a nice soft tone and tell them you are going to work, to the store, to pick up the kids from school, or anywhere you are going and that you will be back soon.
Practice leaving the house calmly and not making a big deal out of it. Your dog will sense the change in your emotions and that it’s no big deal and will follow your emotional example.
If you are unable to help your dog with their separation anxiety it’s wise to consult with a professional dog trainer for further assistance.
4. Fear Barking
Some Goldendoodles experience fear more than others. Dogs that grow up in a safe environment with a loving family don’t have the same lifestyle as dogs that grow up abandoned on the streets or left to die by abusive owners.
Some Goldendoodles become fearful of being in a shelter due to the combination of being isolated in a cage as well as being surrounded by tons of other dogs. Some shelters can be chaotic and scary for dogs. If you have rescued a dog from a shelter you might notice they are sensitive to sound and might fear other dogs. You might also notice that your dog barks a lot when you go to drop them off at the veterinarian’s.
While not all shelter Goldendoodles are afraid, many do have adjusting to do in their new environment and most acclimate to their new surroundings happily and quickly.
Whatever the reason your Goldendoodle feels fear, they will express it with excessive barking. Learning the triggers that cause your dog’s fear is essential to stopping the barking. If the fear is from an object, remove it from your dog’s environment. If your dog has a difficult time being around people, socialize them and train them to feel more comfortable in that type of environment.
All Goldendoodles are different and have their own special reasons for feeling fearful and afraid. If you can’t pinpoint your dog’s triggers consult with a professional dog trainer for further assistance and tips to help stop the behavior.
5. Play Barking
Play barking is done out of having fun and being playful. Most Goldendoodles bark a little when they play with toys, a game of fetch, tug-of-war, and other games with their pet parents and family. Some Goldendoodles have a great time all by themselves and bark at their toys when nobody is around.
The only time when play barking becomes an issue is when it’s excessive. If your dog is constantly barking at their toys for no reason or at you during playtime you need to train them to lessen their barking. Usually, your dog is overly excited to play with toys and their owners.
The most common reason dogs excessively play bark is when they are around other dogs. Most dogs communicate with each through barking loudly. If this is the case, limit your dog’s playtime with other dogs or try to train them not to bark at other dogs by getting their attention.
For example, allow your dog to play with another dog for about 10 minutes then it’s time to go home. During the brief playtime allow your dog to be a dog and let out all their vocal expressions. If your dog is continuously barking at other dogs at the dog park or being aggressive, you need to seek assistance from a professional trainer to pinpoint the cause and correct their behavior.
How to Train Your Goldendoodle Not to Bark
Sometimes your cute curly-haired Goldendoodle just likes to bark because they like to hear their voice or they have developed a bad habit. Training your dog to not bark unless it’s for a valid reason such as to alert you, protect their territory, and to eat or go outside, takes patience and understanding on your part.
Using a reward system with treats and praise is an excellent way to train your Goldendoodle not to bark. Keep in mind that dogs think they are being rewarded anytime you give them attention. So if you spend your days and nights yelling at your Goldendoodle to stop barking, you are actually just rewarding them for their behavior.
It sounds unusual, but helping your Goldendoodle to stop barking by ignoring their barking and praising them for their good behavior by doing other things will make them want to do the other things that earn them treats and attention more than the barking that doesn’t give them any reward at all.
In severe barking cases, you can also try an anti-bark collar or a citronella collar to prevent barking.
Bark Collars for a Goldendoodle
Some Goldendoodles are stubborn and don’t always train as quickly as you need them to, especially if your neighbors are complaining about the constant barking. The pet industry and manufacturers understand the immediate need to stop dogs from barking and have created a safe way to train your dog using various types of bark collar.
Articles you might like: Best Bark Collars for Large Dogs and Best Bark Collars for Small Dogs.
Bark collars come in a variety of colors and offer correction modes such as beep, vibration, shock, and citronella. As a loving pet parent, you might feel hesitant to use a bark collar on your Goldendoodle, but they are safe and effective.
The citronella bark collar uses scent to distract your dog from their barking. The collar is activated when it senses your dog’s bark and releases a small spray of citronella into the air which stops your dog from barking. The bark collars that use beep sounds, vibration, and shock work the same way.
Conclusion Why is Your Goldendoodle Barking And How To Stop It
Stopping your dog from barking is easier than you think. It takes patience, understanding, and a variety of training methods to make it stop. The helpful tips mentioned above will guide you in solving your dog’s excessive barking issues and help you live in harmony with your pet.
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in the Bay Area and got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.