A Goldendoodle isn’t a breed. This lovely, intelligent dog is the hybrid offspring of purebred parents – one being a Golden Retriever and the other a poodle.
But Goldendoodles are also very active. Does this mean that they are prone to barking a lot? Indeed. This curly wonder is known for having a barking problem that neighbors hate and often leaves their owners at wit’s end.
Why is the Goldendoodle Prone to Barking?
The reasons behind this are multiple. It could range from an expression of excitement, boredom, alertness, anxiety, and even an underlying health issue, and need for attention. Let’s look at what you can do if you have a Doodle that likes to talk! You know, a little too much…
To stop your dog from barking, it’s essential to understand the reason behind it. Let’s look at the most common causes below.
Expression of Excitement
As mentioned above, Goldendoodles are known for being an active breed. Hence, a lot of barking might just be their way of expressing excitement and engagement when they are having a great time.
Mode of Communication
Dogs often use barking to communicate their needs. In such cases, pay close attention to the context of the dog barking. Is it hungry? Does it feel threatened? Or does the dog want to play?
Alerting the Owner
Goldendoodles are not just active dogs, they also have a very high prey drive. Thus, they may often bark constantly to alert one about someone approaching their doorstep or to tell you that there is a cat sitting on the trash bin outside again!
Feelings of Boredom
Similar to human beings, intelligent dogs need mental stimulation to avoid boredom. When left to their own devices and they become bored, your Goldendoodles may constantly bark to get your attention or show their displeasure.
Health Issues
Pain or discomfort can often cause one’s dog to whine or bark repetitively. In such cases, careful examination of any painful areas or reactions should be made, and if you find any, schedule a visit to the vet as soon as possible.
How to Stop a Doodle from Barking?
Once you have identified the reason why your Goldendoodle is so talkative, it’s time to choose a tactic to minimize this behavior.
Reward Good Behavior
One effective method of minimizing barking levels is by rewarding the calm or relaxed behavior of one’s Doodle.
You can do this by providing dog treats from time to time. Once your Goldendoodle begins to associate calm behavior with treats and rewards, an improvement is most likely to occur.
Create a Calm Place for Your Dog
It’s essential to give sufficient time and space to one’s dog. This will teach them to self-soothe and even decompress after a hectic day. You can do this by creating a small bed or den for your dog and rewarding them with treats for remaining calm in their personal space.
Minimize Window Access
If your Doodle goes into a barking frenzy whenever looking outside, limiting window access is one of the most efficient ways to solve the problem. You can do this by closing the curtains.
Keeping Your Dog Busy
Goldendoodles, possessing an immense amount of energy, require activities to keep them busy and distracted. One must ensure that their dog gets proper exercise, either in the form of running around at a park or going out for a long walk.
This routine can reduce your puppy’s tendency to bark on returning home. You can even provide toys to keep your dog engaged when you are busy.
Early and Regular Training
With proper, determined, and regular training, barking should no longer remain an issue. Train your dogs patiently and regularly, and in no time, your Doodle will be a well-mannered canine for sure!
You can easily use three products to prevent Goldendoodles from barking. It includes the usage of:
- Pet correctors: This device is used to emit a sound and break a dog’s barking pattern. It is often used for redirecting a barking Goldendoodle.
- Calming chews: Infused with natural ingredients, these calming chews help in soothing the dogs and prevent them from barking.
- Thundershirts: Thundershirts swaddle Goldendoodles in times of stress and minimize barking to the greatest extent.
Wrapping It Up
As much as we adore these fur balls, Goldendoodles undoubtedly sometimes have unchecked barking that can prove to be troublesome. However, with the techniques and products mentioned above, you can quickly solve this problem.