Do Goldendoodles Bark a Lot? Good And Bad Barking

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Barking is one of a dog’s most undesirable behaviors, and a dog that barks constantly can be a real nuisance, especially if you live in an apartment or if you have near neighbors. 

So, do Goldendoodles bark a lot? Why do dogs bark? And how can you train your canine companion to keep quiet?

Read this guide for some helpful barking prevention tips.

Do Goldendoodles Bark A Lot?

Portrait picture of a Goldendoodle outdoors

Goldendoodles are an amazing breed with excellent personality that makes them wonderful family pets. But they can bark, just like any breed of dog. 

Barking is a completely natural thing for a dog to do and is used to express lots of different emotions. In fact, there are different kinds of barks that are triggered by different events. Goldendoodles can bark a little bit or a lot, depending on the trigger. 

So, if a particular trigger happens multiple times during the day, your Goldendoodle will bark a lot. The trick to solving the problem is in working out what is triggering the barking in the first place and then take action to correct the behavior.

Why Do Goldendoodles Bark?

There are lots of reasons why Goldendoodles bark. Sometimes, barking is “good,” and sometimes it is “bad.”

Examples Of “Good Barking”

Here are a few examples of when barking can be a good thing:

Someone’s There!

The most common reason for your Goldendoodle to bark is to alert you to something or someone. For example, most dogs start barking when a stranger or the mailman comes to the front door.

I Need Something!

If your Goldendoodle wants to go outside or has dropped a toy somewhere he can’t reach it; he might bark to alert you to the emergency!

Happiness

Goldendoodle Pros And Cons

Many dogs bark for pure joy! So, if you’ve been out at work, your Goldendoodle might bark, simply because he’s so delighted to see you.

Examples Of “Bad Barking”

Unfortunately, most barking is regarded by most people as bad behavior.

Separation Anxiety

By far, the most common cause of bad barking is separation anxiety. Goldendoodles are very sociable, loving dogs that need to be around people as much as possible. So, if you need to leave your dog home alone, it’s very common for him to start barking.

Barking can be a sign of distress, loneliness, and a lack of sufficient exercise. So, to cure the problem of a barker, you first need to work out what’s causing the barking and take steps to fix that.

Common Barking Triggers

As mentioned above, before you can cure your Doodle of barking, you need to know what’s causing the behavior. According to the RSPCA, excessive barking is triggered by one or more of the following common causes: 

Trigger 1: Territory Barking

Goldendoodles are well-known to be one of the most social dog breeds with loving personalities, and that makes them somewhat territorial in nature. Also, Doodles are loyal, loving animals that will do what they think is  necessary, to protect their human “pack.”

So, a Goldendoodle’s natural instinct when a stranger invades their space is to start alert barking. That’s generally to alert you to the fact that someone or something unfamiliar is there that could be a threat.

Also, barking is a dog’s first method of threatening an intruder in an attempt to frighten away the threat.

Trigger 2: Fear

Goldendoodle Running near Trees

Goldendoodles are friendly, laid-back dogs, but they can be frightened by unfamiliar sights and sounds. The dog’s first reaction to something that it perceives as a threat is to bark in an effort to scare away the danger.

Sometimes, loud noises can trigger a fear-barking response. All dogs are individuals, and what bothers one might not bother another. So, as you get to know your Doodle, you’ll get to know what upsets him and what doesn’t. Examples of common fear barking triggers include:

  • Fireworks
  • Motorbikes and cars backfiring
  • Airplanes
  • Screaming children
  • Loud vehicles
  • Unfamiliar situations
  • Thunderstorms

Basically, any unfamiliar, totally random situation can trigger unnecessary barking. For example, I once owned a dog that always barked at the sight of men wearing hats!

Trigger 3: Attention Seeking

Goldendoodle close up smiling

Goldendoodles are extremely sociable dogs that love to be the center of attention. In a family setting, your Doodle will be the life and soul of the party. Sometimes, especially when your pet is a puppy or a very young dog, barking is viewed by the pup as the perfect way to get your attention.

Sometimes, barking for attention is not necessarily bad barking. It could be that the dog needs to get outside to relieve himself, or perhaps you forgot to feed him! Joking apart, the dog might be trying to tell you that he is in pain, and barking or whimpering is the only way he can think of to draw your attention to his plight.

It’s especially common for dogs that have come from shelters or rescues to bark a lot. Those dogs get into the habit of barking in response to the general comings and goings around the rescue, especially if other dogs adjacent to them are barking, too.  

Trigger 4: Separation or Isolation Distress

One downside of the Goldendoodle is that they can suffer from separation anxiety when kept away from their owners. Isolation distress is another common issue for Doodles. 

So, what’s the difference between separation anxiety and isolation distress?

Well, separation anxiety refers to when the dog becomes upset when parted from his special human family member. Dogs with that condition often follow their owner from room to room, even refusing to go outside without them.

Isolation distress is the term that refers to dogs that become stressed and upset when kept alone. Those dogs are usually quite happy when they have the company of another pet or person, such as another dog, cat, or a house sitter. 

Anxiety barking is the most common reaction in dogs that suffer from either isolation distress or separation anxiety, followed by chewing, destructive behaviors, and even self-harm, such as paw-chewing.

Trigger 5: Health Issues

An increase in barking can indicate that your dog might be suffering from pain or discomfort caused by a health condition.

Dogs don’t usually bark unless a sharp pain startles them. However, it’s pretty common for discomfort to cause a dog to whine or whimper.

So, be aware of the potential meaning of these vocal signals when you’re grooming or petting your Goldendoodle. Watch out for paw licking, scratching, limping, head shaking, or teeth chattering. 

Trigger 6: Loneliness

Dogs are natural pack creatures that are happiest when surrounded by others of their own kind or their human pack substitute.

Goldendoodles don’t do well when left alone. If your dog feels like he’s being neglected, he might start barking simply to tell anyone who can hear him that he’s alone and needing some company.

How To Minimize Barking

Goldendoodle on top of a grey couch.

Now, let’s talk about how to keep your Goldendoodle barking problem to a minimum.

What’s The Cause?

If you have concerns about barking, you first need to play detective to work out why your dog is barking in the first place. Once you’ve established the cause of the barking sessions, you can set about curing your Doodle of the barking habit.

Territorial Barking

If your Goldendoodle is inclined to bark when someone comes to your home, the easiest way to prevent them from kicking up a rumpus is to create sight barriers between the dog and the entry point.

Obvious barking triggers for territorial dogs include your living room windows and your front door. Whenever someone comes to the door or walks past the window on the street outside, your Doodle protects his patch and his pack by barking his head off to scare away the perceived danger.

So, keep your shades or drapes pulled across windows and consider replacing a door that has glass panels with a solid one.

Separation Anxiety

Goldendoodle lying on her blanket inside kennel.

Dogs that become very anxious when you leave the house and resort to constant barking can often be calmer if you create a quiet area where your pup feels safe and secure and enjoys spending time.

That space should be well away from the front door and in a peaceful spot where there’s no foot traffic during times when you’re home. Train your Doodle to retreat to his safe area, perhaps to a kennel, and he will soon associate that place as his den.

If you don’t want to use a crate, a baby gate can be useful in preventing the dog from leaving the room without actually closing the door, which can create feelings of anxiety in some pups.

Distraction Strategies

If your dog suffers from isolation distress, simply adding another pet to your household can do the trick. Dog-friendly cats often make excellent companions for a lonely Goldendoodle, sometimes even sleeping in the same bed as your dopey dog!

Some dogs are calmed by the sound of a radio or TV playing quietly in the background. Also, a white noise machine can be effective for a dog.

Mental exercise is tiring, too, so leaving a dispenser toy filled with calming treats can keep your pup entertained and distract him from your absence. Alternatively, leave your pet with his favorite toys so that he has something to play with or cuddle up to.

Walkies!

Goldendoodle with a young girl

Sometimes, Goldendoodles can become hyper if they don’t get enough physical exercise every day. On average, a Doodle needs at least one long walk per day, as well as some interactive playtime with you or a trip to the dog park.

A lack of exercise can leave your dog frustrated and often leads to non-stop barking and destructive behaviors. If you’re out during the daytime, it’s well worth asking a friend or hiring a dog walker to come and either take your Goldendoodle out for a walk or spend a while playing fetch or tug-of-war in your backyard.  

When you have a dog, you’ll quickly get to meet other members of the dog-owning community in your area, either on your regular walks or at the dog park. Sometimes, fellow Doodle-loving folks will be all too happy to take your pooch out for a walk while you’re not around if you offer to return the favor. 

Top tip:

In the morning, before you head off to work, try giving your Doodle lots of exercise to tire your dog out. If your pup is tired, he’s more likely to sleep while you’re not around than waste more energy barking.

Ignore The Barking!

If your Goldendoodle barks to get your attention, try to ignore him. As far as your dog is concerned, if you pay attention to him every time he barks, you’re giving him exactly what he wants. So, your Doodle quickly learns that if he barks, he’ll get your attention. Effectively, your dog is training you!

So, when your dog starts barking at you, you can adopt one of a few strategies:

  • Turn away and ignore your dog. Don’t say a word.
  • Leave the room for a period of time. Shut the door to create a physical barrier so that the dog can’t see you. When your dog stops creating a fuss and the barking stops, go back into the room and continue as if nothing has happened.
  • As soon as the barking stops, you must reward your dog with a treat and praise him.

Ignoring your dog’s barking is not easy, and it takes a lot of willpower on your part to do so. Don’t give up, even though you’ll feel like you’re up and down every five minutes at first! Fortunately, Goldendoodles are smart cookies, and positive reinforcement training is proven to be highly effective when combined with patience and perseverance.

Methods NOT To Use

The tips given above are humane and usually yield success when teaching your dog not to bark. However, here are a few methods that you should never use. 

Physical Punishment

Never hit your dog! Using physical punishment on your dog is cruel and it won’t stop him from barking anyway. In fact, if you make your Goldendoodle afraid of you, you will exacerbate the fear or insecurity that’s causing the excessive barking issues, probably making the problem worse.

Goldendoodles respond best to positive reinforcement training. So, reward-based training always has the best results.

Are Barking Collars Cruel?

A bark collar reacts to the vibration of your dog’s vocal cords when the animal barks. Some types of bark collar spray the dog with citronella, administer a short shock, or emit a high-pitched sound. These devices generally don’t work. Like other forms of punishment, bark collars simply make the dog afraid and stressed, sometimes even causing pain.

A dog should not be punished for barking. Barking is a perfectly natural behavior for any dog, so your Doodle won’t understand what he’s doing wrong if you punish him.

Yelling At Your Dog

Just like physical punishment, yelling at your pet can make a stressful situation even worse. Almost certainly, the dog won’t understand what he’s done to displease you and you risk damaging the bond between the two of you.

Allowing The Dog To Bark Excessively

One of the main complaints to local authorities and causes of friction between neighbors is severe barking. If you simply leave your dog home alone or shut him outside and he barks all day and night, you’re asking to end up in court!

There are ways of addressing needless barking but ignoring the dog and letting him bark constantly isn’t one of them.

In Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed our thoughts on whether Goldendoodles bark a lot and found our tips helpful. Sharing is caring!

Goldendoodles don’t generally bark more than other breeds. However, if your Doodle is a barker, there’s a good reason for his behavior. Your dog might be fearful, in pain, lonely, or simply being over-protective of you and your family. It’s up to you to work out your pet’s reasons for barking and take appropriate steps to cure the habit.

Did you successfully prevent your Goldendoodle’s barking? Tell us how you did it in the comments box below.

Meet our writer

Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish.

2 thoughts on “Do Goldendoodles Bark a Lot? Good And Bad Barking”

  1. My dog won’t stop barking when he is in his crate. I work third shift and my daughter works first shift so there’s always someone home , but he seems to bark a lot lately. Sometimes he barks at the wall and shakes his head should I be concerned?

    Reply

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