German Shepherds are intelligent, vigilant, and loyal canines, therefore, they are a much-coveted breed among many others. A German Shepherd with strong watchdog instincts can prove to be a priceless addition to your household, providing not only security but companionship and comfort as well. However, one of the most common queries from their prospective owners is whether German Shepherds are over-barkers or not. It’s extremely critical to know this regarding their nature because it is just one of their several traits, which their potential owners should get to know before they take them home.
Today, in this article, we are going to explore the barking habits of German Shepherds and why they bark, how often, and how loudly they bark. But most importantly, give you some useful tips and advice on how to manage and avoid excessive barking.
Understanding German Shepherd Barking Habits
German Shepherds have been found to bark much more than most of the other breeds, and their barking tendency is a part of their genetic makeup as a guardian and shepherd. A German Shepherd will bark from 15 to 20 times, on average, in a day, and the German Shepherd’s barking will range from moderate to copious. Based on a test administered to 26 dogs of various breeds, the bark of the German Shepherd was louder than the noise of a passing truck which produced 86 decibels of noise. Other tests also showed that some German Shepherds produced sounds as loud as 106 decibels.
Moreover, their frequency and rate of barking are also affected by training, environment, and socialization. Thus the best choice is to quell the excessive barking and give them the proper training and attention.
Reasons Why German Shepherds Bark
Control of the barking might be achieved by owners with the knowledge of why a German Shepherd is barking. Some of the most prevalent reasons include:
- Attention-Seeking: German Shepherds adore interaction and thrive on socialization. If left alone, they will constantly bark to gain attention.
- Lack of Exercise and Boredom: German Shepherds need an outlet for extreme exercise and mental stimulation. A bored German Shepherd or an unfed one will bark as a means of venting or as a release of pent-up energy.
- Fear and Anxiety: German Shepherds bark at unfamiliar noises or unusual events. Maybe it signifies that the pet is anxious or scared.
- Territorial Behavior: German Shepherds bark as a watchdog whenever they are threatened to their domain like visitors coming to their home.
- Separation Anxiety: German Shepherds whine and bark persistently when they are left at home alone for several hours as they are anxious to be away from their owners. This is mostly common in puppies, who whine during the night due to separation anxiety.
- Excitement: Barking dogs while showing excitement for play or meeting people is an evident sign of dogs’ happiness. It reveals the pleasure of communication with the human family.
- Age-Related Changes: German Shepherds with advanced age will bark more due to cognitive change with aging or disorientation.
How to Prevent Excessive Barking?
German Shepherds require patience and persistence to be prevented from over-barking. Efficient ways are as follows:
- Training: “Quiet” commands can be trained to quiet barking. Rewards for calm during training must be employed.
- Socialization: Socializing your dog to new environments and locations might help eliminate anxiety barking perhaps due to acclimatization to new things. Not only that, it also helps in bonding you and your dog because socialization has a big role in the development of strong bonds between owners and pets.
- Daily Exercise: Keeping your German Shepherd on a regular daily exercise routine will eliminate boredom as well as stop unwanted barking habits.
- Mental Stimulation: Challenge and engage your dog’s mind with puzzle toys or training sessions that keep them occupied.
- Adequate Rest: Provide your German Shepherd with a proper resting area as rested dogs bark less. Observe the resting positions of your dog such as curled up or stretched out, and give them the respective bedding.
- Desensitize Your German Shepherd to Triggers: If your German Shepherd barks excessively at some triggers, for example, visitors or other pets, try to desensitize them to such triggers.
- Beat Stress and Anxiety: If your German Shepherd barks because of stress or anxiety, Strive to figure out the cause and eliminate it. Some of them will try to flee to isolation in a distant place, like sleeping under a bed, to beat stress.
- Professional Assistance: If constant barking fails to cease, get professional help from a behaviorist. They can offer individualized advice to determine the reason and professional consultation to calm dogs with specific behavior-specific needs.
Final Thoughts
German Shepherds are barking breeds by nature because of their protective and social natures. Although they do bark more than others, if the reason for the barking is understood by the owner, he or she can learn to manage it. The proper exercise, training, and socialization will eliminate most of the intelligent breed’s barking issues, turning them into a polite pet.
