So, do Sheepadoodles bark a lot? Generally, Sheepadoodles do not bark a lot and are considered moderate barkers.
While they are large-sized, they are calm most of the time and do not bark a lot. However, they can sometimes get loud, depending on external stressors, such as fear and anxiety.
The Sheepadoodle is an adorable breed that can be a great addition to any pet-loving family. The breed is a mix of a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog.
The two parents are known for their great personalities, which the Sheepadoodle inherits.
Finding a perfect pet for your family means considering every habit and personality trait. You must also ensure that their personality line up with the expectations of your family.
If you plan to add a Sheepadoodle to your family or already have one, you might wonder about their barking tendencies.
If you are looking for a friendly and docile, a Sheepadoodle can be a perfect choice.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about Sheepadoodles’ barking behavior. Keep reading to learn more.
Are Sheepadoodles Calm Dogs?
As mentioned, the Sheepadoodle is a mix of the Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog. Both parents are friendly and calm dogs that love interacting with humans and being near other pets.
Fortunately, the Sheepadoodle inherits these traits. These dogs are great for both kids and adults.
They do not have excessive barking tendencies. If you are looking for a dog that will not disturb your neighbors with a lot of barking, this is one of the breeds to consider.
Sheepadoodles are also less aggressive and tend to accept strangers, given their space and time. They can be good watchdogs if proper training is done.
However, they are more mellow than most other dog breeds and are meant to be territorial and protective.
Why Is My Sheepadoodle Aggressive?
Generally, Sheepadoodles are not aggressive dogs. However, if your dog is aggressive most of the time, then poor socialization may likely be the cause.
Regardless of the dog breed, all puppies should be socialized adequately. They should be exposed to different animals and people while still young.
You should also buy your puppy from a reputable breeder. All breeders are not the same. Some may give you a low-quality puppy that has not been properly socialized.
A breeder’s responsibility is to socialize the puppies before they are allowed to join their new families.
When a puppy is ready for sale, it should already have been socialized to a large extent. Some of the questions you can ask your breeder are:
- Is the puppy friendly with other puppies?
- Has it been exposed to various smells, sounds, and smells?
- Has the puppy met strangers?
Your responsibility is to continue socializing your puppy once you bring it home. If your Sheepadoodle is mature and aggressive, you can look for a professional trainer to help your pet unlearn the behaviors.
Causes Of Sheepadoodle Barking
All dogs are meant to bark, and Sheepadoodles are no exception. While they are considered moderate barkers, several factors can cause their increase in barking.
If your furry friend is usually calm but has recently started to bark a lot, here is what could be troubling them.
Fear
Barking is a dog’s way of communicating with its owners. If this is a new behavior, something new in the environment may be causing them to be fearful.
Shepadoodles are not known to be nervous and twitchy pets. Instead, they are calm and relaxed.
Dogs are also more sensitive to sounds and odors than humans. A strange smell in the area can easily disturb them.
They can also bark upon hearing distressing sounds like distant explosions or fireworks.
New Environment
Your Sheepadoodle may experience anxiety if you recently underwent a significant change or transition, like changing your residential area.
They will express this by barking and whimpering. Some dogs will even change their sleeping and eating habits.
However, this should not worry you a lot. Your Sheepadoodle will soon adjust and return to its calm and friendly self over time. All you need to do is offer them love and maximum care.
Anxiety
If your normally quiet furry friend suddenly starts barking excessively, it could be because of an anxiety disorder. In such situations, you will need to consider the amount of time your spend with your dog.
Sheepadoodles are cuddly and social animals that will do well when spending time with their owners. If they are left alone for a long period, they can be prone to feel abandoned and lonely.
In addition to feeling lonely, the lack of mental and physical stimulation will frustrate your furry friend, thus triggering anxiety.
If you have a Sheepadoodle, you should try to make time and spend more time with them. You can also increase the duration of cuddles, playtime, and walks to help with anxiety.
Insufficient Socialization
Insufficient socialization may be one of the reasons why your dog is barking a lot. Sheepadoodles that lack proper socialization tend to bark at anything or sometimes nothing.
You should start socializing your Sheepadoodle very early when they are still young. This will help them become more open to new people and environmental changes.
If your furry friend is not properly socialized, it will keep barking needlessly new, thinking it is a danger or a threat.
Lack Of Exercise
Sheepadoodles are energetic dogs that can spend the whole day playing around. Insufficient exercise may be one of the causes why your dog is barking a lot.
Lack of exercise or insufficient exercise can make your dog exhibit unwarranted behaviors, such as digging and excessive barking.
Your Sheepadoodle can become bored and bark to let off its pent-up energy. This is easy to deal with. You can create a regular exercise routine to help reduce any pent-up energy if it has.
Your dog will be too tired to be barky. Regular exercise is also good for their physical health and may improve their temperament when playing with people or other pets.
Health Problems
By excessive barking, your furry friend might be hinting at something. It may be an injury that is causing them a lot of pain.
If you cannot find any visible injury, internal injury or disorder is possible. Barking is a way for your dog to try to communicate to you that it is in pain.
If nothing is distressing in the environment and your dog is continuously barking, you can take them to a vet for physical inspection.
Excitement
A Sheepadoodle barking out of excitement often has its tail up and its body language playful. The bark is usually stress-free and joyful and is common during playtime.
Excited barking can happen when your furry friend is playing with another dog, children, adults, or even themselves.
There is nothing to worry about if your Sheepadoodle is barking because of excitement.
Just let them bark, as they will be calm after a few minutes. It is a joyful sound that will make your canine friend more relaxed.
Training Your Sheepadoodle To Stop Barking
As stated, barking is normal, and all dogs are meant to bark. However, excessive barking is abnormal and indicates something troubling your dog.
If your Sheepadoodle’s excessive barking is left unresolved, it can become a habit and disturb you and your neighbors.
Here are a few ways you can control nuisance barking:
- Proper socialization is the key. If you socialize your Sheepadoodle from an early age, it will be well-behaved whenever it encounters new people or other pets. Socialization training will help them gain a sense of recognition and understand where they can bark and where they should not.
- You can play interactive games with your dog regularly to keep them busy and mentally occupied. You can also take them for a walk down the park. You will easily blow off their extra energy and prevent unnecessary barking.
- Teach them simple commands like “no,” “quiet,” and “speak” commands. You can use positive reinforcement to make them bark or stop barking. Remember to treat your furry friend when it obeys the commands.
Conclusion
If you were asking yourself whether Sheepadoodles bark a lot, you are answered. These adorable dogs are considered moderate barkers.
They do not bark a lot unless something is troubling them. Some causes of excessive barking are fear, anxiety, excitement, lack of exercise, health problems, and insufficient socialization.