Comments on: Sometimes It’s Okay To Reply To Your Dog’s Bark

By: Groovy Goldendoodles

Groovy Goldendoodles — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:10:52 +0000

I’ve heard many pet parents talk about their dogs barking to communicate. Harley doesn’t do that very often. He uses his tail and his head. He will stand there staring at you, all the while tilting his head and when you ask him a question he will swish his tail frantically a few times as if to say “try again” When I say the magic word, he will proceed in the direction of whatever it is he wants – a treat, a Greenie, outside, his toy box, etc… So I do believe they find their own way of getting their point across.

By: KB

KB — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 03:14:23 +0000

Since we live in a fairly remote spot, my dogs are allowed to bark when a vehicle or person appears outside our windows. My trainer suggests saying “thank you” and then “enough” (meaning that it’s time to stop barking). It works for everyone except when one of the family arrives home! Then the barking goes on until they walk through the door!

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:04:45 +0000

Haley only barks when she’s “on-duty” and sees or hears something she thinks needs checking out, then she comes running into the room with a look on her face like “Why are you still just sitting there?” Haha.

By: Lauranne

Lauranne — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 09:34:16 +0000

A funny story to do with barking. BD is usually very quiet unless someone sneezes or coughs, then he will give a good bark. It works a treat when I feel a little threatened, I cough and BD barks and ‘grrrs’. Anyway, one evening when I was still living with the ex I was sneaking into the house late, while he was upstairs asleep. I felt this sneeze coming on, I couldn’t fight it. I sneezed, BD barked, the ex was down the stairs in 2 seconds flat to check out why BD was barking (as it was so unusual) It took him a little while to recover!!

By: Dachshund Nola

Dachshund Nola — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:48:25 +0000

My dogs have very specific barks, so I know which ones to respond to and which to ask them to quiet down on.

By: It's Dog or Nothing

It's Dog or Nothing — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 23:14:05 +0000

I ALWAYS respond to Mauja and Atka’s barks because it was what they were bred to do. They not only alert us, but keep any perceived ‘predator’ away from the house. I want to acknowledge (and thank) them for doing their job and then reassure them that I have everything under control so they can relax.

By: Cora

Cora — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:49:31 +0000

I have a couple of persistent barkers – it took Willow about 4 weeks to find her one, and since then she’s not stopped using it – Harvey ‘talks’ (well yells) all the time – although I’ve learned what each kind of bark is. Earlier today in fact I heard a distant squeal – the last time I heard that particular squeal, I had found Harvey in the Room of Doom (aka Studio) with a ball of screwed up gaffer tape stuck to his paw (it was from a backdrop I’d taped up) anyway (cor, this is getting long!!) the gaffer tape was in no way restricting his movement, but he just couldn’t bear the thought of it on him – and squealed – today I heard the same squeal – he’d shut himself in the bathroom the big doughnut he is!! (I’m not sure I needed to write that all out!! hehe, you’re welcome 😉 )

By: Emma

Emma — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:53:55 +0000

It really depends on the bark or howl. When we are just making noise, which some how Mom can tell, we get in trouble and have to stop, but when we have a purpose, she listens.

By: Martine

Martine — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:53:53 +0000

Our older dog is very vocal, but doesn’t bark often. He will bark at me to tell me it’s time for our morning walk, if he feels I’m taking too long to finish my coffee 🙂 An out-of-the-blue bark usually means there is a car pulling up in the driveway. We’re far from the road, so this ‘announcement’ is appreciated.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 15:32:58 +0000

Torrey and Roxy both only bark if they need to. We know if Torrey barks, something is outside and we should go look.