Mary Allen
Do small dogs bark more than big dogs? On this page, we will show you why this could be the case.
You will also find tips on how to stop your dog from barking senselessly. Because that has a lot to do with upbringing.
Some dogs hardly ever bark. And then there are the dogs that keep barking and won’t stop.
I’m sure you feel the same way, that you immediately have a small dog in mind.
But why does this cliche of the barking little dog exist? And is it true that the little ones bark the most and loudest?
Barking is communication
Dogs bark to communicate with each other.
Dogs communicate with each other as well as with us humans in very different ways:
- olfactory perception: a sense of smell
- visual perception: body language
- tactile perception: physical contact
- auditory perception: barking
sense of smell
The sense of smell is particularly important. He is used on walks when the male dog marks his territory or the dog “reads” the scent marks of other dogs.
body language
Dogs like to use body language to communicate. Everyone knows the well-known “dog look” that is irresistible to us humans.
physical contact
Dogs also talk about physical contact. Think about what your dog does when he wants to cuddle?
Does he nudge you with his nose or just lay down next to you? You certainly know these signs very well.
barking has special tasks
In contrast to these types of communication, barking is necessary when dogs want to communicate something without physical or visual contact. The dog expects an immediate reaction to the barking.
For us humans, it is often simply not understood why the dog barks. We don’t understand him. That’s why we usually don’t know why the situation at the moment simply requires the dog to bark.
Dogs bark for different reasons
In a pack of dogs, the role of barking is to warn, rally pack members, and frighten away foreign intruders.
Dogs that live with us humans no longer just bark to warn or drive away. They bark for very different reasons because they have adapted to living with us.
For example, dogs bark when they are alone. They then call for their caregiver.
If there are several dogs in the vicinity, dogs will start barking when the neighbor’s dog barks. They just imitate him.
Dogs can bark out of boredom when they want our attention. Because dogs know very well that we usually react very quickly to it.
Excessive barking is a parenting mistake
Dogs that have not been adequately socialized as puppies tend to respond by barking at people or other dogs. Some dog breeds get upset easily and then bark significantly more than others.
However, excessive barking is rarely breed-related. Unfortunately, it is mostly a mistake in upbringing.
After all, our house dogs have learned from living with us that their barking almost always elicits a reaction from us.
It’s our fault if our four-legged friend develops into a barking hyena.
And here the little ones are often really at the forefront because the owners are not consistent enough in their upbringing and let a lot of things slide. True to the motto: “Oh, the little one is so cute, I can always raise him later”. A bark control collar will not help later.
Why do small dogs bark more often?
First example: Just imagine that you are walking a large dog, for example, a Great Dane that weighs 50 to 60 kilos. No matter who comes towards you, the dog starts barking like crazy.
The passers-by will react anxiously and angrily to the dog and you as the dog owner.
Second example: Now imagine the dog on your leash is a small 5-pound Chihuahua or Yorkie who is acting mad.
Many oncoming people will respond to these outbursts with a smile. There’s nothing he can do anyway, right? Notice the difference?
We can influence the dog
So our behavior can have a huge impact on the behavior of our dogs. We have to make sure that the dog feels comfortable, doesn’t suffer from fears, and doesn’t get upset either.
If the dog barks at an unwanted moment, we tend to talk to the dog or speak sharply to him. But that is exactly the wrong way.
Under no circumstances should you “bark along”. Otherwise, your dog will even feel validated because he thinks we support him. Instead of “barking along”, ignoring is usually the much better reaction.
Barking is a matter of education
The dog often comes to us at a certain age and already has its quirks. No matter why the dog has developed into a barker. First, you will have to find out why this is so.
After that, targeted training with the help of a dog trainer can help to get the barking under control.
But please don’t give yourself any false illusions. It’s a long and hard road. And it’s not just dog owners with small breeds who go this route.
If small dogs bark that much more than big dogs, then it’s our fault. Think back to the example of a Chihuahua and a Great Dane, both dogs barking the same amount. Great Dane owners may just be more consistent in dog training.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you stop dogs from barking?
Make your dog bark two or three times and praise him for being alert. Then say “Stop!” and offer him a treat. Your dog will stop barking immediately because he can’t smell the treat while barking.
When is a dog a barker?
A really common cause of the unwanted barking is unconscious reinforcement from the owner’s constant attention. This is often a small vicious circle. The dog barks and the human responds in some way, be it scolding or calming down.
Why is my dog barking at small children?
Play with me! Dogs bark at each other while playing and challenge each other. Therefore, there is a high probability that your dog only wants to play with the child and expresses this need by barking and growling.
What to do if your dog barks out of insecurity?
If your dog is very anxious or insecure, using a collar that releases dog pheromones can also be helpful. The soothing scents can relieve your four-legged friend’s tension. Tip: Good leash control can also help against barking. Because you decide where to go.
When is my dog allowed to bark?
In general, it can be said that the courts are more willing to accept the barking of dogs outside of the usual rest periods than disturbing the midday and night rest. These quiet times generally apply from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and at night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. but may differ slightly from municipality to municipality.
Why is my dog barking and growling at me?
Growling is first and foremost communication. Growling means: go away, don’t come near, I’m scared, I’m uncomfortable, I feel threatened. The dog expresses these feelings by sound. Most of the time, we can be sure that the growl was preceded by many other body language signals.
How do I get my dog used to small children?
Explain to your child that they should never push, push, or tug at the dog. Kicking and pinching are of course taboo, as is throwing objects at him. Dogs have good memories and will later remember who used to annoy them.
What can I do if my dog is afraid of children?
It is, therefore, best to consult a veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior therapy. They can work with you to develop suitable training so that your dog loses its fear of children.