Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...BEHAVIOUR AND ATTITUDE (BARKING)

What kind of behaviour and attitude are you looking for in your new potential furry member of your family??? Especially when it comes to barking? Didn't think about that, did you? This kind of falls under temperament, but I wanted to focus on it a bit more, because it's very important in and of itself in helping you make the decision as far as what you are looking for and wanting in a new puppy or dog.

Bet you didn't know it but...some dogs bark. A lot. Some dogs such as terriers and hounds use their voices to let others know about their progress in chasing prey animals. Then there are shelties and collies that will bark to tell the sheep to get back into the barn. Guard dogs will bark to alert their families to potential intruders.

In general, barking dogs do not endear their owners to their neighbors in apartments, condominiums, and neighborhoods. Too much barking can lead to noise laws or even pet limit laws. This is why owners of barking dogs, or dogs that like to bark must be extra vigilant in preventing their pets from becoming a neighborhood pain in the rear.

Many dogs will bark if they are bored or antsy, so owners should make sure they give their doggy friend enough time for training, walking, and play time, and should properly keep them confined if and when they are unable to keep them from disturbing the neighbors. (There are some special collars available to help cease and deter barking in dogs and some training methods that can help in some cases, but if potential owners take the noise factor into consideration, problems are more likely to be minimized.)

Barking is to dogs what talking is to us - can you imagine never being able to speak your piece? Didn't think so - wanting to completely eliminate all barking isn't really necessary, after all, they need time to say what they need to say too - but it is important to know and realize that certain breeds are more prone to having a more 'outspoken' barking 'behaviour' and may get an 'attitude' when you try to quieten them down then others.