Let’s get right down to it. No, sheepadoodles don’t bark a lot. They are very social animals and achieve a good temperament with adequate care and affection.
Sheepadoodles are an ideal dog breed if you have enough time to take care of them properly. The dog is a cross-breed of a poodle and the Old English sheepdog. The hybrid dog breed has become extremely popular despite its high cost of acquisition and maintenance.
That said, if you can’t socialize sheepadoodles or train them, sheepadoodles can bark a lot. Here is what this piece will cover to help you understand sheepadoodles better:
- What causes sheepadoodles to bark excessively?
- Are sheepadoodles natural barkers, and how to stop their barking?
- What are the pros and cons of sheepadoodles?
What Causes Sheepadoodles To Bark Excessively?
All dogs are capable of barking, especially when in distress. But sheepadoodles may bark a lot due to the following:
- Fear
- New surroundings
- Excitement
- Lack of socialization or exercise
Fear
One of a sheepadoodle’s primary responses to fear might be barking a lot. Sheepadoodles are usually very well-mannered. Hence, anything that unsettles a sheepadoodle might cause it to bark a lot.
Anxiety is also another cause of incessant barking in sheepadoodles. Some sheepadoodle owners have observed that their dog barks a lot whenever they leave them alone due to separation anxiety.
New Surroundings
Dogs are creatures of habit and like to be in familiar surroundings. If you change residences or move to an entirely new place, your sheepadoodle may begin to bark a lot. But this won’t last long as they will stop once they have acclimated to the new changes.
Excitement
Your sheepadoodle may bark a lot to express their excitement or joy. You will often notice that something has triggered their upbeat mood. Thus, you can minimize its exposure to items that excite it or train it to be less vocal.
You can also set aside some time for exciting activities to help your sheepadoodle remain calm and collected when you need it. But if you notice that your sheepadoodle gets excited quickly and is too vocal, there is little or nothing you can do. In such instances, you should consider that sheepadoodles aren’t for everyone and go for a more mellow dog breed.
Lack of Socialization or Exercise
Sheepadoodles that have insufficient socialization will bark at anything or nothing at all. Such dogs will often feel threatened by anything that moves, including small kids, adults, or other dogs.
Socializing sheepadoodles should begin very early, preferably when they are still puppies. Early socializing will help them become more open to changes in the environment and new people. If your sheepadoodle is properly socialized but still barks a lot, the problem might be the lack of exercise.
Sheepadoodles are very energetic, and a lack of exercise can make them exhibit unwarranted behaviors such as barking or digging around. Create a regular exercise routine for your sheepadoodle to help minimize any pent-up energy it may have. Exercising is also good for the dog’s physical health and may improve its temperament when playing with you or other dogs.
Are Sheepadoodles Natural Barkers and How To Stop Their Barking?
Sheepadoodles are pretty big, often creating the impression that they are barkers. But this is not the case as they have a docile demeanor and are obedient to commands. These gentle giants can sometimes engage in nuisance barking.
If you notice that your sheepadoodle barks for no particular, try the following:
- Teach them the “Shhh” or “Quiet” command, then use it if they start to bark
- Teach the dog to bark when commanded, such as after listening to a whistle
- Use positive reinforcement, such as treats, to discourage them from barking
- Expose your sheepadoodle to new surroundings and senses as soon and as much as possible
- Get them dog toys to help minimize boredom and keep them active when you have to focus on doing something else
- Take your sheepadoodle for a walk or a few exercises at least once every day
It’s easy to train sheepadoodles, and you should see results after a few days or weeks. We are big fans of clicker training. Remember to be patient with your sheepadoodle if the barking is still persistent. You can get help from a professional dog trainer to better understand why the barking isn’t going away.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Sheepadoodles?
The pros of owning a sheepadoodle include the following:
- They are very friendly, which makes them easy to own if you have a family
- Easy to train
- Sheepadoodles are gentle and can socialize quite easily with other dogs
- They are intelligent, which makes them quick learners
Owning a sheepadoodle doesn’t come without its downside. Some of their cons are:
- They have a lot of energy, requiring a lot of exercise time
- Require regular grooming
- Tend to nip and bite
- Don’t like being alone and may experience separation anxiety
- May engage in destructive chewing if not trained
- Expensive to acquire and maintain
Despite their drawbacks, sheepadoodles are excellent pets with a lifespan of about 11-12 years. Ensure you consult a vet or a professional sheepadoodle breeder when getting one.
Final Thoughts – Do Sheepadoodles Bark a Lot?
“Do sheepadoodles bark a lot” is a question that will likely cross your mind if you are thinking about getting one. The answer is no. If they do, it’s because of fear, insufficient socialization, excitement, and being in a new environment.
Luckily, getting sheepadoodles to stop barking with proper training and socialization is easy. But remember that it’s normal for a dog to bark occasionally. Nevertheless, carefully weigh the pros and cons when deciding if sheepadoodles are the dog breed for you.
