Do Border terriers bark? And do they bark a lot are the questions we are going to explain in this article amongst other topics relating to Border terrier barking. Barking is a means of expression for most dogs and they often use this to communicate. Border terriers are not left out. In fact, many border terriers enjoy barking sometimes, they do the job of barking a little too well. And, because border terriers are dogs bred for very active lives, some individuals resort to barking for no particular reason.
The answer to whether border terriers bark a lot or too little is subjective as this will vary from owner to owner. Some border terrier owners are very sensitive to noise and would consider even the most minimal barking excessive while others who are not so noise sensitive may not consider border terrier barking a problem.
Are Border Terriers Noisy Dogs?
There is no ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to this question as the behavior of border terriers varies from place to place. A friend has two Border Terrier dogs, one seems like the quietest Border Terrier dog yet this gentle dove-like sweetheart can become a raging warrior barking terror to strangers that it perceives to be dangerous.
The other does not feign gentleness in any way. Always up to the task and creates activities for itself when it has been unintentionally starved of mental stimulation. Gary, the ever-restive one, could embark on a barking spree for no just reason because he needs to keep himself busy and burn energy. So, border terriers are naturally average noisemakers with an intensity that varies from dog to dog. How much noise a Border terrier makes is dependent on its environment as well as how it was raised.
Also Read: What to Do When Your Border Terrier Becomes Aggressive
Are Border Terriers The Loudest Dogs?
Border terriers may be noisy but they do not come close to dogs like German Shepard, Rottweilers, and Golden Retrievers. And of the terrier group, border terriers can be considered quiet dogs when compared to more talkative breeds like Scottish terriers.
Excessive noisiness is not a trait associated with border terriers. If you ever find your border terrier barking, there is a reason and it is trying to communicate something. And, in situations where you discover your dog has become increasingly loud for reasons you cannot pinpoint, see a veterinarian or a licensed behavior expert.
Are Border Terriers Quiet Dogs?
Even though border terriers are not considered to be very loud dogs, it may be a little impossible to categorize them as quiet dogs because of their agile and restive nature. Border terriers are not dogs that would sit still for too long.
However, based on recent surveys and opinions of experts, they are seen as the calmest of the terrier group. On average, border terriers become noisy because there is a need to. Either they need to mark their territory, pass a warning or just expel energy as they do have a lot of it.
Reasons Why Border Terriers Bark?
Border terriers bark for a myriad of reasons including to pass a signal that there is a problem, to gain attention, to protect themselves and loved ones, due to anxiety, or an undiagnosed behavior problem, to find a playmate, to draw attention to pain, inactivity, tension, excitement, hunger, fear, aggression, and socialization.
Border terriers are very sensitive, agile, and mindful of their environment. They would be the first to pick up the cue that something is wrong and they would keep barking until they feel they have passed their message.
As a breed that loves care, affection, and attention, your border terrier may turn to barking if it feels that it has been neglected by you. And, many times, this tactic works. The dog keeps barking till the owner suspects that there is an issue and then comes to attend to it. Your border may become quiet the moment you step close and carry it in your arms.
Border terriers are fierce protectors. When there is danger nearby or someone strange is approaching you both or either of you, your dog will bark as loudly as it can. The barking is intended to let you know there is a problem and hopefully scare the intruder.
Since they are not immune from suffering anxiety, border terriers use barking as a means to deal with anxiety. They tend to also experience separation anxiety and events that could leave them feeling uncertain can be difficult to deal with.
Border terriers love to play and to them, if barking can get them a playmate or convince you to play with them, they could bark as if their lives depended on it. A good way to confirm this is not the reason your border terrier is barking so loudly is to play with it.
Border terriers communicate their discomfort by barking. This may be done to draw your attention to the pain they are in, to let you know they are hungry or scared. They could also bark as a way of expressing their dissatisfaction with their inactive routine.
The kind of training a dog was exposed to as well as socialization growing up can affect their barking behavior. Many border terriers may bark at moving objects as they tend to perceive them as threats. Others that were not exposed to other animals like cats or other dogs growing up may bark uncontrollably when they sight these animals.
Also Read: Border Terrier Behaviour Problem, Temperament & Aggression
Do Border Terriers Communicate By Barking?
Communication is the major reason why dogs bark. This is how they say there is a problem, let you know they want something, or draw your attention to a situation they would like you to be aware of. It is not advisable to dismiss your border terrier barking as normal behavior because there is always a reason.
When you are unable to decipher why they are barking, it could be they are suffering from a health issue, and inviting an expert over is a fine start to get to the bottom of the issue.
How To Know Why Your Border Terrier Is Barking?
It is not so difficult to interpret your border terrier’s means of communication – barking. All you have to do is pay attention to it whenever it barks and follow its eyes. They are masters of body language so what it’s barking does not give away, its eyes or tail may.
If your dog is barking because it perceives danger for example, following its eyes will help you find who or what it is barking at. You could as well pay for the assistance of an expert skilled in dealing with border terriers to help you better understand your dog.
Border Terrier Barking Problems
Border terrier barking becomes a problem when it is done needlessly and when you cannot understand why it is barking. Common border terrier barking problems include barking during the day or all day, barking during the night or all night, and barking at other dogs, vermin, cats, and smaller animals, as well as humans.
Border terriers may bark all day and all night because they are going through pain or are suffering from an illness. Uninterrupted barking is a sign that something is wrong. However, your dog may bark for most of the day or most of the night because of boredom or restlessness.
The issue of barking at other dogs may be because of perceived aggression or a sign that your border terrier is about to become aggressive. It is not uncommon for border terriers to bark as a way of scaring away intruders or attackers. It could also be because your border terrier is not used to living or co-existing in the same environment with other dogs. This can also be the reason why it barks at other animals like cats.
Barking at humans and moving objects, in general, is like a default for border terriers especially when it feels the human or object is capable of causing harm. However, your border terrier barking at everyone may be a sign of growing aggression or another issue that may not be so obvious. Contact a behavior expert when this happens.
Barking could equally be because your border terrier is triggered. This dog can be triggered by a lot of things like the presence of cats, other dogs, babies, or children, over-protectiveness of the owner, radio or television sounds as well as dark places. You may want to observe possible triggers and keep them away as much as possible if its barking is getting out of hand.
Also Read: How to Train Border Terriers
How To Stop Border Terrier From Barking
The default should be understanding the reason why it is barking and sorting that out. Another approach is not rewarding its behavior when it barks needlessly. When you notice your dog barks to get you to do whatever it wants, you could ignore the barking till when it becomes calm before attending to it.
Try not to punish your border terrier for barking as this would only make matters worse. Commands also work. Use commands like “quiet” or “sit” and praise your dog when it obeys.
Since triggers tend to be a common cause of the uncontrolled barking, you can use intermittent exposure as a way of helping your border get used to things that trigger it.
Conclusion On Do Border Terriers Bark
Border terriers are not loud dogs and do not fall in the category of dogs that tend to be difficult to manage. Barking is often done to pass a message or communicate. Where barking becomes a behavioral issue, you can try to retrain your dog to behave better or seek advice from trained personnel.
