Do Border Collies Bark a Lot: 10 Reasons They Bark & Controls
Do border collies bark a lot, why do they bark, and how do you control or prevent unnecessary barking?
These questions will be covered in this post, so keep reading if any of the questions interest you.
I will try to keep this post as simple as possible…
Do Border Collies Bark a Lot
Yes, Border collies are notorious for barking at other dogs or humans they perceive to be a threat due to fear, anxiety, and poor socialization which can all contribute to excessive barking in border collies.
Despite the fact that most dog owners consider their pets to be silent companions, some breeds, such as border collies, bark more than others.
Even though border collies are known to bark a lot they can still be trained to be calm around other dogs or when they get excited.
Early and proper socialization is one of the most common ways to help train a border collie not to bark unnecessarily.
Why do border collies bark so much?
The following are some of the most prevalent reasons border collies bark to communicate:
1. Lack of mental stimulation activities
Lack of mental stimulation activities is the major cause of excessive barking in border collies, this is because border collies are high-energy dogs.
Border collies require lots of mental stimulation activities and physical activities to burn down their excessive energy.
When border collies are left with too much energy they become frustrated and agitated which can lead to unnecessary behaviors such as barking and biting.
Here are some common ways to help tire out your border collie.
If you are a lazy type that can’t keep up with lots of activities to keep a dog fit then stay away from border collies.
2. Breed characteristics
Border collies were once selectively bred to be herding dogs, which means they bark more than other dogs raised specifically to be human companions.
Border collies manage the animals they are herding through barking and sustained eye contact during herding sessions.
These breeds have been bred to become pet dogs throughout time, but their barking tendencies have been minimized, even if they still bark.
Border collies’ barking as herding dogs is therefore in their nature, even if it may be suppressed.
Your border collie may be constantly barking at humans, cats, other dogs, or pets as a result of inadequate or bad socialization.
Border collie owners sometimes complain about their dogs’ excessive barking and whining, so you should start socializing their puppy right away.
You must train your border collie not to perceive other dogs or pets in his or her territory as a threat if you wish to limit the quantity of barking.
To avoid your border collie barking excessively as a result of inadequate socialization, teach this from the time your border collie is a puppy.
4. Overly excited
This is a low pitch bark of excitement that is seen among border collies of every age.
Border collies bark ceaselessly when they hear their family members coming home. This indicates that they are happy to see you again.
You’ll hear his or her excited bark as a kind of anticipation for the activity when getting ready or leaving for an exercise.
Border collies are known for barking a low pitch to show their joy while pursuing a toy or ball.
For example, a border collie might bark and rush over the fence to see if the other dogs would like to play with him.
Barking is one of the best ways to engage with border collies.
Border collies express their delight by barking at whatever makes them joyful.
5. Unwanted strangers or animals present
You might assume your border collie barks excessively if you live in a crowded city or neighborhood.
Border collies are not the best guard dogs, but they are without a doubt among the best watchdogs and herding dogs.
If you don’t properly teach and socialize your border collie, you’ll hear these barks on a regular basis!
An unsocialized border collie would continue to bark at the mailman when he came. Until you hand them over to the postman, for example.
Border collies will constantly inform their owners about strangers, even if they do not attack. Outsiders will be heard if they are close by.
6. Out of frustration or depression
Various elements contribute to a border collie’s high degree of aggression and loud barking when he is unsatisfied.
Paying less attention than normal, neglecting the dog, disrupting the dog’s food routines, and so on can all cause unnecessary barking.
Border collies that are frustrated are more inclined to do unexpected things, so try to keep yours happy at all times.
To deal with an unhappy border collie, you must first identify the source of the problem and address it as quickly as possible.
When the border collie demands your attention, don’t ignore it. Check to see if your border collie is in any trouble.
7. Out of pain or illness
Not only do border collies bark due to pains or certain illnesses they also get aggressive.
Constant discomfort and disease might drive your border collie to bark excessively; however, you can avoid this by arranging frequent medical checks.
If your border collie starts barking excessively, look for signs of pain or disease right once.
If a border collie is in pain or wounded, he will bark excessively to relieve himself, so keep an eye on him.
8. Seeking attention
When a dog, particularly a border collie, wants to be noticed or demands attention from its owner, it may bark or scream until he or she receives it.
They were designed to be herding dogs who spend the majority of their time with their owner’s herding sheep.
As a result, they are completely reliant on their owners for everything, including affection, food, water, and medical attention.
Border collies should not begin barking excessively when they have a regular routine to follow.
9. Anxiety
Border collies suffer from anxiety when they are away from their owners for an extended length of time.
Border collies develop separation anxiety as soon as their owners leave.
Border collies are prone to separation anxiety, which is unknown why some dogs have it and others don’t.
This is one of the most common problems that dog owners have, and it’s generally the result of a lack of basic training.
Separation anxiety, on the other hand, encourages border collies to be aggressive and bark excessively.
10. Abuse or neglect by their owners
Border collies that have been adopted are especially vulnerable to neglect or cruelty.
Before coming to the shelter, most border collies were likely abused or neglected by their owners.
Border collies see a variety of things as maltreatment, and their ability to hunt and flee from it provides them a sense of freedom.
The majority of border collies detest being kept in a shelter, which may have long-term consequences.
Neglect or abuse Border collies are noted for their aggressiveness and loud barking.
Using an electronic collar on your border collie, hitting your border collie, and starving your border collie all result in negative experiences.
How to train a border collie not to bark
Here are some typical methods for training or controlling a border collie to stop excessive barking:
1. Provide regular mental stimulation
Border collies are herding dogs with lots of energy that can become a big problem for lazy owners.
If you are lazy please stay away from a border collie, they are not dogs for lazy people, they require you to burn down their excessive energy.
One of the most common ways to stop or prevent excessive barking in border collies is to provide lots of mental stimulation activities.
A tired border collie is a well-behaved one. Teaching them tricks, getting puzzles, and playing hide and seek are some common ways to stimulate a border collie mentally.
2. Provide daily exercise
Border collies are a working breed of dogs that are high-energy dogs and require lots of exercises to keep them busy and fit.
To stop or control excessive barking which can be due to frustration and packed up energy you need to provide lots of daily exercises.
This could be walking with them 3 times per day, playing fetch games with them, or having them jump obstacles, running up and down the staircase.
Just find something that will help burn down their excessive energy, because a tired border collie is a calm border collie.
However, make sure you do not overwork them in the name of giving them exercise to avoid muscle soreness.
3. Restructure your border collie mindset
The mentality or mindset of your border collie matters a lot when it comes to stopping them from unnecessary barking.
Without proper socialization and training your border collie sees himself as a boss and can always engage in barking as a way of protecting you.
You need to restructure this mindset so that your border collie looks up to you for guidance and begins to trust that you are in control of the circumstances.
Set rules, limitations, and boundaries as a way of restructuring your border collie mindset.
4. Desensitize your border collie
Things that irritate your border collie or cause him to bark excessively, and should be removed or exposed to him at all times.
Contact the mailman and introduce him to your border collie if your border collie becomes anxious when he sees the mailman, for example.
Therefore, your border collie will understand that the mailman is not a threat and will coexist with him.
Apply the same procedure to anything else that can cause your border collie to bark excessively. Don’t allow things to get out of hand before making corrections.
5. Ignore attention-seeking barking
Screaming or shouting at your border collie all the time to stop barking sends the wrong message, and your border collie will keep barking.
Tranquility, love, compassion, and trust are the pillars of border collie training. This is something that you and your border collie should always remember.
When your border collie barks excessively, keep your calm and he or she will stop.
It’s never a good idea to yell at your border collie when he barks excessively for attention; instead, try not to pay attention when he barks excessively for attention.
Make barking a bad habit for your border collie so that he will only bark when absolutely essential, not when it isn’t.
6. Don’t punish for barking
If you yell at a barking border collie, the dog will believe you’re amusing him. Never use your own chastisement to correct a bark.
While urging your border collie to come to a halt, speak calmly but firmly and at a steady volume. Teach your dog what the term “silent” means.
Border collies are bright dogs, yet sometimes struggle to grasp the command “shut up.”
Instead, teach them the command “quiet” and congratulate them for being silent after hearing it.
The most essential benefit of early border collie socialization is that it instills in your border collie a sense of calm, confidence, and affection.
When you have a well-socialized border collie, you get a dog who is comfortable among other dogs and welcoming to strangers.
Remember excessive barking is just one of the most common border collie behavior issues.
The most common strategies for socializing your border collie are as follows:
- As much as possible, take your border collie to meet other dog owners.
- Attend dog shows with your border collie.
- Take your border collie to a dog park.
- Inviting your neighbors with other pets is a terrific idea.
- Bring your border collie to the camping with you.
- Attend puppy courses with your border collie.
- With a border collie by your side, you can watch your favorite TV shows.
- Play him border collie movies on tape.
8. Create a stop word or a command word
Obedience training sessions are very important when trying to stop a border collie from barking.
During your training sessions teach your border collie a strong stop word that will help him snap out of circumstances fast when you use such a word.
Examples of such words include:
- Leave it
- Stop
- Auchi
- No
- Go
- Down
You can think of words that will help you control your border collie, the most important thing is that you make your border collie understand such words.
I hope your question Do Border Collies Bark a Lot was answered!
