Why do small dogs bark?

Why do small dogs bark? They are small but loud. That is a common opinion. But is that really true or is it a prejudice of people who simply don't like small dogs? Of course, it is not that simple and a blanket judgment about the small four-legged friends cannot be made. But let's take a closer look at the topic.

Content: Why do small dogs bark

• What is barking anyway?
• The anatomy of small dogs
• The causes of barking
• Training the dog to stop barking
• Conclusion

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What is barking anyway?

The word yapping refers to small dogs that bark in an unpleasantly loud and shrill manner. If there is even a word for small, barking dogs, there must be some truth to the widespread opinion. But there are many factors that contribute to dogs barking. Size alone only plays a small part.

The fact is that some dog breeds bark more often than others. This is especially true of dog breeds with strong territorial behavior, i.e. guard dogs, but also some hunting dogs. These include, for example, terrier breeds, dachshunds or herding and driving dogs such as the well-known German shepherd.

In addition to the breed, the dog's upbringing and individual character also play an important role. Often, barking too often is an indication of trauma from the past or when the four-legged friend was a puppy, and is therefore often just an expression of fear that the dog feels. By barking, the dog can warn its owner of danger and thus protect itself.

It is therefore very important to socialize young dogs early on. This way they learn that other dogs or strangers do not pose a danger to them. They learn to interact with their environment in a more relaxed manner and lose their fear.

The anatomy of small dogs

Small dogs have a significant "disadvantage" when it comes to barking compared to larger dogs, because their small bodies mean that their barking is much higher pitched. It is therefore no wonder that we find it more annoying, because we humans find high tones unpleasant. This is even due to evolution. High tones trigger a kind of alert state in us humans.

In addition, small dogs are probably better able to perceive high-pitched sounds and thus recognize impending danger earlier and more often – and therefore bark more often.

The causes of barking

It is certainly true that small dogs are more likely to be perceived as barkers than large dogs due to their anatomy. But there are often other reasons for this.

Many dog ​​owners actually encourage barking behavior by being too protective of their own furry friend. They are basically the helicopter parents among dog owners. But small dogs in particular must learn how to interact with other dogs and people. Barking is a normal way for dogs to behave, even if they don't use it that often with each other.

If the dog is always put in the handbag when it meets other larger dogs, it cannot learn to communicate with them - and it is well known that dogs and humans are afraid of the unknown. The result is a frightened dog that does not know how to help itself other than to bark and thus call for help.

Training the dog to stop barking

To ensure that your little four-legged friend is not dismissed as a barker, you should train him out of this unwanted behavior. Not only will you benefit from this, but your neighbors too.

It is actually quite easy and yet difficult to stop barking. It may require a little patience.

Whenever the dog barks and gets your attention, he feels validated and will bark whenever he wants your attention again. To turn the game around, you have to "simply" ignore him. This can be exhausting, but it is the best way to show him that barking is not getting him anywhere.

In case he has to stay home alone, you can also keep the little rascal busy with intelligence toys for dogs and distract him from the supposed dangers.

If you have visitors and you don't want him to bark at them, you have to be consistent and separate him from the visitors. He should only be allowed back in once he has calmed down.

Conclusion

Small dogs that bark are usually a sign of incorrect or inconsistent training and cannot be linked to the breed of dog as such. However, due to their small bodies, the barking of small dog breeds such as terriers or dachshunds is certainly a little more unpleasant for us humans. A German shepherd that barks incessantly is not really a pleasant neighbor either. So, above all, we are left with the realization that things are not always as they first seem.

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