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Dobermans are one of the most popular breeds worldwide. They are big, beautiful, and considered royalty in the canine world. They are also considered one of the best guard dogs, but a Doberman’s protective nature sometimes gives people the wrong impression. While a Doberman will protect their owners when they perceive a threat, they are also one of the most loyal, loving, and intelligent dog breeds. Unfortunately, though, they do bark. Especially, when they are on alert.
One of the most common questions that pop up when a family is considering a Doberman as a pet is, do they bark a lot? Yes, Dobermans bark as most dogs do. Barking usually occurs when they are stressed or on alert, but with proper training, barking can be controlled. In this article, we’ll discuss the Doberman’s behavior and why barking is a normal part of owning one.
Dobermans Were Bred for Protection
It is odd to imagine that such a beautiful dog came into existence due to people not wanting to pay their taxes. In the late 19th century, Louis Dobermann was a tax collector in Germany. Luckily for Dobermann, tax collection wasn’t a full-time job. He was also a night watchman, taxidermist, and dog catcher. His knowledge of dogs led Dobermann to breed the dogs who would eventually take his name.
Dobermann wanted dogs to protect him while he collected taxes and put enough fear into people that they wouldn’t dare rob him. It isn’t exactly clear which breeds he used, but most believe they included the German Pinscher for their ambition and speed, the Rottweiler for their guarding abilities and strength, possibly the Weimaraner for their scenting abilities, and other regional working dogs. The exact combination remains uncertain. Either way, the Doberman was eventually a success and was introduced to the rest of the world.
How Much Do Dobermans Bark?
It is clear Dobermans were bred for protection, loyalty, and power. Their appearance is enough to make people step back, especially after Hollywood put the breed in movies to depict them as dangerous. Luckily, Dobermans have evolved into being beloved family pets. But don’t let that fool you. They are still powerhouses who will protect their families when needed. That is why barking is such a part of them. They are always on alert.
It is difficult to predict how much a Doberman will bark. They feel it is their job to bark when they think their owners should be alerted to something. It could be the mailman outside, a dog walking past the house, or the lack of food in their bowl. While the barking may be annoying or troublesome if you have neighbors, it is a Doberman’s way of caring for the family. Thankfully, with the dog breed’s high level of intelligence, training them to control their barking is generally easy.
The 6 Steps for Stopping a Doberman’s Barking
Dobermans are highly intelligent and love to impress their owners. This makes working with them to control their barking often simpler than with most breeds. In most cases, a Doberman can be trained at home by their owner. The key is for the owner to know how to work with large, powerful dogs. Here are a few steps you can take if you want to teach your Doberman to control their barking.
1. Recognize the Trigger
It is hard to stop a Doberman from barking if you can’t isolate the reason. As we’ve mentioned, being on guard or hungry are common reasons Dobies bark, but they aren’t the only ones. Dobermans are a working breed and can get bored easily. This can be an issue when you are away from home for long periods. Without you around, your Dobie isn’t sure what to do, and after a few hours, the boredom kicks in, and random barking occurs.
Dobermans also bark due to separation anxiety. Dobies love their families and are often called “Velcro dogs.” They want to be by your side constantly. When you have to be away and your Dobie misses you, they may start barking and add a few long, pitiful howls to the mix.
2. Reducing the Temptation to Bark
Once you’ve decided what’s causing your Doberman to bark, it is time to reduce the temptation. If they are on guard, see what is stirring them up. Installing heavier curtains or blinds on your windows may keep them from being distracted by walkers, pets, or wildlife. For Dobermans who get worked up when you’re away from home, make sure they have lots of toys, especially those that challenge their minds, like interactive games.
3. Recreating the Temptation
When the issues have been eliminated from your dog’s daily routine, it is time to toss them into the situation. For dogs that bark when you leave, go through the steps to make them think you are on your way out of the house. You can simply go back to waiting and see what your dog does. If they bark when people are outside or moving around the neighborhood, ask a friend or neighbor to help.
4. Correct Your Doberman’s Behavior
When you hear your dog barking in a situation where you want the action to stop, move into action. This must be done quickly while your dog is barking. Tell them in a firm voice, “Stop,” “Quiet,” or whatever command you want to use.
As with any training, do not yell or strike your dog. This shows a Doberman that you aren’t calm or predictable, which can increase stress and worsen barking behavior.
5. Reward Your Dog
The key is to keep your dog from barking for longer intervals. Set goals of 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and so on. When your dog successfully avoids barking during this training, offer a treat. They need to realize that the longer they avoid barking, the bigger the reward they will receive. You may be concerned that this could take ages, but Dobermans are highly intelligent and usually respond well to positive reinforcement training.
6. Repeat If Necessary
According to your Doberman, how long you have to dedicate to this training, and the triggers your dog deals with, you may need to repeat these steps a few times. Dobermans are fast learners but they usually require multiple sessions to learn to reduce barking.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a Doberman owner or plan on bringing one into your home, barking is part of life. If you feel your dog’s barking is excessive or causing issues in the neighborhood, you can work with your Dobie to remedy the issue. Before long, your Dobie will make it through the day without excessive barking, and the two of you can simply enjoy your time together.
Featured Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock
