Why Doesn't He Bark?

[Brooksuk]

Fred (now 5 months) hardly ever barks. He makes other weird noise such as a big yawn and the occasional growl when he wakes up but he very rarely barks.

The other day he barked at the postman (a complete one off). If we chase him around the garden (his favourite game) he will eventually get worked up enough to bark. He does bark at the mop, rake and broom though.

Although he does bark in the situations described above but this usually takes interaction from his mum and dad to work him up. Other threads on this site seem to indicate that other Cockers howl and bark quite a lot. Fred appears to be very quiet in comparison.

Is this normal? Have I just got a very well behaved pup?

[Tracey J]

Don't worry about it .  My Brodie isn't much of a barker at all (although he does 'talk' and howl   ).  I think it's just the luck of the draw, and you've been really lucky.  Molly on the other hand has the motto 'If I'm breathing, I'm barking'   .

[Joelf]

I shouldn't worry........Domino didn't bark properly until he was about 8-9 months.

I must admit that I have never encouraged him to bark but he will if Spike barks & when they hear someone come to the door.

I'm sure Fred will bark as he gets older!!  

[Brooksuk]

I'll try not to encourage him to bark as it appears I've been lucky (so far!!)
 

[Pammy]

Make the most of it!!! If he starts - you'll wish he hadn't

[sarah25]

Mom friends dog harvey is now 4 and has never barked

[*Jay*]

I wouldn't be complaining    Vegas wasn't a barker either until Dallas came and taught him his bad habits

[Acorah]

Acorah only barks at the hoover, and even then its very quiet

[tiggerbabe]

Beau only barks when something comes through the letterbox, or if someone knocks the door - which in my opinion is the way it should be!

Anyway, after having Sophie and her SA barking - both me, and all my neighbours are over the moon that Beau is not a barker!

[Shirley]

Do not even think about encouraging your dog to bark - I guarantee you'll regret it - I did!!!  

[waisis]

It may come with age (as did with Bailey...oh, for those quiet days again!) or like everyone says, he may be a naturally non-barky dog (if you are that lucky!).

[suki1964]

Fred (now 5 months) hardly ever barks. He makes other weird noise such as a big yawn and the occasional growl when he wakes up but he very rarely barks.

[snapback]176300[/snapback]

And you're complaining?

Make the most of it Id say. Once a cocker has found his voice they do tend to let the world know. Alfies silence was what alerted me to the fact he was poorly and after 24 hrs of near silence, the minute he gets in the vets it was bark at the big dog, bark at the fish tank, bark at the cat, bark at the nurse, bark at the door, howl inbetween the barks....... get the picture?

[Anita]

You lucky thing! Phoebe was never much of a barker and we didn't encourage her - however Libby is a barkacholic. She will bark at anything. We are trying to teach her its not acceptable but we've a long way to go.

[Penel]

As everyone else has said, don't encourage it - barking cockers are a pain in the butt - 630am this morning Tilly felt she had to tell the world that there was something at the back of the garden    

[shonajoy]

Hamish is a barker, Indie not at aall. It's the ONE thing I'd change about Ham, it does my nut in. He barks at birds, the wind, me, the kids, Indie, the reflection in the glass, his dinner, the leaves, a plant, and when he's had enough, he starts all over again.

At one point it got so bad I got him a muzzle, now I show it to him and he stops.