No barking?

[jluponeage]

So I’ve had my rescue ACD for about 5 weeks now. He’s a total sweetie and it’s hard to see why anyone would return him. He was returned by 3 different people before I adopted him which was heartbreaking. So well behaved, doesn’t wreck anything, massive snuggler (he’s a 45 pound lap dog), and came crate trained and housebroken. He’s content to snooze all day as long as he gets a walk.

One thing is puzzling though, he hasn’t made a sound though aside from growling at small dogs when we pass them (he thinks they’re prey), or when he’s dreaming.

I know he can bark, I heard him bark at the shelter. From my understanding, ACD is generally a very bark-y breed.

Perhaps he isn’t quite settled in yet? He behaves like he’s been here for years when he hasn’t. I’ve owned sassy dachshunds and a shelter mutt prior to this so I’m used to a lot of barking from my dogs . Half the time I don’t realize my guy is right by me because he’s so quiet. Hopefully he’ll bark soon?

 

[mooky0909]

@jluponeage I’d research the 3-3-3 rule for rescues. Every dog is different, but typically it takes 3 days for them to figure out you won’t hurt them, 3 wks to accept you aren’t kicking them out, & 3 mo to start to truly call you home. Rescues come from trauma & the true personality of the dog you adopted won’t show up for a few months

 

[zatchey]

@mooky0909 I have a rescue and never heard that rule! That truly breaks my heart. Thank you for sharing.

 

[brodieman]

@mooky0909 Agreed. We have one we adopted in May and she's just now starting to show us her real personality. The shelter we adopted from said the same thing. And our other rescue dog were similar.

 

[l_d_allan]

@jluponeage My ACD doesn’t bark unless he is chasing off coyotes. He will do an alarm bark in certain situations when someone makes a knocking sound, etc, but it’s just a few seconds. I do think sometimes it takes a while to settle into the idea that they are really home and that they need to defend the territory.

 

[jluponeage]

@l_d_allan Half the time I forget I’ve only had him 5 weeks ngl. He is doing very well so far for being very soon out of the shelter environment. He’ll settle in more for sure I think!

 

[effrem]

@l_d_allan If I say Moof! To my youngest ACD, she will bark in reply. I guess I taught her to speak. But she is a very barky dog.

 

[redeemedofthelord]

@jluponeage I thought my girl was literally a mute for the first like three months, she doesn’t even whimper when she’s hurt really. She found her voice a bit more but I think it’s because they need your attention and that’s what it’s made for.

My girl is not a deep bark though, it’s super high pitched and deafening haha also the loud pitched whining is not much better. Still love her though

 

[mcv222]

@redeemedofthelord I think that's a heeler thing. All my heelers and my Mom's heelers have had a piercing bark

 

[mss91z28]

@jluponeage We rescued an ACD/Husky mix from the shelter 9 months ago. She tried to occasionally demand bark for attention a few months into owning her but that got her nowhere so she gave up. Only heard her alert bark three times since owning her. Once because a friend put on animal horns and it freaked her out, twice because pickers were rummaging in our trash. Otherwise she is silent. Delivery drivers can knock on the door, I can open it, and she'll just stand there, gently wagging.

Whodve thought with a breed mix like that? Goes to show dogs are individuals with the own little personalities.

 

[moflamingo]

@jluponeage I got my ACD mix (not quite sure what he is) because they listed him as a non-barker and my landlords (upstairs neighbours) said we can’t have a barky loud dog. He truly doesn’t bark unless he hears someone coming in the house when we are alone at home or when he is reacting to other dogs while on a walk (lunges and barks but he’s friendly). He is also super chill and not crazy high energy (he can be if I ask him to be but he is not demanding). He did howl and bark when left alone at first but we have worked through that as well.

I previously owned a sheltie which was a dog who would bark at his own shadow and the wind. I am very grateful for the peace and quiet with this dog. Be careful what you wish for!

 

[mapleleafsnjesus]

@jluponeage Give it time. He will start to get more comfortable and think of your house as home. If he doesn't start barking when excited or alerted (doorbell ring, etc.) once he learns what those things mean, he may indeed have forgotten to read the user manual. If you really want him to bark, maybe you can read him the book yourself?

Don't think of it as a bad thing if he doesn't start barking at the slightest disruption to calm. I have 4 of the little devils and they all bark/howl if any one of them alerts to something. It's exhausting.

 

[john1427]

@jluponeage Sharky is pure heeler and was rescued at 9 months and has been living with me in a variety of settings for 10 years. On a ranch, he would bark only when coyotes were about or hostile dogs on the other side of the fence. In the city, he rarely barks except when startled asleep and someone is opening the door. Rarely he will engage another dog who is being hostile to me (very rarely, usually dog park interactions, which is why we don't go). They are a silent heeler breed and will nip first. Not to be alarmed. They are all unique but I suspect some bloodlines or breeders are selecting for different traits.

Because they learn so quickly, I also suspect people are encouraging talky heelers.

 

[allbutnone]

@jluponeage Mine barked less after we moved and he was stressed about the new home. It may come out in yours eventually too!

IMO, barking is the biggest challenge of my dog.

 

[smitty7000]

@jluponeage My dog doesn’t alert bark ever. He will bark and grunt occasionally when playing or when he is frustrated durring training. That’s it

 

[kv78b]

@jluponeage His previous owners might have had a home that was much more busy or close to other people. Thus making him more on edge.