Should I be concerned or grateful? - Page 1

Dang, I wasn't going to ask anymore questions, but wouldn't mind a few opinions. Most here complain about their dogs barking TOO much. Bella has only barked 4 times since I got her, which averages out to be once a month. She barked when she first met the big dogs, she barked when she caught her first mouse, she barked when she noticed one day that the neighbor had leaned a lawnchair against my fence and she barked a few days ago when she noticed her reflection in the glass fireplace doors. That's it in 3 months.

I know she's young and right now I'm grateful for the peace and quiet. But next Spring I plan to take her to the local club for an evaluation and wonder if I need to get her to be a bit more vocal. She's always in the thick of things when the males are barking, but not a peep out of her. Like I said, right now I'm grateful, but wonder if at some point I should work on getting her more fired up? She already has a pretty deep, growly bark (at least for her age) just don't hear it too often. Maybe it's a good thing. Definitely got my attention the few times I've heard her make noise versus the males that bark everytime they hear a leaf rustle in the wind.

Grateful!

Having got a dog that "talks and talks and talks" she barks at everything, she yodells for her dinner and more besides.

I'll do a swap for a quiet one anyday!

Be grateful.  Two of my girls bark, one whines.  Abe only barks when there's something worth barking at.  It soundls like maybe your girl is the same, if it's real then bark.

Just leave her be. When the time comes, a good helper at a SchH club will know how to stimulate her to bark and bark appropriately. It can be a HUGE problem for you if she were just barking all the time. Be glad her nature is quiet. You will appreciate it when you hear all the stories I hear from all the people wanting to dump their GSD into my rescue program because they have citations from law enforcement agencies because their dog barks all the time. Dogs should be taught to bark only when there is a good reason. Some dogs are naturally more vocal than others, but in the case of those who are more vocal, I work hard to teach them they are not allowed to just bark for no good reason.

Or, consider this:  I have a male that barked his way through all but one trial.  From the time we set foot on the trial field, except for when  he actually had the dumbbell in his mouth, during the long-down and during the send-out, he was barking non-stop.  During only one trial was he quiet.  And then, the quiet was so eeri to me tht it completely discombobulated me and it disturbed some spectators, too.    Everyone was thinking that something had to be wrong, because Xhango was quiet!    I used to say that I liked vocal dogs, but Xhango has taught me that there can be too much of a good thing.   

So, be grateful.   A helper will get out the barks that need to be there for training and trials.   Sounds like she already tends to bark when she thinks something is "suspicious." 

You could borrow one of our barkers for the day and never again would you worry.

Tell the judge your helper is a mime..

Don't worry about it a good helper will be able to train the bark.

jeff

Thanks to all for the help. Watchiing the "Dante gets his BH" video this week really inspired me to see if I can title Bella. I think she may have some potential and didn't want to mess things up before I started. As for the gracious offers to trade Bella for a barker, think I'll pass :)  I'll pray to the Schutzhund gods I find a good helper to work with.

Hodie,

     Thank you for that response. I swear I just asked myself that question today. Since I've been at the training, and I see how the dogs "are supposed to act",toward the helper, and how my boy Duke does act,,I was wondering if he will pick that up. He is NOT a Vocal Dog.

     We have started on tracking, and we did a little work on the blinds so far. He is doing real good .

     I want to get on here and shout out how good my dog is doing, but in light of my stalker,,,,,I'm abit scared to even put myself out there...no,,the crap hasn't stopped...

    And it is a real shame,i really would like to share my progress with Duke. I've been here with him,,,before I ever ,even got him.

Yes, you should be very worried, in fact her lack of barking is definitely proof positive she is no good whatsoever.  Don't waste anymore of your time on her, just send her to me.