Great Danes are gentle and loving dogs that are known for their intelligence and mild temperaments. But there’s one thing you should be prepared for – these dogs love to communicate with their owners.
This breed is renowned for its giant size and distinguishing features such as furrowed brows and a long drooping tail. But ask any Dane owner and they’re likely to say,” They are all that and more, but man does they like to bark – a lot.
But this barking isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be helpful in many situations. For example, Great Dane puppies will bark when they’re afraid or when they need to communicate with their owners.
Great Danes are Very Vocal
Danes are one of the most vocal of all dog breeds, and that barking tendency doesn’t stop at the house door! In fact, Danes bark quite a bit – everywhere. The average Great Dane barks up to 80 times per day.
Great Danes are more likely to produce their booming bark at the presence of any perceived threat, whether it’s someone knocking at the door or a squirrel scurrying outside the window.
While most Great Danes are not nuisance barkers, if they are allowed to develop barking as a habit, they will have what is probably the most powerful, deep, and far-carrying bark of any dog.
As a Dane owner, it’s important to be prepared for all those barks. One great way to do that is to invest in a barking deterrent such as a citronella collar or shock collar. If that’s not enough, be sure to train your Dane early and consistently.
Danes’ Bark
Danes are one of the few dog breeds that can bark in different tones and volumes. The barking sound is actually the release of air from their lungs, and it can be heard up to two kilometers away!
Great Danes bark for many reasons – such as communicating with other dogs, humans, or animals. If you’re looking for a breed that will keep you safe and alert in your neighborhood, a Great Dane is definitely the perfect choice!
Barking is a sign of intelligence
Barking is one of the many dog behaviors that can be seen as a sign of intelligence. Danes are known for their incredibly high IQs and barking is one way they show it off. Barking can also be an indicator of excitement and alertness.
Causes of excessive barking
There are a few reasons a dog might bark excessively, most of which are related to anxiety or boredom. If your dog is barking for no reason at all, it may be worth consulting with a professional as the problem may persist even after treatment.
If you’re able to identify the root cause of the excessive barking, you can do things such as training them through positive reinforcement (rewarding good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior) and calming techniques (such as playing music or using aromatherapy).
Training Solutions for Excessive Barking
While barking is an important way for Danes to communicate with their owners, excessive barking can be a nuisance and a safety hazard. Fortunately, there are many training solutions that can help you solve the issue.
One of the most common methods is verbal commands. You can train your dog to stop barking by using these commands throughout the day. You can also use clicker training – a repetitive training method that uses a clicker to signal the dog when it should stop barking.
If barking persists even after using these methods, it may be time for your dog to see a professional trainer. The trainer will help you solve the barking issue permanently and may recommend other training methods.
Solutions for training your dog to stop barking excessively
Here are four solutions that will help:
- Start training your dog from an early age – this way, the process becomes easier and less frustrating later.
- Use rewards and punishments together – by doing so, you will be able to train them effectively while also motivating them physically and mentally.
- Be patient – consistency is key in training dogs; if something isn’t done properly from the beginning, chances are it won’t work at all once training mode kicks in!
The following are the best ways to prevent excessive barking:
- Don’t leave your dog alone for long periods of time
- Don’t hug or feed your dog when she is barking for attention or out of anxiety
- Try to draw his attention with a clap or whistle.
- Don’t shout at your dog to stop barking because it doesn’t help. Yelling at your dog to be quiet will not make them stop barking, so keep your training sessions upbeat and consistent so that you don’t confuse your dog.
- Say “Quiet” in a calm, firm voice when your dog is barking, and then praise them and give them a treat until they stop barking, even if it’s just to take a breath. Just be careful to never reward them while they are barking.
Debarking – An Extreme Option
Debarking is an extreme option that is only performed on dogs that have severe uncontrollable cases of barking. Often called devocalization or bark softening, this is a surgical procedure that removes some of a dog’s vocal folds. The result is a softer bark.
If you’re considering debarking your dog, it’s important to discuss the procedure with a vet first to make sure it is the right decision for your dog. There are potential risks associated with debarking, so it’s best to be well-informed before making a decision!
Reasons to Debark Your Dog
Why you might want to debark your dog may be for several reasons. Several owners use it as a last resort when all other approaches have failed, while others think it is an effective way of training.
It’s crucial to know that this therapy must be performed by a specialist and that it should only be done if necessary. Make sure you take all of the required precautions if you decide to go ahead with debarking – your dog’s health counts on it!
The benefits of this procedure include improved behavior and reduced problems with barking.
Potential Risks and Side Effects during the Procedure
There are a few potential risks associated with devocalization surgery. It is important to discuss these with your vet in advance, as any risks may need to be evaluated and managed accordingly.
Danes bark frequently and this procedure may be the only way to stop it. However, it is not guaranteed success, so consult a vet if there are doubts about the operation’s efficacy or potential problems or side effects afterward.
Teach Your Great Dane the “Quiet” Command
Before the last resort like surgery, take the time to teach your giant friend, the “quiet” command. This is a method that can be very helpful when you are working with a problem barker. It is a pointed way to tell your dog you wish she would cool it with the barking.
In order to teach this command, your dog must first know the “Speak” command. Once she knows that, you can teach her the “Quiet” command in the following way:
- Tell your dog to “Speak,” and reward her for doing it.
- Next tell your Dane, “Quiet,” and place a treat in front of her nose immediately.
- Gradually work up to giving the command without giving her the treat right away.
Over time, she’ll learn that “Quiet” is the opposite of “Speak” and you can use the command to simply tell her to stop barking.
Conclusion
Danes are known for their loud bark, but this doesn’t mean they’re always friendly. In fact, they can be quite territorial, especially with their owners
A Great Dane is an amazing dog, and barking is just a natural part of their behavior. While some people may find the noise annoying, most dogs actually enjoy making barking sounds. In fact, when they’re happy and excited, great Danes often bark quite loudly!
Barking has many purposes: it can indicate your dog’s presence or alert you to something nearby; it can be used as a form of communication; and sometimes (especially when playing), it serves as entertainment for both you and your dog.
As long as your Dane isn’t barreling down the street at top speed with his mouth open, he should be fine!
