My 6 month lab does not bark!

Discussion in 'Labrador Behavior' started by JennyIndia, Jan 31, 2018.

  1. JennyIndia

    JennyIndia Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2017
    Messages:
    31
    Hello everyone
    It is always nice to be here and learn more about lab's.... I always get quick and reliable responses from thelabradorforum.... Thank you all
    Today also I have come to know more... My 6month lab (going to be 7month!) has not barked... Well I can count and tell just three times since I bought him home (I bought him home when he was 6weeks old... )...those barks were also like small 2 3 woofs!
    Should I be concerned or he will start with time.
    One more thing when he is with my brother's pup, a 4.5month old German shepherd, as he is vocal, my Bruno also barks but still not much..
    So please guide me is it OK, that he does not bark at all at home, not even when he sees a stranger or a cat or anything....
     
  2. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2012
    Messages:
    9,936
    Please don't worry about it ! My late boy Sam rarely barked , in fact I don't think he barked at all until he was about two years old . Thereafter, it was such a rare occurrence that it would startle us and make him jump , that this noise had come out of his body ! He didn't bark when anyone came to the door , at other dogs , just nothing !
     
    Teller's mom and JennyIndia like this.
  3. edzbird

    edzbird Registered Users

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2015
    Messages:
    5,279
    Location:
    Isle of Man
    You're so lucky! My boy Coco is a terrible barker. He really only barks in the house, rarely when we're out walking. Occasionally he barks when he's playing with another dog - he plays rough games of chase. Must be the German Shepherd in him that's the barky bit :rolleyes:.
     
    Teller's mom and JennyIndia like this.
  4. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

    Joined:
    May 24, 2012
    Messages:
    11,185
    I shouldn't worry at all! Some labs bark a lot, others don't!
     
    JennyIndia likes this.
  5. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2014
    Messages:
    15,785
    Location:
    Andorra and Spain
    Barking often (not always, but often) indicates anxiety, fear, frustration or another negative emotion. So having a dog that doesn't bark may mean that yours is more confident. Enjoy the peace.
     
  6. Joy

    Joy Registered Users

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2014
    Messages:
    4,259
    Be grateful! Molly is a barker - she thinks we own the three houses on either side - and it’s been quite hard work getting her to be quieter!
     
    kateincornwall likes this.
  7. JennyIndia

    JennyIndia Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2017
    Messages:
    31
    Haha... That was a good one and thank you so much... It is a relief for me
     
    kateincornwall likes this.
  8. JennyIndia

    JennyIndia Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2017
    Messages:
    31
    thank you for the reply
     
  9. JennyIndia

    JennyIndia Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2017
    Messages:
    31
     
  10. JennyIndia

    JennyIndia Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2017
    Messages:
    31
    Thank you
     
  11. JennyIndia

    JennyIndia Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2017
    Messages:
    31
    Thank you all for your inputs. I got worried as everyone started asking me... "why does Bruno not bark!!! I hope everything is fine with him!!! "...when people talked like this it got me worried. But you all made me feel relaxed... Love the funny inputs given by you all, bought a smile on my face, reading your messages
    Thank you
     
    edzbird, Karen and selina27 like this.
  12. Ski-Patroller

    Ski-Patroller Cooper, Terminally Cute

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2016
    Messages:
    1,726
    Location:
    Portland, Oregon & Mt Hood Oregon
    We have had 3 labs, and all had different Barking behaviors. Ginger did not bark much, but if someone came to the door she sounded like we had GSD or Rottweiler Guard Dog (until the door was opened). She would almost never bark to go out or be let in. She would also Howl if we Howled. (Started when our son got a harmonica, but we could get her to do it almost any time by just starting to howl. I wish Till or Coop would do it.)

    Tilly has a very insistent bark when she wants something. Woof, Woof, Woof, etc until you open the door and let her out or in, or what every she wants. She will also sometimes do it when she thinks we should give her our plates or a treat.

    Cooper has a high "inside" bark when she is playing with Tilly, and an "Outside" big dog bark which sometimes includes a blood curdling Bay (think Baskerville Hall) when she sees something outside. She has more different sounds than any other dog I have owned.

    Fortunately, none of our dogs bark much. and none of them normally bark at other dogs when they are out in our yard. We have two friends with Sammies, who can't leave their dogs outside, because they continually bark at other dogs through their fences.

    FWIW, I used to have a Malamute. He never barked, but he did Howl.
     
  13. Teller's mom

    Teller's mom Registered Users

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2016
    Messages:
    170
    I wouldn't worry about his not barking, from what I've observed labs aren't generally very noisy. Of course there are some exceptions (my neighbor's dogs come to mind) but for the most part they aren't as vocal as other breeds, especially herding dogs and hounds. Teller rarely barks, he's done so maybe 2-3 times a year in the 2 years I've had him. He doesn't bark at people, other dogs, is silent when other dogs are barking their heads off at him; he will bark if I'm home alone and a package is delivered but only once and just a light 'woof'. I personally love having a quiet dog.

    I think it is definitely the shepherd! Every one I've seen loooooves to be heard. :p
     
    JennyIndia and edzbird like this.
  14. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2013
    Messages:
    9,628
    Location:
    Bristol, UK
    I would be thankful that he doesn't bark often. My girl barks whenever anyone comes to the food or she sees car lights from someone turning in our road. She rarely ever barks when we are out.
     
    JennyIndia likes this.
  15. JennyIndia

    JennyIndia Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2017
    Messages:
    31
    Wow that is quite interesting...
    Thank you for sharing, mine just growls
    only when I play Tug of war, or makes a sound ( by opening his mouth as if he is yawning!!!) to get my attention, else never barks...
     
  16. JennyIndia

    JennyIndia Registered Users

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2017
    Messages:
    31
    I think reading everyone's experience, mine is also a silent one who just like to communicate with gestures. My Bruno too even if dogs outside are barking just gives them a look and that's it.
     
  17. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2017
    Messages:
    1,903
    My 13 month old puppy didn’t bark until she was about 9/10 months. She alert barks now - noises outside/unexpected noises from inside. It’s not a big deal but we do find it strange as our 11 year old Lab doesn’t bark at all. She can as when we have been camping she has done the odd territorial bark. I would hate a dog that barked a lot. When I am out walking my dogs, I hear lots of dogs barking in their houses. Enjoy your quiet dog - he may yet start to bark ;).
     
    selina27 likes this.

Share This Page