A Cockapoo is a mixed breed dog crossed between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. They are known as a great family pet due to their affectionate nature and their low-shedding coat.
Do Cockapoos Bark A Lot?
Generally speaking, Cockapoos do bark a lot in comparison with other breeds. But it’s important to point out here that every dog is different. So, just because one Cockapoo barks all day long, doesn’t mean they all will. Also, neither of the parent breeds are particularly well known for being big barkers, so this stands you in good stead if you’re thinking about getting a Cockapoo but you’re worried about how much they might bark.
There are few things that can make it more likely that your Cockapoo will become a barker as they grow older. And, as they are such an intelligent breed, it is possible to use various training techniques to nip excessive barking in the bud early on.
Cockapoos are generally smaller dogs, and small dogs do have a bit of a reputation for being yappy dogs. But, Cockapoos generally bark for a reason rather than just barking at thin air as some small breeds have a tendency to do. This means that we can work hard to minimise what causes the dog to bark and hopefully have a quieter, more settled Cockapoo as a result.
Why Do Cockapoos Bark?
Cockapoos usually bark for a reason, they don’t usually just bark for the sake of it. There are a variety of reasons why you might experience persistent barking. If you can identify the barking triggers for your Cockapoo, then you have a far better chance of resolving any problematic barking.
Separation Anxiety
Most dogs get attached to their owners and can struggle to cope when they’re left alone, but Cockapoos in particular really struggle when they’re left at home alone.
Separation anxiety is one of the most common reasons for a Cockapoo to bark and it can be highly disruptive for your neighbours.
If you know that your Cockapoo suffers with separation anxiety, then you need to start gradually getting them used to being left alone from an early age. Start with leaving the room for just a few minutes before returning to them, and gradually build this up. Don’t make a fuss when you leave them or when you return, you want them to recognise that being left alone is just a normal part of the day for them.
If you’re thinking of getting a Cockapoo and you know that they will be left alone for large chunks of the day, then this may not be the best breed for you. They really do like to have company.
Territorial Issues
Cockapoos can be territorial and their instinct is to want to protect their home and their family. You may notice that they bark when they see somebody pass the window. If this is the case, then make sure you keep any blinds or curtains closed when you’re not home to minimise the risk of them barking for territorial reasons.
Health Reasons
Your Cockapoo may bark in order to show that they are in pain or discomfort. If barking is unusual for them, then take the time to check them over. Do they seem sensitive in any area? Do they cry out when you pick them up?
Cockapoos can be prone to a condition called Luxating Patella and Hip Dysplasia, so pay particular attention to their hip and knee joints.
Excitement
Puppies in particular are likely to bark a lot when they get excited. Barking in excitement is a dog’s way of communicating. Excitable barking is particularly common in puppies and young Cockapoos, but even the oldies can get carried away sometimes.
Some basic training can really help here. When your dog is getting too excited, get them to sit and stay until they calm down.
There can be all kinds of reasons why excitement might kick in, particularly with a puppy. I have a friend who owns a Cockapoo and also has a hammock in her garden. For some reason, whenever she tries to sit in the hammock, the Cockapoo gets over-excited and barks at her. She’s working on the issue so she can start to enjoy relaxing in the garden again.
Seeking Attention
Cockapoos can be attention seekers, and barking at you could be their way of trying to engage you in play. One way to try to prevent this is by making sure you give your Cockapoo plenty of attention throughout the day. Try engaging them in play regularly so that they don’t feel the need to bark in order to get your attention.
Boredom
As humans, when we get bored we can easily find something to do. When a dog gets bored, it’s not that easy for them. When a Cockapoo gets bored, it will look for something to do, but if there isn’t anything there for them, they can become destructive, damage furniture, chew wires, or just bark incessantly.
When we took our doodle puppy to puppy training, one of the things our trainer told us to do was to give the dog a job to do so that they don’t get bored. This doesn’t mean send them out on a paper round. But, instead, give them something safe to chew that will keep them occupied for a while, play fetch with them, or even give them a dog puzzle to try to solve. Snuffle mats are ideal for keeping a dog occupied.
Remember that Cockapoos are an intelligent breed and they need mental stimulation just as much as physical exercise.
Being Taken By Surprise
If you’ve ever been taken by surprise or jumped out on, then you know how that can send a jolt of fear or panic through you before you realise you are actually safe. This instinctive reaction to jump or shout out is the same in dogs as it is in humans. If a Cockapoo is surprised, its natural reaction is to bark, and this can then easily lead to incessant barking until they calm down.
Make sure that everyone who comes into contact with your dog understands how important it is not to startle them.
Dementia
Just like humans, dogs can, sadly, suffer from dementia, particularly as they reach old age.
If you have an older Cockapoo and notice that it starts barking at randomly and seemingly barking for no reason, then it’s time for a vet check.
Nightmares
Our little companions can suffer from nightmares just like us. If your dog starts barking whilst asleep, then you need to wake it gently and carefully to avoid startling it too much.
The Doorbell
Barking at the doorbell is extremely common and often the barking stops pretty quickly so it may not be an issue for you. But if your Cockapoo does bark excessively when they hear the doorbell, then it’s important to work on that. Otherwise, your neighbours may not thank you if the doorbell goes whilst you’re out and they’re left listening to your dog’s constant barking.
Start to train your Cockapoo that barking at the doorbell isn’t acceptable behaviour. You can use treats to do this as positive reinforcement always gives the best result. When the doorbell goes, let your dog bark and ignore them until they’ve calmed down. Once they’ve been quiet for a few seconds, reward them with a treat. You can practice this with somebody else by asking them to ring the doorbell whilst you stay with your dog.
Visitors
Barking and jumping up at visitors is very common, particularly with young Cockapoos.
Ask visitors to ignore your dog and not give them any eye contact until they are calm and have stopped barking and jumping up. Again, this will reinforce positive behaviour. Cockapoos are highly intelligent and will quickly understand what’s acceptable.
Reacting to other dogs
Having a dog that barks at other dogs can be incredibly stressful, particularly if you take them to places where there are lots of other dogs.
It’s important to socialise Cockapoos from an early age so that they learn that other dogs aren’t a threat.
One of the best ways to deal with a reactive dog is to redirect them. So, if your Cockapoo barks when they see another dog, turn them in another direction and reward them.
What To Do If Your Cockapoo Barks Too Much
First of all, it’s important to point out that it’s absolutely normal for a dog to bark from time to time, but if you’re experiencing excessive barking from your Cockapoo, then it’s time to take steps to deal with the unwanted barking.
Identify The Cause Of Barking
The first thing you need to do is figure out what’s causing your dog to bark so much. It’s likely to be one of the common reasons listed above.
Once you know the cause, you can start to take steps to resolve the issues.
Remove What Triggers The Barking
If possible, remove the thing that causes the problematic barking.
For example, if your Cockapoo is barking when they see somebody walk past, close your blinds.
You won’t need to remove the trigger forever, but it will help whilst you work on keeping your dog calm.
Train your Cockapoo to practice calmness
One of the worst things you can do if you’re dealing with a dog with bad barking habits is to go down the route of negative reinforcement. Don’t be tempted to shout at your dog when they bark, or to smack them on the nose which unbelievably is the way that dogs used to be trained. You will only make your dog scared of you and this will damage the relationship you have with them.
Instead, use positive reinforcement to promote calmness in your dog. If your Cockapoo is barking, ignore them and wait for them to stop. Once they’ve stopped barking for around four seconds, give them some attention. If they start barking again as soon as you interact, then ignore them again. Repeat the cycle and gradually lengthen the time from four seconds upwards.
Reinforcing that being calm and quiet gets a positive reaction from you will help them to understand that constant barking doesn’t get them what they want.
Final Tips for Annoying Barking Habits
There are a wide range of reasons why your Cockapoo may bark. If you can identify the reason then you are halfway there to being able to resolve it.
Positive reinforcement is always the best way to get your Cockapoo to understand that barking isn’t the behaviour you want. Ignore your Cockapoo’s barking when you can and reinforce when they are calm and quiet. Don’t be tempted to raise your voice as this can only agitate your dog further.
As with any dog training, consistency is key.
All dogs bark. But when it becomes persistent, then you need to do something about it.
If you’re considering getting a Cockapoo to join your family and you’re wondering “do Cockapoos bark?” then the answer is that yes, they do, but it’s not always a problem. As a mixed breed with intelligent parents, Cockapoos are fairly easy to train too, so if you do have a barking problem, then you can quickly train your dog to quieten down.
