Are Australian Shepherds Vocal & Talkative? (Explained!)

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There’s no doubt that australian shepherds are full of personality, but does that mean they’re super talkative and vocal? While a little barking here and there is no big deal when it happens all the time it can be quite irritating.

Are Australian Shepherds Talkative:

Because of australian shepherd’s herding background they’re known for being a vocal breed. In order to do their job well they’d need to be vocal and communicate to keep their family’s livestock together and safe. With proper training they can learn to be less talkative.

In this post you’ll discover:

Why australian shepherds are so talkative & vocal and when they start barking
All the different sounds australian shepherds make and why they make them
How to fix excessive vocalization
And much, much more

Let’s jump right in.

Table of Contents

Why Australian Shepherds Are So Talkative & Vocal

Australian shepherds are considered to be one of the most vocal dog breeds.

This is largely because they were bred as working dogs.

Their barking was historically used as a way to communicate with their owners and other shepherds. They would also bark at intruders or predators, which served as a warning signal.

Australian shepherds are also very smart dogs and as a result, they often use barking as a form of communication.

They like to tell you how they’re feeling in many different situations which usually ends up in them being vocal more often than not.

Also, australian shepherds are very social dogs and they love being around people.

They often use barking as a way to get attention or to let their owners know that they want to play.

What Age Do Australian Shepherds Start Barking?

Puppies usually start barking around the age of 6-7 weeks old.

At this age, they’re starting to explore their environment and they’re also trying to figure out how to communicate with others.

Barks at this age will still sound high pitched and won’t deepen and sound more grown up until they reach 5-6 months old.

As they continue to get older, their bark will become more distinct and they’ll use it more often.

What Sounds Do Australian Shepherds Make?

Australian shepherds are known for making a number of different noises. They’ll bark, howl, whine, growl, sigh, grunt as well as groan.

All of which have different meanings.

Why Do Aussies Bark And Growl?

There are a number of reasons why your australian shepherd might be barking and growling.

It could be that they’re trying to get your attention, they’re bored, they’re feeling threatened or anxious, or they might just want to play.

They will of course also bark and growl as a sign of aggression but this is usually very different from their other barks and growls.

If their barking or growling is paired with body language like being stiff, direct eye contact, their tail is raised to body height and slowly wagging, or showing their teeth, it’s a signal of aggression.

Why Do Australian Shepherds Whine?

Australian shepherds will whine for a number of different reasons.

They might be whining because they’re cold, hungry, excited, they want to go outside or come inside, they’re feeling anxious or scared, or they might just want some attention.

They may also whine if they’re in pain.

The reasoning behind an australian shepherd’s whine is really dependent on the situation.

Why Do Australian Shepherds Howl?

Not all aussies howl, but some really enjoy letting out a nice, long howl.

They might be trying to get your attention, dealing with boredom, to make their presence known, or they might just feel like it.

Howling is also a way for dogs to communicate with each other over long distances.

It’s also totally normal to see your aussie howl if they hear high pitch sounds like sirens or music.

Why Does My Aussie Sigh?

For the most part, australian shepherds sigh to demonstrate their frustration or contentment.

Just like people!

It could be that they’re sad, they’re relieved, or they might just be trying to get your attention.

You’ll usually be able to tell why your aussie is sighing based on their body language and the situation.

Why Does My Australian Shepherd Grunt & Groan?

Much like whining, australian shepherds will grunt or groan when they’re trying to communicate something.

They might be cold, hungry, in pain, or they want your attention.

If you pay attention to the context and their body language, you’ll usually be able to figure out why they’re making these noises.

Many owners say their pup grunts or groans as they get older when they get up, lie down, or when they don’t get what they want/their way.

Why Doesn’t My Australian Shepherd Bark?

Some australian shepherds simply don’t bark very much.

It could be that they’re not motivated to bark, they’ve been trained not to bark, or they might just be a quieter pup.

Just like people, all dogs have a unique personality and if your aussie doesn’t bark they might be more reserved than other aussies.

Some australian shepherds will only bark when there’s something important or urgent going on and otherwise remain relatively quiet.

If you adopted your australian shepherd later in their life they may have been punished for being so vocal which makes them not want to bark.

How To Make An Australian Shepherd Bark

If you’re trying to get your aussie to bark more, there are a few things you can do.

You can try training them with positive reinforcement or using a dog whistle.

Find something that naturally makes them bark, say a command like “bark” or “speak” when they bark, then reward them with a treat.

Soon enough they’ll learn to bark on command.

Should I Train My Australian Shepherd To Stop Barking?

It really depends on your personal preference and lifestyle.

If your australian shepherds’ barking isn’t excessive or caused by a behavioral problem there’s no real need to train them to stop.

Some people love having a dog that doesn’t bark much while others want their pup to be more vocal.

If you live in an apartment or close proximity to your neighbors it might be worth training your aussie not to bark as much so you don’t disturb those around you.

However, if you have a large yard with plenty of space between neighbors and plenty of time to spend with your pup then training them not to bark may not be necessary.

There are pros and cons to both sides so it’s ultimately up to you whether or not you want to train your australian shepherd to stop barking.

What Is Excessive Vocalization A Sign Of?

Excessive vocalization is when your australian shepherd likes to be a little too talkative and needs some training to help them dial it back.

It could be a sign of boredom, fear, anxiety, protectiveness/being territorial, or excitement.

If you notice your australian shepherd is excessively vocalizing it’s important to take note of the context and their body language to try and figure out why they’re doing it.

For example, territorial excessive vocalization would happen when they’re around other dogs on walks or when they simply pass by your home.

Or, if they’re being overly vocal while also excessively panting, shaking, whining, pacing, drooling, or being destructive, it could be a sign of separation anxiety.

How To Stop Excessive Barking In Australian Shepherds

If you’re experiencing excessive barking from your australian shepherd and it’s causing issues in your home, there are a few things you can do to try and stop it.

The first step is identifying the root of the problem.

Is your pup barking out of boredom? Fear? Excitement? Anxiety? etc.

Once you’ve identified the root of the problem, you can start working on a solution.

If your pup is barking out of boredom, try providing them with more exercise, toys, and activities to keep them busy.

If they’re barking out of fear or anxiety, do your best to find out what’s causing them to feel this way and help them overcome it.

If they’re barking out of excitement, it’s important to start teaching them “quiet” or “stop” when they get too excited.

It will take some time and patience, but with consistency you should be able to curb excessive vocalization in your australian shepherd.

How To Stop Anxiety-Related Vocalization

If you’ve identified that your australian Shepherd’s excessive vocalization is caused by anxiety you should first take them to the vet to rule out any underlying health issues.

If they’re in the clear in terms of their health, the next step is to help them overcome their behavioral issues with life-style changes as well as training.

You’ll want to make sure they’re getting plenty of exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation.

Ensuring they get their physical and mental needs met each day can do wonders for their anxiety.

If your australian shepherds anxiety is more severe and based on being apart from you, you’ll need to train them on how to be alone.

Which can be done by helping them learn how to be alone for short periods of time and gradually increasing your time away from them.

You can also counter condition them by giving them one of the most favorite treats every day before you leave the house.

This will help them create a positive association when you leave them as opposed to a negative one.

How To Fix Territorial & Aggressive Vocalization

You can stop most territorial aggression by socializing your aussie as a young puppy.

While they’re 2-12 months old it’s important to introduce them to as many different dogs, people and places as possible.

It’s also good to reward your pup as much as possible when they come when called.

Which means when you’re in another room, call their name, and they come to you, go overboard with affection for coming when called.

This will help train them to come when called in different situations.

In general, the more obedience training you do with your australian shepherd the less territorial vocalization you should see from them.

While it trains them to listen to you when you give them commands, it also trains them to understand that you’re the leader/alpha and there’s no need for them to behave overprotective.

Why Has My Australian Shepherd Stopped Barking?

There are a few reasons why your australian shepherd may have stopped barking.

One possibility is that they’ve simply matured and no longer feel the need to bark as much.

Another reason could be that you’ve been successful in curbing their excessive vocalization with obedience training and life-style changes.

It’s also possible that they strained their vocal cords, aren’t feeling well, are grieving, or recovering from an injury.

The Bottom Line

Australian shepherds can be vocal & talkative, and it’s often due to anxiety, fear or excitement.

There are a few things you can do to try and stop it such as providing them with more exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization.

As long as you train your aussie well their talkative behavior shouldn’t get too excessive.

Other posts you might find interesting:

8 Best Dog Beds for Australian Shepherds | Beds That Last

Are Australian Shepherds High Maintenance? (Explained!)

15 Weird Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Lick So Much

16 Things To Know About Australian Shepherds & Cuddling

Sources:

Australian Shepherd

Separation Anxiety