Do Labradoodles Bark A Lot? [Triggers & Training Guide]

Labradoodles are a joy to have in many family homes. There is a preconception that these animals will have the perfect traits and temperament because they are designer dogs created for the family home. However, all dogs need training to become the best possible family pets, including training for barking tendencies. So, do Labradoodles bark a lot? Or, are they one of the quieter breeds?

Do Labradoodles bark a lot? For the most part, Labradoodles don’t bark that much, and any barking that does occur is easy to control. You might find that some dogs develop issues with barking out of frustration or boredom. However, there will also be plenty of dogs that are good as gold. It all comes down to breeding.

Contents show

Moderate Barkers

Poodles and Labradors are moderate barkers.

It is essential to look at any dog’s linage when it comes to their potential behavioral traits. The mix of a Labrador and a Standard Poodle allows for two parents that are both moderate barkers. This means that you should have an animal that will bark at triggers and in many understandable situations but won’t bark for no good reason.

Because both parents share similar barking traits, you can expect the Labradoodle to have a similar inclination. These dogs will bark at times when they feel it is essential to vocalize their concerns or excitement. But, they are unlikely to bark without due cause. For example, other dogs will do so for no other reason than to get attention.

That isn’t the case here.

Barking Triggers

Typically, a Labradoodle will bark when there is a particular trigger to contend with.

Labradoodles may bark at people that they meet while they are on walks. They may see nothing wrong with this as they are merely greeting someone they know or warning a stranger. They may exhibit similar reactions when it comes to people entering the home.

Strangers could be viewed as a threat to the family they are so loyal towards.

Triggers that alarm or excite Labradoodles may also lead to a desire to bark. This could be the unexpected presence of another animal, a sound that alarms them, or something like a storm or a fireworks display.

In these cases, it shouldn’t be too hard for owners to find a way to control the trigger or the anxiety response. Treating the anxiety and soothing animals in a storm, perhaps with compression vests or other training exercises, can help.

Aggressive Barking

This is not the same as aggressive barking.

A big concern for any new dog owner is that their animal will turn out to be aggressive barkers. This means barking at other people or animals in a manner that showcases distrust and a willingness to defend their family. Some dogs that bark aggressively can cause significant distress when not under control, and there is the risk of violence and snapping or biting with some breeds.

This isn’t the case at all with these Labradoodles.

While you will find that some animals are more vocal when they greet other people, there is rarely any aggressive intention behind that vocalization.

For example, a new Labradoodle puppy may decide to bark at someone that enters their home as a way of saying hello or showing excitement. They may want to play.

However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some Labradoodles out there that won’t act aggressively in extreme situations. If a dog truly feels as though they or their family is under threat, they could begin to bark and act more aggressively as a defense mechanism.

This is rare.

The situation triggering this fear response should either be a one-off where the reaction is justified or one where you can quickly reassure the animal before they feel the need to become aggressive.

Barking Due To Boredom

A big issue to be aware of here is barking due to boredom.

Labradors can have big problems with separation anxiety and a desire to be with their family at all times. In turn, Labradoodles may end up with similar traits where they hate to be at home alone for long. This is a problem for anyone that has a Labradoodle yet works away from home for long hours at a time.

These animals can become bored quite quickly if they don’t have adequate mental and physical stimulation. While some will exhibit this frustration via destructive behavior or chewing, others will moan and bark.

This is partly a way to express themselves and somewhat a way to call their owners back.

There are a couple of problems here. The first is that you have a dog in distress that needs some support to reduce its boredom and desire to bark.

The other is that your neighbors probably aren’t going to be too happy with you if they continuously hear your dog barking. So, you need to find a way to minimize barking if you need to leave your Labradoodle at home.

Fortunately, there aren’t too many other concerns when it comes to Labradoodles barking.

What About Night Barking?

Night barking is a trait that is a big problem with a lot of puppies and certain breeds that need to bark to get their way.

Thankfully, that isn’t the case when it comes to Labradoodles. These dogs should stay pretty quiet at night. If they aren’t asleep, they seem to respect the fact that the rest of the family are and that they need to keep the peace.

This is less likely with dogs that are yet to overcome any separation anxiety issues. But, most content and calm Labradoodles shouldn’t bark at night.

However, there will be times when Labradoodles do bark during the night. It is important to note these occasions and check on your dog, especially when their barking is otherwise under control. Some Labradoodles may bark because they have seen something alarming, and they want to warn you.

Others may do so to get your attention because they are in some pain. Even you can’t see any immediate cause for alarm, keep an ear out for similar behavior. Repeated night barking out of the blue could mean that they have an illness and require a vet visit.

Labradoodles Aren’t Too Difficult to Train

One of the reasons that Labradoodles are such popular pets is that they desire to please their owners and be the perfect addition to any family. This makes them pretty easy to train because they have that desire to understand commands and earn their owners’ praise. Therefore, any Labradoodle puppy that doesn’t have their barking under control to begin with should soon realize what is required of them.

The intelligence of their Poodle parent will help too. Poodles are brilliant dogs that can pick up on required behavior traits very quickly. When you combine this with that eagerness of the Labrador, you should find that your puppy is easy to train.

How to Train Your Labradoodle Not to Bark Too Much

As with any behavioral trait, you need to start their training at a young age. The sooner your Labradoodle understands what is required of them, the easier it is to stop them from picking up bad habits. When it comes to barking, this also means correcting dogs when they bark at other people too much.

Correct them with a firm tone when they bark at visitors and reward them with praise when they stop. If they aren’t inclined to stop barking, you can take them into another room so that they don’t get to interact with the new “friend” that walked in. When they stop, bring them out and play with them for staying quiet. It shouldn’t take long for them to associate the positive behavior with.

Train them to deal with separation anxiety, and the rest should follow.

Barking through boredom or rare instances of night barking are often related to separation anxiety. So, the sooner you can deal with this issue, the sooner you should be able to control Labradoodle barking. One of the best options is to make time in your day to come and see your dog and play with them.

Or ask for help from a pet-sitter or relative. If this isn’t possible, make sure that there are plenty of ways for your pet to stay entertained at home. The same is true at night. A Labradoodle with their favorite toys and blanket by their bed should be more content.

Final Thoughts

In short, Labradoodles don’t bark that much at all. The sooner you provide obedience training and address separation anxiety with these animals, the easier it is to control unwanted barking tendencies. Some will bark when they meet new people, out of fear or out of boredom. But, these issues are easy to maintain with the right training and attitude.