Playful Barking vs. Herding/Warning Barking

[Joy Messner]

Okay - so some questions about our new addition to our family: 9-year old Henry whom we just adopted as a rescue (his former owners were older and moving into a reitrement home).

We absolutely love our Beardie - he is a joy to the family. But, I am not too sure how playful he is or if his former owners ever did try to initiate play. When I try to initiate play by running or throwing a ball/toy - Henry just stands there and barks, tailwagging, but also makes "throaty" noises (not a growl). It's hard to determine if this is just how he expresses himself in a "joyful" way - or if he's just getting into his "herding" mentality and wants the action to stop. Once he starts his very rhythmic (on the beat) barking, it's hard to get him to stop. He also does not like it if a friend is over and I initiate play with the other dog.

Perhaps we can teach this old dog some new tricks and new acceptable ways to allow him to connect with his inner joy :-)

What is "norm" for this breed?
Again, - your thoughts and insights are helpful to us as we transition.
Thanks!!!
Joy (and Henry, the Beardie)

[Rachel Funez]

Joy,
I have a rescue Beardie too, and he is my first Beardie. He is also more likely to stand and bark (i.e., at other dogs who are playing together) rather than join in the action. In fact, he did not really start to play with me until about two years after I got him. (Granted I have no idea what his background is. He may have been in a puppy mill and may have just never learned how to play.)

I think the barking thing is part of his herding instinct, but he doesn't seem to me to "want the action to stop." He seems to be having fun when he's barking. In fact, even now that he does play he will often stop playing just to bark from time to time. I think for a Beardie barking to herd and barking to express themselves in a joyful way are one and the same. They love herding... it's what they were made for. I think that IS an acceptable way for a Beardie to express his inner joy. :-)

But I do think you can teach your Beardie to play, because I did. What worked for me was to read Cooper's moods. At first I would watch for when he was excited or happy (like when I first came home). I would use that energy to be playful with him. It started out as very interactive playing between him and me. He was not interested in toys at all. But eventually I was able to incorporate toys into our play from time to time and I would praise him and express my happiness when he would play. He grew more playful over time.

Also, don't expect your Beardie to play the way you think he should. Figure out how he likes to play, and go with that. For example, Cooper was not interested in fetching, but he loved playing chase with me. (He was the chaser. I think this is ok as long as you are still the alpha and the game stops when you say it's over. You don't want your Beardie to think he's the boss of you ;-) But eventually Cooper has opened up to more and more types of play. I've had him since summer of 2005, and just within this last year he has started playing fetch and tug-a-war with me. We now play for a few minutes every morning when we get back from our walk and he loves it.

I think the most important thing with Beardies is to use positive reinforcement. They are somewhat sensitive souls in my experience, and they respond best when they know you are happy and proud of them.

[Neva Stuck]

I have to agree. the barking thisg seems to be a oyfull thing for us as well.. we just rescued a 4 year old beardie.(Julio) he has the best time "singing" he does the barking then he ooooo's and omomomom(kind of a oh mmmm oh mmmm groany thing) then he will wrestle a little with us a tiny bit of tug as long as you don't really tug. he will chase something at this point but not bring it back he takes it to the couch or other spot.. he prefers to have the toy in front of him with him laying down and you pretend to take it.. you giving it a tiny wiggle back and forth to each side. the playing lasts only about 5-10 minutes but the singing alone can be 10-20 minutes..he will roll and rub on whatever is handy during this time as well. just being happy to live!!! Beardies are very sesnitive souls and gentle leadership is important.

[Christine Stafford]

Hello, Beardies get 10/10 for barking, will bark for the pure pleasure it brings them, mine also howl, anytime, anyplace, anywhere, they are very vocal dogs, my girl can has a grunt and a groan for every occasion, almost talks, but the boy is quieter, well, except for howling he just joins in , and does enjoy a good bark, especially on the way home from a walk, we call it his happy bark, he says'woo-woo' all the way home, but compared to her, not a chance.He likes to play fetch with sticks, but doesnt give them back, and she likes you to hold a stick for her and walk her around with her holding it!! He likes to run after things, and shes more of a sniffer.

[Joy Messner]

Another week has gone by - and our 9 year-old beardie is settling into his new home. He is a gentle soul and loves to be with us. We cannot go for a walk around our park or lake without at least 3-4 people stopping to meet him. He is getting a new knickname of "Hollywood Henry."

However, one still cannot distinguish the intent of his barking. Most often he barks if there is a bit of rough-housing or playful running in the house or yard. However, sometimes it is hard to determine if his barking is playful or threatening. And once he starts, he does not take a command by voice to stop (even when we lower our voice and sound stern). The only way I can get him to stop is to put my hand on his upper neck and force his head down to the ground and tell him, "no."

I had a beagle for 15 years, and a viszla growing up. And, they all had distinguished barks - one for play, one to tell me they were hungry or wanted to go "out," and one when they were warning me of a cat or another dog walking by outside. Our beardie, Henry, has one type of bark.

It sounds funny - but is there a way to show your dog how to have "different" type of barks - my guy doesn't make all the other noises you describe of your beardie.

Advice or Insight?
Joy

[Neva Stuck]

i am unaware of a way to "distinguish" the barks... Julio just barks the one he does when someone is outside ( stranger) is very different from his other barks... the rest seem to be more of the herding barking and happy barks... it is just a part of the breed it think...

i belong to www.beardedcollies.org.uk it is a european group but very active and informative.. the boards here just don't seem to have much activitiy and they chat and message everyday.. u may want to look at it.. they may have more insite.

[Rachel Funez]

Cooper does the same thing. He will bark when others are playing (like when we're at my parents' house and they throw a squeaky toy for their dog). His playful and herding bark are pretty much the same, although the playful one is sometimes more high pitched. He also has a "hoo woo" singy/whiny kind of sound that he uses when he's really excited about something that is about to happen... like going for a walk. Cooper sometimes sounds aggressive/scary when he barks, even though he is harmless. I think this is because Beardies have to sound intimidating to boss the sheep around. He also does the thing you described where once he gets started barking he does not stop to a verbal command. I have found that physical contact often works. It helps break their focus on the thing they are barking at. Sometimes I have to turn Cooper away from the thing he is barking at. When he isn't looking he can usually resist the temptation to bark. Other times we have to take a little walk elsewhere to calm down. I'm sure you will figure out what works with Henry. Good luck! And enjoy. (He's very smashing in his picture by the way.)

[jessshakespeare]

My Beardie is currently barking non-stop at her beardie friend, who is sitting ignoring her. I think she's just trying to persuade her to play / join in. She also does it when I'm eating I assume to persuade me to feed her some of it! Cheeky mutt. The other one usually does it when she's excited about a walk and is trying to hurry us up. She also stands and watches playing and barks, as though she wants to join in. When she's playing she also makes a 'harrra, harra' noise in between barks, with a growl. I think if they're standing barking at something going on it's because they want to join in but maybe aren't sure of the rules. The older one will also give one bark to be let into or out of a room, and then follow it up if no-one listens the first time! I suppose it's just a question of getting to know the individual dog.

[Priscilla Potter]

Most beardies bark which is definitely part of the herding instinct. He is responding to your attempts to play so I would just keep it up. I have two beardies, one is 8 almost 9 and the other will be 2 in July. The 8-year old is quite arthritic but still in her head, she thinks she can play ball so I do a very light playtime with her. The 2-year old on the other hand lives to play ball. And good for you for taking on a rescue beardie!! They are a very special breed.

[Joy Messner]

Thanks all for sharing your beardie experiences with me!

My guy, Henry, does enjoy the sound of his voice. He even loves to do a bit of a mild hop when he barks. Our attempt in helping him learn "play" is coming along - he still will not chase balls, but does love it when we put a bit of peanutbutter in his rolled-up rawhide and throw it around a bit - he's even learning to make that sound, "harrarar, harrarar" that a lot of you speak about. He is most vocal when he is trying to "hurry" us along when we are getting our shoes and coat on for a walk. I must admit, to anyone else, it might sound intimidating and, if we have company and they become anxious with his barks, I give him the classic Dog Whisperer "finger bite" to the back of his neck (and say, "no" or "stop") and he quiets right down (with an almost shocked look to his face). He is a gentle soul - just doesn't realize how intimidating he can sound.

Just this week I signed him up to particapate in Leashes of Love - a group of folks with their dogs who visit nursing homes, children with disabilities, prisons, and schools. He loves the attention and is a well behaved boy who loves getting petted and rubbed.

So, all in all - he's settling in nicely. And, I am so thankful for all of your helpful comments and stories of your lovable beardies!

Joy :-)

[Neva Stuck]

i am so glad... we just adopted another beardie for a companion to Julio. his name is Rosco and he is a delight... i am so glad that you baby is doing well and u are sharing him with others... we are planning on doing something similar..best of luck!