If you’ve ever held a newborn pup, a fresh furry soul, you’ve probably heard them whine and squeak to get their mother’s attention or to let you know they need some help. This is a completely normal part of development, but it may make you wonder – when do puppies start barking?
How old will your pup be when they start to bark? What can you do to prepare for this turn? What if they bark too much?
Ever brought home a tiny furball that won’t stop yapping? You’re not alone! As the proud owner of three dogs (all adopted at different ages) I’ve witnessed the full spectrum of canine vocals. The question “do puppies bark more than older dogs?” comes up all the time at our local dog park and today I’m gonna break it down for you with some facts that might surprise you.
The Quick Answer
Yes, puppies typically bark more frequently than older dogs, but it’s not as simple as that. While younger dogs are generally more vocal during their exploratory phase, barking patterns depend on multiple factors including breed, training, and individual personality.
Why Puppies Seem to Bark Non-Stop
Puppies are like toddlers discovering their voices – they’re testing boundaries and learning how to communicate Here’s why your little one might be a barking machine
- Exploration and excitement: Everything is new! That leaf? Bark! That shadow? Bark! Your shoelace? BARK!
- Limited communication skills: They haven’t developed other subtle ways to communicate yet
- Testing their vocal abilities: Just like babies experiment with sounds, puppies explore their barking range
- Attention-seeking behavior: They quickly learn that barking gets your attention (even negative attention)
- Lack of impulse control: Young puppies haven’t developed the self-control older dogs have
As Smart Dog University points out, “Puppies don’t usually grow out of anything except their collars. They more often grow into adults with the same bad habits that started in puppyhood.”
How Barking Changes As Dogs Age
Your puppy’s barking will naturally evolve as they mature, but contrary to popular belief, dogs don’t automatically “grow out” of excessive barking without proper training. Here’s what changes you might notice:
Frequency of Barking
One of the most noticeable trends is that mature dogs typically bark less frequently than puppies. As they age, dogs become more selective about what’s worth barking at. My oldest dog rarely barks unless someone is at the door, while my youngest still announces every squirrel sighting with enthusiasm.
Reasons for Barking
Puppies bark for many reasons – excitement, fear, boredom, or just because they can! Older dogs tend to bark more purposefully:
| Age Group | Common Barking Reasons |
|---|---|
| Puppies | Excitement, exploration, testing, attention-seeking, fear |
| Adult Dogs | Alert barking, communication needs, response to stimuli |
| Senior Dogs | Pain, discomfort, cognitive changes, established habits |
Sound and Volume Changes
According to NotABully.org, “A puppy’s bark will change as they get older, but unless you have a large breed dog, it might not get deeper.” Most puppies start with high-pitched yelps around 6 weeks old, and their barks develop as they mature:
- 5-6 months old: This is when many puppies enter adolescence and their barks begin changing
- 6-14 months: Deeper barks often emerge during this period, especially in larger breeds
- Adult (1+ years): Fully developed barking patterns are established
As veterinary experts explain, “Younger dogs may have a louder, more high-pitched bark, while older dogs may have a softer, deeper bark.” This change happens naturally as their vocal cords strengthen with age.
Do Big Dogs and Small Dogs Bark Differently?
Size definitely matters when it comes to barking! According to research, larger dogs have longer vocal tracts that produce deeper sounds. My neighbor’s Chihuahua has a high-pitched yap even as an adult, while my Lab mix developed a booming bark by his first birthday.
Physical differences affect barking:
- Larger breeds = deeper barks (especially when alert)
- Smaller breeds = higher-pitched barks (even as adults)
- Vocal tract length determines pitch range
The Role of Breed in Barking Behavior
Some breeds are naturally more talkative than others, regardless of age:
- Natural barkers: Beagles, Huskies, Great Pyrenees, many herding breeds
- Quieter breeds: Basenjis, Greyhounds, Shiba Inus
- Alert barkers: German Shepherds, Rottweilers
I had a Beagle mix who barked constantly as a puppy AND as an adult. Meanwhile, my friend’s Greyhound has barely made a sound in 8 years!
The Truth About “Growing Out Of It”
One of the biggest myths about puppy barking is that they’ll naturally outgrow it. According to dog training experts at Smart Dog University, this simply isn’t true: “Puppies don’t usually grow out of anything except their collars.”
Without proper training, barking habits established in puppyhood typically continue into adulthood – sometimes getting worse! As Smart Dog University explains, “Barking usually only gets worse as your pup grows into adulthood” because the behavior gets reinforced.
How to Address Excessive Barking at Any Age
If your puppy is a barking machine, don’t wait for them to “grow out of it.” Here’s what works:
For Puppies:
- Identify the cause: Is it boredom? Attention-seeking? Fear?
- Consistent training: Teach “quiet” commands early
- Positive reinforcement: Reward quiet behavior
- Proper exercise: Tired puppies bark less!
- Socialization: Expose them to different environments safely
For Adult Dogs:
- Break established patterns: Interrupt the barking cycle
- Environmental management: Remove triggers when possible
- Teach alternative behaviors: Give them something else to do
- Consider professional help: Some barking issues require expert training
When to Be Concerned About Barking Changes
While it’s normal for your dog’s bark to change as they age, some changes warrant attention:
- Sudden hoarseness: Could indicate vocal strain from excessive barking
- Weaker bark in senior dogs: Might signal reduced strength or health issues
- Excessive barking with age: Could be linked to cognitive decline or anxiety
- Bark accompanied by coughing: Potential respiratory issue requiring vet care
My Personal Experience with Puppy vs. Adult Barking
When we got Milo as a 3-month-old puppy, his high-pitched barks drove us crazy – especially at 5am! Our older dog, Bella, would occasionally join in but generally saved her barking for important alerts.
After consistent training, Milo’s barking decreased significantly by his first birthday. His voice deepened around 7 months (he’s a medium-sized mix), and he became more selective about what deserved his vocal attention.
The biggest lesson we learned? Don’t ignore excessive barking in puppies hoping they’ll “grow out of it.” The habits they form early often persist into adulthood.
Factors That Influence Barking at Any Age
Whether your dog is 3 months or 13 years old, these factors affect barking behavior:
- Training consistency: Clear communication about barking expectations
- Environment: Urban dogs often bark more due to increased stimuli
- Exercise levels: Under-exercised dogs bark more out of frustration
- Health issues: Pain or discomfort can increase barking
- Cognitive function: Senior dogs may bark more due to confusion
The Bottom Line
While puppies do typically bark more frequently than older dogs due to their excitement and lack of impulse control, dogs don’t automatically “grow out of” excessive barking without proper training. Their bark will naturally change in tone and purpose as they mature, but problematic barking habits established in puppyhood often continue into adulthood.
Remember what Smart Dog University tells us: “Anything your pup learns when he’s young will likely stick with him into adulthood. And remember, it’s easier to teach good habits than it is to break old, annoying ones!”
So next time someone tells you “Don’t worry, they’ll grow out of it” when your puppy won’t stop barking, you’ll know better! With consistent training and proper management, you can help your vocal puppy develop into a well-mannered adult who knows when it’s appropriate to speak up.
Have you noticed changes in your dog’s barking as they’ve aged? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your experiences!
About the Author: Jamie has been training dogs for over 10 years and currently shares her home with three rescue dogs of various ages. She believes in positive reinforcement training and helping pet parents understand normal canine development.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
Dogs are pack animals. This means that they need to bark to communicate with other dogs – passing on warnings about danger, alerting each other to food, or staying in contact while on the move.
Dogs bark at other animals as a warning or as a means of communicating. For example, your dog may bark at a stranger by the door to warn them not to enter and to let you know a strange person has shown up in your territory.
Puppies will learn this barking behavior as they begin to grow and as they learn to integrate and socialize with their ‘pack.’
Why Do Puppies Begin Barking?
Theres no real clear answer why some dogs may begin barking and others don’t. Some of it may be determined by breed, with some breeds naturally appearing more vocal.[1] Many of the most vocal breeds appear to be companion dogs, hunting dogs, and sled dogs – indicating that human interaction may have something to do with it.
According to Veterinarian Dr. Teresa Manucy, DVM, there can be many reasons why your puppy feels the need to bark. Some common ones are-
- They’re Startled – Puppies may let out a bark if they suddenly get a fright.
- In Defense – They are warning that they may attack something they perceive as a threat.
- Territorialism – They are guarding something or someone and want to warn against intruders.
- Frustration/boredom – Puppies may bark when they can’t get something they want or when what they want isn’t coming fast enough. For example, they want to chase the bird outside, but the screen door is in the way.
- Socializing – Dogs may bark to greet you, guests, other dogs, or other animals.
- Excitement – Like a human yelling ‘Yippee!’ or screaming, a dog may bark when excited about something.
- Emotional distress – Barking dogs may feel anxious about being left alone, or they may feel isolated and are barking to find someone.
- To express their needs – A puppy may bark at you to let you know if it needs something. This can be a physical need, such as food, or an emotional need, such as wanting you to play or give them attention.
WHY do some DOGS tend TO BARK more than OTHERS?
FAQ
Do puppies bark a lot?
It’s not uncommon for some puppies to not bark at all; unless they learn to do so from another dog. In fact, many owners can go months without hearing their pups bark. As a real-life example, my dog Claude rarely barks. I can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve heard him bark since we got him as an 8 week old puppy.
Why might a puppy bark less as they grow up?
If you have a puppy who used to bark a lot and it’s died down, they may simply be learning to bark less or mellowing out as they grow up. And, unless a physical or medical issue prevents the dog from barking, there is typically no cause for concern. It can just be normal for some dogs to never bark.
When do most puppies start barking?
By eight weeks, most puppies have learned to bark and will do so during play sessions with their littermates. If your puppy doesn’t bark, don’t worry. Some may start a bit later—and some will never bark.
Do aging dogs bark a lot?
Senile barking is something very common. As a matter of fact, just like clockwork, elderly canines seem to bark on schedule. Sometimes aging dogs know exactly what they are doing but there are other times when they seem like they are completely unaware that they are barking for hours on end.
What if my puppy doesn’t bark by eight weeks?
If your puppy doesn’t bark by eight weeks, don’t worry. Some puppies may start barking a bit later, and some will never bark. It’s normal if your puppy grows up and never starts barking. By eight weeks, most puppies have learned to bark and will do so during play sessions with their littermates.
Why does my puppy bark a lot?
There are also other factors that come into play like the dog’s personality and temperament. Both can play a big role in whether a puppy is silent or barks. Despite this, most puppies will eventually learn to bark, be it from another dog, or through discovering it themselves.
At what age do puppies bark the most?
It will be a quiet, sweet sound at first and then develop into a full-blown bark by the time the dog is around 3 months old.Jun 4, 2025
Do puppies grow out of barking?
Which type of dog barks the most?
What is the 3 bark rule?
The 3 Bark Rule is a positive reinforcement dog training method that allows a dog to bark a few times to alert its owner to something, then prompts them to stop and be quiet. After the permitted barks, the owner says “quiet,” and when the dog stops, they are rewarded with praise or treats. This teaches the dog that its communication is acknowledged but doesn’t need to continue indefinitely, encouraging calm behavior after the alert.