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Do Samoyeds bark a lot?

Do Samoyeds bark a lot?

Barking, howling and other vocalization habits vary between dog breeds and individual dogs. Our article tells you more about Samoyed barking tendencies, what they typically mean, and how they might be influenced by training. Keep reading if you’re trying to understand your own Samoyed’s barking, considering whether a Samoyed is a right dog for you, or just to learn more about the characteristics of this ancient Siberian breed.

Do Samoyeds bark a lot? Yes, Samoyeds are very talkative and social dogs who are naturally attached to their human families and highly conscious of their own home territory. While rarely aggressive, Samoyeds are good watchdogs and will never remain quiet when someone approaches or enters their home. They will instead bark loudly to alert others in the household to the newcomer’s presence.

Samoyed barking can be a natural, normal means of self-expression. They have a distinctive voice and plenty of energy which may well go into barking if they have no other outlet. This high energy, sociability, and barking tendency make it important to train Samoyeds, give them attention, and exercise them often. Carrying on reading to learn about Samoyed’s natural barking habits and how to avoid problems developing.

Do Samoyeds Bark A Lot?

It is normal for a Samoyed to bark loudly and persistently when a stranger approaches or enters their home. While Samoyeds are not aggressively territorial dogs, they are certainly conscious of the extent of their territory as well as being very intelligent and attached to their human ‘pack’. The purpose of their barking is to alert their family to a potential intruder. Samoyeds will not normally attack humans.

Excessive and/or problem barking might develop if a Samoyed is not properly trained and socialized, or if they are neglected. An untrained Samoyed might find it hard to know that they should stop barking at the signal of their owner. An unsocialized Samoyed might be fearful of other humans or other dogs and bark excessively because they’re frightened.

Samoyeds who are left alone for long periods, especially if tied or restrained, will probably bark excessively out of loneliness and frustration, both physical and mental. Their unhappiness may also prompt them to dig and chew, causing damage to home and garden. Samoyeds should not be left alone for significant periods of time.

Taking a look at the origin and background of Samoyeds can help to better understand this breed’s temperament.

The Samoyed is an ancient breed of working dog, named for the ancient Samoyede people they lived among in northwestern Siberia. Bred to haul sleds, protect and herd reindeer, and aid humans in hunting animals, Samoyeds were expected to bark loudly to counter threats or raise the alarm when a reindeer or human was in need of help.

The lives of Samoyeds and their owners were closely intertwined, with the dogs living and working constantly alongside their human families, and even sleeping alongside them in their tents at night to keep warm in a harsh, frozen environment. This shared lifestyle led to a strong interdependent relationship between Samoyeds and humans as well as an amiable, sociable and independent temperament in the dogs.

Despite their tendency to bark, the Samoyed was not bred as an attack or fighting dog.  Their protective nature and non-aggression make them highly suitable pets for families with small children or other vulnerable members.

Do Samoyeds bark or howl?

Samoyeds both bark and howl under different circumstances or with different prompts.

Normal barking is usually simply a warning to their human family of an intruder or other danger. Excessive barking is a sign that something is wrong, either in terms of poor training, lack of socialization, or distress due to neglect.

Howling has a completely different cause. The Samoyed is a spitz breed, a group of dog breeds who are more closely related to wolves than many other breeds. Howling is a tendency they share with their wolf cousins and many people compare the Samoyed’s high pitched and musical howling to singing or yodeling.

Samoyeds seem to enjoy howling as a form of conversation and interaction with their humans and other dogs. You can sometimes prompt Samoyeds to howl by playing music or by howling yourself so that they can “sing-along” and harmonize.

Can you train a Samoyed not to bark?

Normal barking is part of the Samoyed temperament and should be something you know to expect before you adopt a Samoyed. If you require a very quiet dog, then a Samoyed is simply not for you and you should choose a less vocal breed. You can, however, train your Samoyed not to bark excessively or inappropriately.

Basic training

During their early training and socialization, make sure that your Samoyed learns to respond to a command for quiet or to stop barking. If your Samoyed learns this while they’re young, it could save both of you a great deal of stress later on.

Positive reinforcement

Give your Samoyed treats as a reward for non-barking behavior. For example, if they bark to come in at the door, only give them the treat once the barking stops. Ignore their barking where possible but then give them lots of affection when they’re not barking.

Exercise

Samoyeds are high-energy dogs and if they don’t get enough exercise, their excess energy could fuel excess barking. Vigorous walking, jogging, agility classes or racing round with other dogs at a dog park could all help your Samoyed let off steam without barking. Regular exercise is a necessity with this breed, not an option.

Mental stimulation

Samoyeds are also very intelligent dogs according to a classification system from canine psychology expert Professor Stanley Coren. This means that they need mental stimulation and interaction with their ‘pack’ or they will become bored and frustrated which could lead to excessive barking. Ensure you have a good supply of fun toys for your dog and make time to play with them.

Company

Samoyeds were bred as companion dogs and do not cope well away from humans. Lonely Samoyeds with separation anxiety can bark for hours, as well as chewing and digging. They are not dogs who can be left home alone while you go to work all day.

If you can’t be with your Samoyed for a long period, you should look at options for doggy day-care or arrange for them to spend time with trusted family or friends while you’re at work.

Are Samoyeds good for beginners?

Samoyed experts often recommend more experienced owners for Samoyeds. While they’re friendly and affectionate dogs, Samoyeds do require plenty of care and attention from their owners, along with lots of exercises and mental stimulation. Adopting a Samoyed shouldn’t be taken lightly.

If you’re a beginner with the Samoyed breed, it’s worth spending some time learning about their temperament and needs before you adopt your dog. Perhaps get to know some Samoyed owners or rescue organizations in your area so that you can observe and practice exercising and grooming with experts before taking full responsibility yourself.

When you adopt a young dog, they may require full training and socialization to ensure that they recognize and respond to key commands, including the signal to cease barking. Samoyeds are both sensitive and independently minded which means that training needs to start early and should be positive, consistent, and reward-based.

At the same time, your Samoyed will need to learn that you are the leader of their pack and should be obeyed, and should also learn to socialize with a wide variety of other humans and dogs in different situations and environments. Proper socialization is key to preventing dogs from becoming fearful of unfamiliar humans and other animals. Any dog that is scared has the potential to lash out.  

All these training requirements might prove too big a challenge for someone who has never owned any dog, Samoyed, or another breed. Beginner or not, if you’re not confident about training and socializing your Samoyed, professional training classes are an option.

A final word… 

If you’re looking for a very quiet, non-barking, low-interaction dog then a Samoyed is not going to be the ideal pet for your household. A certain amount of barking is part of the sociable, talkative, interactive Samoyed package.

If a Samoyed is properly trained and given sufficient care, attention, and exercise, their barking is likely to be a normal feature of their breed and personality rather than indicative of a problem. Remember also that every dog also has its own individual personality and some Samoyeds will be louder and more talkative than others.

If you’re concerned about excessive barking, consult a professional dog behavior expert, trainer or vet for advice.