Do Cavachons Bark a Lot? [Triggers and Training Guide]

The Cavachon is a modern breed that many people are interested in adding to their families. However, many are concerned about whether this dog is going to be too loud for their lifestyle. Many small breed dogs like the Cavachon tend to be a bit yappy, but this hasn’t been our experience with our own Cavachon, Kirby. How does the Cavachon compare to other breeds?

The Cavachon is not generally a yappy dog and can be pretty quiet. Like most dogs, they may bark when they want something, when they are warning you of an intruder, or when they get excited. Training your dog to lie quietly on his mat or dog bed can help to minimize this loud behavior.

If you are ready to learn more about managing this behavior in your new puppy, here is everything you need to know!

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Are Cavachons Yappy?

Many people anticipate that their new little dog may be a bit yappy. This can be a real deterrent to some people who prefer to have a quiet and well-mannered dog. How does the Cavachons compare to other dog breeds such as the Yorkiepoo or the Goldendoodle when barking?

Fortunately, the Cavachon is not always a yappy dog. Some situations arise where your dog may bark to get your attention or to notify you of some impending danger. However, they are generally quiet dogs that can get along great if you live close to others.

When our own Cavachon was a puppy, Kirby rarely barked at anything. Kirby was as quiet as a mouse and hardly ever let us know that he wanted anything. He developed a habit of some mild barking as he got older, though.

While we could certainly train him not to engage in this behavior, the small amount of barking we endure doesn’t bother us much. We know it is Kirby’s way of letting us know when something is amiss or when someone or something is coming up to our house.

Reasons Why They Bark

The reason why many Cavachons bark is quite complex. Much like any other dog breed, the Cavachon has several reasons for engaging in this behavior. Here are a few reasons why your dog may be a bit yappy from time to time.

Desire

Many Cavachons, Kirby included, will bark when they want something from you. Their desire for attention, food, water, or a bathroom break leads them to pester you in the form of loud barking. Our dog is guilty of this type of behavior quite often. It’s his way of notifying us of things that are amiss in his world, such as an empty water dish.

Unfortunately, this behavior is often reinforced by dog owners. They attempt to get their dog to quiet down by giving in to their demands. While it is essential to ensure that your dog has everything they need, you mustn’t always give in to their loud demands. It is best to ignore their request until they give in and quiet down.

When you give them what they want, they learn that barking is the key to getting their way. In essence, you are training your dog to bark more frequently. This can be a terrible cycle to break.

Warning

Cavachons may be small dogs, but don’t let them know it! They often engage in this annoying barking when they need to warn you that something is coming. Most dogs of this breed are quite alert and intelligent. They want you to know when they perceive a threat to their territory or the well-being of their family.

Kirby often lets us know when people are coming up to our front door. He spends his days gazing out the window, and he almost always barks at folks in uniform, such as our postal worker and the FedEx delivery person. He will also bark at strangers passing by if he thinks they are coming too close to our front door.

Excitement

Do you notice that your dog barks more often when they are excited to do something with you? Your Cavachon may bark to let you know they are ready for a bit of playtime. Maybe they bark when they see something that is particularly stimulating to them. No matter the exact cause, they often bark out of excitement for what is going on around them.

Kirby will let us know when he is in the mood to play a game with us. He will bark for access to his favorite toy. However, this type of barking also extends to other environmental stimuli that he finds particularly fascinating. He will bark at cats and squirrels that race past the front of our house during the day.

When Does Barking Begin?

Many new dog owners wonder when they can expect this barking behavior to surface in their new canine companion. Unfortunately, it can often start quite early, at just a few weeks of age. By the time your new puppy makes it to your home, they are likely making some whining or grunting sounds along with a short bark.

Keep in mind that every dog is different. Some may not develop a taste for barking until they are older, similar to how our Kirby did not bark much as a puppy.

The good news is that you can nip barking early on with consistent training and socialization. Teach your dog that barking does not get them what they want and that they have nothing to fear from strangers. This type of training can go a long way toward minimizing the barking you experience.

What to Do When Your Dog Barks

Many Cavachon owners are eager to make the barking stop, even if this behavior tends to be relatively mild. It can still be an annoyance to those who wish to have a quiet household. What should you do when your dog starts to make a lot of noise?

The best thing to do is figure out why your dog is barking in the first place. Take a quick survey of their body language and their surroundings. Did they notice someone passing by the front of your house, or are they waiting by their food bowl?

If your dog is demanding something from you, the best thing to do is to ignore their request. Giving in to these loud demands is a surefire way to elicit more barking from your pup in the future.

Make sure that they have everything they need first, such as fresh water. You can wait until they have been quiet for a few minutes and then give them what they are asking for if they need it.

When your dog is barking to warn you of impending danger, you should consider their observation. They may be barking at someone outside your home who is approaching. You can choose to shut the door or window to keep your dog from barking further. However, you can also use the training techniques found in the next section.

A dog who is barking out of excitement may need a few moments to calm down. Remove the stimulus causing them such excitement by closing the blinds or stopping playtime until your dog quiets down a bit. If you are actively playing with them and do not mind the noise, there is no need to do anything additional for this type of barking.

How to Train Your Dog Not to Bark

Many dog owners wish they could minimize the barking that their dog seems to enjoy so much. Fortunately, this can be done in just a few short and easy steps.

First, you need to train your dog to go to their dog bed, a mat, or any other convenient location. This command is handy for helping your dog to calm down. It is the foundation of teaching your dog not to bark as well.

Work on this command until they have it down and can easily stay on their mat for a few minutes at a time without redirection. You may consider giving them treats while they stay or allowing them to play with a favorite toy while they lay on the mat.

Create a situation where you know your Cavachon will bark, such as ringing the doorbell or having someone knock on the door.

When the barking begins, give your dog the command to go to their mat or dog bed. They may be too excited to go, in which case you will need to pick him up and carry him there. Encourage him to stay and give him a toy to play with if this is what you usually do.

Wait for him to quiet down. Give the command “quiet” along with a tasty snack.

After enough repetition, your dog will start to associate the word quiet with the calm behavior of lying down on the mat. When you practice this often, you should eventually give the silent command and have your dog head straight to their mat without barking further.

Teaching Your Cavachon Not to Bark

Fortunately, the Cavachon is not often considered to be a yappy dog. Some situations may arise in your home that will lead to this type of behavior, though. Desires, warnings, and excitement can all contribute to your dog exercising his vocal cords. Be consistent in training for the quiet command, and you will have a calm and peaceful dog in no time at all!