"A bark or two is completely natural canine behavior," the AKC says, "but excessive dog barking can be a serious problem." Humane World for Animals agrees: "Barking is normal dog behavior and puppies won't grow out of it, but you can take positive steps to reduce it." The Dutch Shepherd is an interesting case. The AKC's breed page gives it a 2 out of 5 for Barking Level, toward the "Only To Alert" end of the scale, and a 5 out of 5 for Watchdog/Protective Nature, the "Vigilant" end. Here is what that means at home, how to teach a quiet cue, and how to handle the window, the doorbell and the yard.

What the AKC's scores tell you

The AKC describes the Dutch Shepherd as "a lively, athletic, alert and intelligent breed." It was developed as "an all-purpose farm dog, working originally as a farm guard, drover, and livestock dog." Two scores on its breed page matter for barking:

In plain terms, the AKC doesn't rate the Dutch Shepherd as a nonstop barker, but it does rate it as a dog that notices what's going on around your home. A bark at a stranger in the driveway is part of the package. The work is keeping it to a bark or two, and teaching your dog to stop when you ask.

Why dogs bark

The AKC says "dogs bark for many different reasons. You will be far more effective at curbing your dog's barks if you can learn what your dog is saying." A dog barking at people might be barking "out of excitement to see them, anxiety about an intruder, or frustration they can't get close enough to say hello." Another AKC guide lists fear, territory, "a joyful greeting," attention and boredom. The first guide adds, "Because barking is so varied, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to stopping it."

Humane World puts it from the dog's side: "If your dog is barking incessantly, they're trying to tell you they have an unmet need or need to be removed from a scary or overwhelming situation." Start every barking problem by asking what your dog gets out of it. "Your dog gets some kind of reward when they bark," Humane World says. "Otherwise, they wouldn't do it."

Barking for attention

"Dogs learn how to get what they want from their humans, and barking usually gets an immediate response," the AKC says. If you throw the ball or pet your dog to stop the noise, "your dog is actually training you."

Teaching a quiet cue

"Just as you can teach your dog to speak on cue, you can train them to stop barking as well," the AKC says. The method teaches your dog that silence earns rewards:

The AKC adds that the cue "only works when you're there to give it, but it's a word every dog should learn." The breed page notes that the Dutch Shepherd "does better with shorter training sessions (with little repetitions)," so keep quiet practice short and frequent.

Dabo, working-line Dutch Shepherd, lying on a rug at home with an orange ball between his front legs, ears up
Dabo off duty at home. Calm and quiet is something you can reward.

Barking at the window

The AKC says this kind of barking "can be especially difficult to change because it is often self-rewarding." The mail carrier was leaving anyway, but your dog thinks the barking worked. "The more dogs practice barking at the window, the stronger that routine becomes," the AKC says. It adds that "most dogs are motivated to bark out the window by negative emotions like fear or frustration," so a window seat isn't always the treat it looks like.

The doorbell and guests

"Another way to prevent barking at visitors is to teach your dog to go to their place when people come over," the AKC says. The place can be a crate, a dog bed or a mat. If guests overwhelm your dog, the AKC says to keep it away from the entryway with a dog gate or an exercise pen. "They can greet the guests later once they've calmed down and accepted their presence." Humane World's drill for the door:

Our Off Switch guide covers teaching a settle, and our polite greetings guide covers what happens once the guest is inside.

Azul, Dutch Shepherd, sitting in a harness on a quiet street at sunset, with a longboard in front of her
Azul taking in the street. Noticing the world doesn't have to mean barking at it.

The yard and the sidewalk

The AKC warns against leaving your dog alone in the yard. "Out in the yard, that can mean barking at every squirrel and falling leaf." Potty breaks on its own are fine, "but don't think alone time in the backyard is a substitute for mental stimulation and physical exercise."

For a dog that barks at a specific thing, like other dogs, Humane World uses distance and treats. Start with the trigger far enough away that your dog doesn't bark, and "feed them lots of good treats for maintaining eye contact with you and not barking." Move a little closer, perhaps as little as a few inches or a few feet to start, and keep the treats coming. "If your dog starts barking, you've gotten too close to the stimulus." Don't rush it: "it may take days or weeks before your dog can pay attention to you and the treats without barking at the other dog."

The AKC adds that a dog with "many positive experiences with all ages and types of people" is "less likely to bark at them." Our socialization guide covers building that early.

A tired dog barks less

"A tired dog is a dog who is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration," Humane World says. The AKC gives the Dutch Shepherd a 5 out of 5 for Energy Level, and the AKC and Humane World both suggest puzzle toys to keep a dog busy. If your dog barks when you leave, the AKC says to give it "an adequate amount of physical and mental exercise before you leave in the morning." See our guides to exercise needs, brain work and alone time.

Mistakes that keep barking going

The AKC says professional help is worth considering "when barking is frequent, emotionally intense, fear-based, worsening over time, or disrupting daily life despite consistent training efforts." Humane World recommends a certified professional dog trainer if your dog is "barking reactively to strangers, family members or other dogs."

The question to ask before you apply

A dog at the "Vigilant" end of the AKC's watchdog scale is likely to tell you about the delivery truck. Living with one means teaching a quiet cue, managing windows and doors, and giving it enough exercise every day, with every adult in the house following the same rules. It's why our application asks for your training plan, and whether all the adults in your home agree to a high-drive breed.

The short version: a bark or two is normal, and the AKC puts the Dutch Shepherd at the top of its watchdog scale. Find out why your dog barks before you fix it. Don't reward barking with attention, and don't yell. Teach a quiet cue by rewarding silence, give your dog a place to go when the doorbell rings, block the view out the window while you train, and keep it well exercised.

More manners for the first year: crate training, loose-leash walking and coming when called.

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