While contemplating on purchasing a Catahoula Leopard, the first thing you might think about is their level of barking as not all breeds of dogs bark excessively.
Also, excessive barking can create a troublesome situation. So considering all these aspects, an important question can arise in your mind whether Catahoula Leopard dogs bark a lot or not.
Therefore, let’s go through rationales regarding this behavioral aspect of the Catahoula Leopard.
Do Catahoula Leopard Dogs Bark A Lot?
Normally, all Catahoula Leopard dogs bark a lot. Particularly Catahoulas that are suffering from severe separation anxiety barks extremely when they are left alone at home on their own. Besides, if Catahoula Leopards are worried, seeking attention, or they are bored, they will bark at a high rate.
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Do Catahoulas Bark A Lot?
Catahoula Leopard dogs bark extremely, and such a tendency of barking a lot is evident in almost every Catahoula Leopard dog. And the sole reason that triggers most of the Catahoula Leopards to bark incessantly is severe separation anxiety.
Catahoula Leopard dogs are serious attention seekers that prefer to stay in touch with their masters all the time. So when these dogs are left in solitary for a long period and don’t get attention, they tend to get stressed and their anxiety makes them bark extremely.
However, except for the separation anxiety issue, Catahoula Leopards can bark loudly if they are stressing over anything or any person. Also, sometimes pent-up energy and boredom can incite Catahoulas to bark.
Are Catahoulas Barkers?
Catahoula Leopard dogs are absolute barkers. It’s because they are vocal dogs and being vocal dogs, they channel their inner wolf and bark their head off.
Moreover, know that Catahoula Leopards have scored 3 out of 5 in the ranking of barker dog breeds which clearly explains that Catahoula Leopards are extreme barkers.
Besides, when they are neglected or kept isolated for many hours inherently their barker nature appears and they bark until someone stops them.
Why Does My Catahoula Bark So Much?
Numerous incentives, including both good and bad, trigger Catahoula Leopard dogs to bark so much. So to enlighten you with the primary causes, this section consists of detailed yet short explanations that will describe why your Catahoula barks extremely.
Separation Anxiety:
Among all of the rationales, separation anxiety is the one that evokes excessive barking in Catahoula Leopards dogs. Catahoula Leopards are most likely to go through serious separation anxiety if they are kept isolated for a long period.
Because their stress regarding getting separated from their masters makes them bark non-stop.
So, if you are leaving your Catahoula often/every day at home in solitary for a long time, he certainly will suffer from separation anxiety which will activate his excessive barking.
Boredom:
Another obvious reason behind your Catahoula Leopard dog’s awfully barking is boredom. Know that Catahoulas are active and energetic dogs that require a certain amount of exercise/strenuous activity/physical and mind-stimulating games to keep them engaged.
If you are failing to provide him with these necessary activities/exercises, he will get bored as he will be full of lots of pent-up energy. To reduce unused energy and get rid of boredom, your Catahoula will bark at an extreme rate.
Improper Socialization:
Catahoula Leopards are greatly wary of strangers and other creatures outside of the family. Therefore, to make them get along with the humans and creatures around them, proper socialization from their puppyhood is needed.
When your Catahoula is improperly socialized, he tends to bark aggressively and incessantly at everyone and everything he sees/meets.
Drawing Attention:
Every single moment Catahoula Leopard dogs yearn to get love and attention. So when your Catahoula realizes that he is not getting enough compassion and affection that he needs from you and others, anytime he will bark to draw attention to him.
And if it becomes a habit, every time you see your Catahoula barking excessively.
Playfulness:
Dogs bark quite a lot when they are playing with other dogs and it’s a natural thing. Therefore, upon meeting and playing with other dogs, your Catahoula Leopard will bark so much but the period of such barking doesn’t last long.
What Does Catahoula Bark Sound Like?
Catahoulas bark sounds like any other breed of dog. They bark in a high-pitched deep and loud voice that sometimes can make anyone go crazy. Sometimes, they roar in an aggressive and deep voice while barking too.
Catahoula Leopards are vocal dogs, so naturally, their barking sound is sharp and very boisterous.
How To Stop Catahoula Leopard Dogs From Barking?
Unreasonable barking of your Catahoula Leopard dog can turn into an inconvenient situation, so preventing him from barking anytime is essential. So, here some methods/ways are described that can help you to make your Catahoula Leopard stop barking.
Proper Socialization:
Putting effort into your Catahoula Leopard’s proper socialization is the most effective way of preventing him from barking outrageously at other people and pets.
Any dog’s socialization starts from their puppyhood, so you must start introducing your Catahoula Leopard to people from outside of the family and other pets. So that he gradually accepts them and doesn’t bark for no reason.
Desensitization:
The best way of dealing with your Catahoula Leopard’s separation anxiety and barking is desensitization and counterconditioning.
In this process teach your Catahoula to tolerate your absence gradually. You can start with leaving your Catahoula alone for a short period and return home before he starts barking.
Slowly extend the time and teach him to stay at home confidently without missing your presence and being stressed.
Counterconditioning:
Counterconditioning is the other effective way, if desensitization doesn’t work well. In this process make your Catahoula associate positively with an unpleasant and uncomfortable situation.
Start counterconditioning by leaving him with his most favorite long-lasting treats and companion toy/chew toys. And take away the treat/toy when you return.
This method will help him realize that he will get that special treat/toys only when he is staying alone. And the desire to get treats/toys will make him stop barking.
Exercise:
One of the most effective methods to prevent your Catahoula Leopard from barking is providing him with an adequate amount of exercise regularly and before you leave home.
As Catahoulas are active dogs, so you must regularly make your dog exercise regularly and take him on walks. So that he can release his pent-up energy and get physically stimulated and he will not bark so much.
Also, make your Catahoula do strenuous exercises before you leave him alone at home. Tiring exercises will make him tired and lose energy, and with a tired body he would rather sleep than barking.
Mental Stimulation:
Since boredom is a common reason that makes Catahoulas bark so much, you should keep your Catahoula Leopard mentally stimulated to make him stop barking.
When you will be leaving your Catahoula alone at home, leave him with a lot of companion toys, chew toys, and treats so that he doesn’t feel bored. Besides, exciting toys and delicious treats will keep his mind occupied.
Behavior Training:
Train your Catahoula with basic behavior training and command is the other way. Teach him to stop barking at commands such as “stop”, “Quit” whenever he is barking incessantly at anything. And if he stops at your commands, reward him to encourage his good behavior.
Do Catahoulas Bark At Night? Why Do They Bark At Night?
Catahoula Leopards can bark quite a lot at night. Especially if it’s a puppy, he may bark all night continuously because he hasn’t adjusted well with his new family yet.
Some mature Catahoulas also bark at night due to behavioral issues or if they sense any danger. However, if the Catahoula is a properly trained, socialized, and happy dog, he will not bark at night.
Catahoula Leopard dogs that bark at night, they can bark due to several serious issues.
The serious issues include loneliness, asking for attention, separation anxiety, stress, boredom, sensing threat, and unused energy. If any of these reasons trigger Catahoulas, they will bark at night.
Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs Vocal?
Catahoula Leopard dogs are vocal dogs. They can bark their head off, and sometimes they bark continuously for no good reason.
Catahoulas whine and howl too in a very ear-piercing sharp voice that sometimes can become an annoying issue, especially at night.
They are quite responsive towards their master’s action and try to reply to them by making groaning sounds.
Does Catahoula Bark At Other Dogs?
Catahoula Leopard dogs bark at other dogs if they are not properly socialized. Because they assume those dogs as their opponent and get angry at them. Besides, if any other dog crosses Catahoula Leopard’s territory, they bark at those dogs.
Sometimes, while playing with other dogs, Catahoulas bark at them out of enjoyment.
Are Catahoula Leopard Dogs Aggressive?
A well-trained and socialized Catahoula Leopard is not aggressive towards people or other pets at all. But they will remain wary of outsiders and can become aggressive if someone tries to hurt their family members or owners.
However, it’s seen that male Catahoula dogs are aggressive towards another male dog as they take them as their rival.
How Do You Socialize Catahoula?
You can socialize your Catahoula in three ways-
- Puppy training at home
- Socialization classes by a professional dog trainer
- Introducing him to outsiders and other pets from puppyhood
- Taking him to social places like parks to get acquainted with other pets more frequently.
Final Thoughts:
Catahoula Leopard dogs are born barkers and they bark excessively when they are going through drastic separation anxiety or poorly socialized. Moreover, fear, boredom, unused energy, territorial threat, sensing danger are the other reasons that make Catahoula Leopards bark so much.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Fast Can a Catahoula Run? How Many Miles Can They Run?
When Will My Catahoula Calm Down?