Greyhound Barking: Actionable Advice & Top Questions Answered

Barking is in the normal repertoire for every dog.

The only exceptions are the basenji and the Portuguese yodelling dog (which, interestingly, physically can't bark).

Other than that, every dog can bark and will bark if the circumstances are suitable to do so. It's a regular social behaviour.

At GAP NSW, we’re here to support our adopters with all behaviour questions. Looking for a comprehensive guide to learning about barking? Look no further.

A greyhound could bark for a variety of reasons.

To determine why your greyhound might be barking at a dog it is meeting, it would be crucial to look at its body language.

If your dog is quite stiff and is leaning forward with an upright tail, chances are your dog is not comfortable meeting that dog, and it's not in your greyhound’s best interest to let them greet each other.

The same applies if your dog has a tucked tail, and is looking away and shifting its weight away, that's another indication that your dog's not happy, especially if they're barking.

The best thing to do is do an emergency U-turn, turn around and head in the opposite direction.

Conversely, if your greyhound has loose body language, a relaxed wagging tail, their eyes are bright and their facial muscles appear relaxed, then you could very well let them meet.

Overall, if you don't want your dog to bark every time they meet another dog, you should wait until the dog is calm before letting them meet each other.

If a greyhound is barking when they're alone, it could be one of two reasons.

We suggest reading the following two articles:

Further reading: 4 Great Interactive Dog Toys

Further reading: 7 Ways to Help a Greyhound Adjust to New Homes

Sometimes a dog can bark if they need to go to the toilet.

Usually, this is when that has been reinforced, where usually barking at the door, for example, gets the dog let out, so they learn in future, "Okay, that gets me what I want. I will go outside."

Often, that coincides with needing to go to the toilet. It's not something that a dog would necessarily intrinsically know, but if a dog's frustrated, they are more likely to bark, so it might happen on its own.

Your family should agree on a way that you want the dog to communicate wanting to go out.

Some people are really happy with the dog barking at the door. Other people are annoyed by the noise and would prefer the dog to stand by the door.

Usually, what you should do is try to get the dog to perform that behaviour every time they're about to go out, and then immediately let them out afterwards, that way, the dog learns consistently this will lead to going outside, so they'll do it more.

If you want your dog to bark less - you have to do is identify the cause of the behaviour, and once you've done that, you can take steps to minimise it.

For example, if your dog is likely barking due to boredom, you can provide more enrichment. If your dog is barking because they're uncomfortable meeting other dogs on walks, you could take steps to lower the exposure to these interactions.

Overall, we want to ensure the dog’s emotional and physical needs are being met, so they’re content - lazy couch potatoes.

Further reading: The Basic Principles of Changing Your Dog’s Behaviour

Barking is a neutral behaviour.

Any behaviour a dog performs (unless they're behaviorally or emotionally unwell) serves a purpose.

A dog is barking not to be good or bad, but to meet their needs, whether that's entertaining themselves, communicating with you or another dog, communicating frustration or otherwise.

It serves a purpose, and that's why it's being done, so, in that regard, it's neutral.

When you have a meet and greet with the dog you're interested in, the field assistant, site manager or regional coordinator will communicate the dog's temperament, personality and history with us.

That will include information such as tendencies to bark in different situations, and the measures you could take if the dog does have that kind of temperament or predisposition.

With that said, our greyhounds enter our program with our dedicated organisation to help prepare them for a wonderful, happy, domestic life!

To view our wonderful pooches, please browse our adoption section.