Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark A Lot?

Are you thinking about bringing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel home? No doubt, they are one of the most loved dog breeds and are known to make great companions. Before getting one, you might be wondering about their barking issues.

So, do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels bark a lot? No. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are calm and well-mannered dogs. They love the company of people, and they are great with children and strangers. However, like other dogs, certain conditions may trigger barking behavior.

Let’s learn more about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and their barking issues.

How Much Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark? 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are furry little lapdogs that are a perfect addition to families. They get along with kids and other pets, and they don’t usually bark. In fact, you’ll rarely ever hear them bark at all.

They tend to use their body language more, and if you socialize them right from the beginning, you’ll have no concerns regarding their barking habits.

Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Quiet?  

Yes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are quiet dogs. They may occasionally bark when they hear the doorbell or see another small animal like a squirrel.

Still, other than these common things that can catch a canine’s attention, you won’t have to worry about your neighbors complaining about your dog barking all the time! It is one of the reasons why they can’t make good guard dogs.

Why Do King Charles Spaniels Bark?  

King Charles Spaniels don’t bark unless they are distracted by something. Usually, they only bark when they hear other dogs barking or see something they want to chase.

Other than that, they are loving dogs that stay quiet and enjoy spending time with their family. They may bark due to different reasons, but you can figure out whether it’s a concerning matter or not by looking for other signs such as changes in their sleeping or eating patterns and seeing how much they bark.

Why Is My King Charles Barking So Much? 

While your dog may bark now and then, excessive barking, especially from a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, can be a matter of concern. Here are some reasons why your dog is barking so much.

Separation anxiety

Your King Charles Spaniel may suffer from separation anxiety even if you leave it alone for a few hours.

Your dog may feel unsettled or anguished while staying alone. However, if you are unsure whether this is the reason for your dog’s excessive barking, you can look out for some symptoms usually accompanied by separation anxiety. You may start seeing these signs before you leave the house.

• Destructive behavior such as digging, chewing, or destroying objects around the house.
• Scratching walls, floors, or doors.
• Urination or defecation inside the house when you are not present.
• Excessive howling or barking only when alone or when you are leaving.
• Pacing around the house in a visible pattern.
• Trying to get out of the house.
• Panting more than usual.
• Salivating or drooling.

Illness

If your King Charles Spaniel is ill, it’ll try to get it to your attention by barking a lot. There are certain diseases this breed is more prone to, and you must have knowledge of these illnesses to avoid the condition from getting worse.

The health conditions can be the root cause of your dog’s barking, and as they’re difficult to notice, medical help is necessary.

Fear of strangers

The fear of strangers can be intimidating for dogs. Observe how your dog reacts to meeting strangers. If that is the only time it barks, your pup is probably not comfortable around anyone outside the family.

Hunger

Your King Charles Spaniel may be a picky eater, and as skipping meals is not an option, it will constantly bark to tell you that it’s hungry and wants something else to eat.

Claiming territory

Territorial aggression is another problem that comes up with poorly trained puppies. Dogs tend to get aggressive when it comes to claiming their territory, especially if there is a new pet in the family.

Boredom

Sometimes, King Charles Spaniels may just be barking out of boredom. When they don’t find anything to do, they will become aggressive and start barking out of frustration.

Why Do King Charles Spaniels Randomly Bark?  

They can randomly bark if something catches their attention or if they are bored. Random barks shouldn’t be concerning as they are inconsistent, but the problem arises when your dog starts howling or barking nonstop. In that case, you can observe its behavior to see if the issue is serious or not.

How Do I Get My King Charles Spaniel To Stop Barking? 

Before you start experimenting and seeing what gets your dog to stop barking, you should pinpoint the problem. There are a number of causes why your dog keeps barking, and it’s best to know the issue before anything else.

Here’s everything you can do to stop your King Charles Spaniel from barking.

Don’t leave it alone for long

Separation anxiety can be difficult to overcome for dogs, and that’s why it’s necessary to give it attention and time.

You should never leave your dog alone for more than a few hours, and even if you have to, make sure you provide it with all the necessary supplies.

Seek medical help

If you’re confused about your dog’s excessive barking problem, you can always take it to a vet and seek medical help. This step is beneficial as you’ll be able to get your dog thoroughly checked and get to know about medical issues beforehand. Thus, it can save your dog’s life in the long term.

Keep it busy

We all know that our dogs start losing their mind if they don’t get to do something for a few hours. It may also lead to excessive barking, which is not good at all.

So, you can keep your dog busy by providing it with play toys. When alone, it will keep playing and keep itself occupied instead of getting bored.

A helpful little trick is to not throw all of your dog’s toys in front of it all the time, as they will lose value after a while. It would be better to switch to a different toy once it gets fed up with the old one. You can keep doing this to keep your pup entertained.

You should also contribute part of your time and attention to your dog to keep it calm, or else it’ll keep barking until you do so!

Make it meet other people and animals

The fear of strangers can be troublesome for dogs and owners alike.

To overcome this problem, you need to socialize your puppy from the start. Get it in new environments to meet different people and take it to dog parks where it can come across other people and animals.

Enroll it in obedience courses

If your pup is not a pup anymore and it still has a fear of strangers, it can be harder for you to socialize it. However, it’s not impossible, so work on your dog or take it to a professional for training.

If you don’t have a dog yet and are planning on getting a King Charles Spaniel, you should opt for a puppy as it’s easier to train. If you want an adult dog, make sure you get a well-socialized one from an animal shelter. That’s sure to keep all the barking at bay!

Ensure mental and physical stimulation

Mental and physical stimulation is necessary to keep dogs active and healthy.

Take it on a walk or give it toys to play with. It’s also necessary to exercise your dog often to keep it busy and active. When your dog becomes tired after exercising and walking, it won’t have enough energy to keep barking later.

This method will also make your bond stronger with your dog.

Check for distractions

If something unusual in the house is bothering your dog, it may bark while looking at it. A better idea, in this case, is to remove it, may it be a painting or a decoration piece.

However, you can also familiarize your dog with it to make it calm and let it know that it isn’t something it should be bothered about.

Final Words

To sum up, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are quiet dogs that get along with family members and strangers. They can bark due to poor socialization, boredom, or something distracting them. The matter can be serious if they are facing an illness or separation anxiety. Still, overall, you should be able to sort out the barking situation with the help of a dog trainer or a vet, depending on the circumstances.

You can use our tips to solve the excessive barking behavior before it becomes intense, and you can do nothing about it.