Those rumors aren't always necessarily true. Sometimes you end up with a barker, but other times you can luck out. One thing I've heard if you want to help prevent barking (or separation anxiety), is to not come to them when they are barking like crazy if you crate them or pen them up. My 3 month old puppy is not much of a barker, but he definitely can be if I allowed him to! But, I've really been a tough mama at not coming to him when he's whining or barking in his pen. If you do go to them, it can let them know that "Hey, if I bark long and loud enough...my owner comes to me." This is not the message you want to give, or else they think their barking brings you to them, and they'll bark constantly when you leave them alone! I love my puppy and play with him as much as I can, but when it's time for me to go to work, take a break, or go to sleep...I make sure that I put him in his pen and not really pay attention to him for 5-10 minutes before I leave. If he barks or whines, then he barks or whines. Sometimes it's hard for me to resist, but I think you gotta do it. It trains them and helps them (and your ears) in the long run. And now, he only does it for 5 minutes and then he stops. That is great because I know if I did come to him, he'd be barking for muccchhh longer than that. So you can definitely help it through training. Also, if I'm heading out the door, I don't go to him and give him a long-drawn goodbye and big hugs and kisses. This can cause a puppy to have separation anxiety when you leave.
Hope this helps somewhat! Good luck to you! |