My dog never barks

alphanumeric · 14 Feb 2010

I have a 14 year old Flat Coated Retriever that has gone deaf. His bark had started to sound funny and we took him to the vet to see if he had a sore throat or something. His throat was fine, the problem was that he couldn't hear himself bark so sometimes it just didn't come out right. It is pretty normal if he is excited when he barks but sounds weird if its just a low bark. I know he barks a lot less since he lost his hearing. There were clues that it was happening but we didn't pick up on them. Latter on when we added them all up it became obvious. It doesn't seem to bother him a whole lot, he sleeps good.

AvatarOfTheShip · 20 Feb 2010

We had a Beagle and for well over a year after we got her she never made a sound. Then one day she was looking out of the window and saw the postman coming up the path (this was not the first time she'd seen him) and she started this high-pitched baying. She did it from time to time but not very often and somewhat unpredictably. Then again, she was a somewhat unpredictable character all round. She was a fantastic dog but totally disobedient.

FZ21Z · 21 Feb 2010

boohbah said:

my grandfather once told me if you want to make a dog bark, to stick your thumb up its ass. hope this helps

Yeah, I heard that works too, so try that, and post an image to show us if it works or not.

seekermeister · 21 Feb 2010

The one breed that is supposed to never bark is the Basenji, which normally that just whines. I was quite surprised when just once, he let out a single loud woof one night, when he didn't like something that he sensed somewhere.

gamepoint · 23 Feb 2010

what kind of statement is this
?????

tw33k · 23 Feb 2010

FZ21Z said:

Yeah, I heard that works too, so try that, and post an image to show us if it works or not.

seekermeister · 23 Feb 2010

gamepoint said:

what kind of statement is this
?????

Why, should I have written it in some language other than English?

rover3500 · 23 Feb 2010

My god,dogs i've had would drive u mad sometimes barking.Worst one was a collie/labrador would throw a wobbler everytime someone walked past the house.I can understand u wanting to hear it but u could regret it.I would leave it to bark(or not)as it wishes.What do the doctors say about it?
As well,is a bit of a strange forum to post pet probs.Maybe u should find an animal forum to ask,i'm sure there must be some and the people are more likely to be knowledgeable.

Arc · 23 Feb 2010

Somewhere I listened that a barking dog never bites. I hope the reverse is not the fact .... still, beware.

Coolness · 24 Feb 2010

seekermeister said:

gamepoint said:

what kind of statement is this
?????

Why, should I have written it in some language other than English?

Be easy on him, after all, he's only a "member"