Last Updated on September 7, 2026
Whether they are barking at strangers or barking because they miss you, a dog that barks non-stop is hard to live with.
The good news is that once you know what is setting your Cavoodle off, you can settle it down with some simple, positive techniques. Here is how to stop a Cavoodle from barking, safely and without a shock collar.
My Cavoodle barks constantly, what do I do?
For a dog, barking is as natural as breathing. Cavoodles bark to alert you to something, to communicate with other dogs, or to say “hey, this is my patch and you are too close”. For most owners the odd bark is no problem. It only becomes an issue when it is constant, at everyone and everything. So how do you settle it down?
Why your Cavoodle might be barking
All dogs bark to communicate, both with each other and with us. Your dog might also just be bored. Since we can only guess what a bark means, the trick is to ask yourself whether your Cavoodle’s needs are being met. Are they bored? Are they getting enough mental stimulation? Cavoodles thrive on having something to do, so if there is nothing going on, you may find yours acting up. Some dogs also bark when they are left alone, which can be a sign of separation anxiety.
Work out what is setting them off
The first step to reducing your Cavoodle’s barking is finding the trigger. Some common ones include barking at a passer-by while out in the yard, barking at a noise from outside like a car engine, or barking at another animal such as a dog, cat or bird. Once you know the trigger, you can start to address it.
Replace the barking with better behaviour
The best way to get rid of an unwanted behaviour is to replace it with a better one. Training is very effective here. Teach your Cavoodle a “quiet” command, so when they start up you have a way to ask them to stop. This works a treat on walks, where your dog might bark at strangers, though it does not help much when you are not home.
If boredom is the culprit, give your Cavoodle something to do. A new trick to learn, or a puzzle toy to work at, can make a big difference. A bored Cavoodle is a barking Cavoodle.
The desensitising technique
If you think your Cavoodle is barking out of fear or feeling threatened, at another dog or a stranger for example, you can help them work through it with a method called desensitising.
Start somewhere controlled. If your Cavoodle barks at strangers, ask a friend to help. If it is other dogs, borrow a well behaved dog from a friend or relative. If it is a specific noise like a doorbell, try to recreate the sound.
To begin with, keep the trigger at a safe distance or a low volume, just enough for your dog to notice it without feeling the urge to bark. Find that comfortable level and start there. The moment your dog notices the trigger, give them a couple of small treats before they bark, and praise them in a cheerful voice to make the moment as positive as possible.
Move the trigger a little closer, or turn the volume up slightly, and reward them again. If they bark or get anxious, the trigger is too close, so go back to a level they are comfortable with and start again. Never yell or punish them, since you want your dog building positive associations, not fear.
With patience and time, your dog learns that the trigger means good things, like tasty treats. This can take several weeks depending on the dog, and setbacks are normal, so stay consistent and keep it upbeat. As they improve, you can do the same on walks and at parks, rewarding them the moment they spot something that used to set them off, before they have a chance to bark. If the trigger gets too close, distract them and calmly move away.
What about separation anxiety?
If the barking comes when your Cavoodle is left alone, that takes a little more work. You need to gently teach your dog that being left alone does not mean being abandoned. Common tips include leaving a recently worn piece of your clothing with them, along with a few engaging toys to keep them occupied. Build up the time you are away slowly rather than all at once, so being alone becomes normal instead of frightening.
Other ways to help
A few other things can help settle a barky Cavoodle. Boost their activity levels if they seem bored around the house, with longer walks or games like a treat scavenger hunt that work their body and brain. Blocking their view of the street, through windows or the fence, can remove the trigger altogether. And if they love the company of other dogs, the odd day at doggy day care can do wonders.
Please do not use a shock collar
A shock collar delivers a small zap to your dog’s throat whenever they bark. The shock usually is not enough to injure them, but it startles them, and these collars are a poor choice for a couple of reasons. First, they do not teach your Cavoodle anything, they simply punish a dog for doing something that feels completely natural. Second, a dog may bark at the shock itself, which triggers another shock, and so it goes until the dog tires out or the battery dies. There are far kinder and more effective ways to get there.
The bottom line
The best way to stop a Cavoodle barking is to make sure their needs are being met. Keep your Cavoodle healthy, exercised and relaxed at home, because a happy, calm dog is far less likely to bark in the first place. Put a bit of training in on top of that and you will keep the barking down and keep your Cavoodle happy at the same time.
