Struggles Rarely Talked About

Barking, Service Dogs, and the Struggles We Don’t Talk About Enough

Lately, we’ve seen so many posts from service dog (SD) handlers who feel judged because of their dog’s barking, whether it’s at home, in the car, on walks, or even in training. If this is you, please know: you’re not alone, and you’re not failing.

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge some very real challenges in the SD community, and share ways we can support each other.

Barking is Normal. Barking is Communication.

Barking may not be the preferred method of communication for a working dog, but it’s still a natural canine behavior. Dogs don’t usually bark just to hear themselves (though Belle might disagree—she does seem to love the sound of her own voice! 😉).

At C2C Canine Coaches, we believe in taking a whole dog approach. Instead of trying to shut down barking, we ask: What is my dog trying to tell me? From there, we support the dog’s needs while teaching an alternative way to communicate.

Even service dogs need “dog time” with space to sniff, play, explore, and yes, even bark, when it’s appropriate.

Real-Life Example: Belle’s Journey

Coach Penny works with different standards for her dogs depending on the environment. In public, her dogs follow stricter service dog standards. But on relaxed walks in quiet areas, her dogs get more freedom. They sniff where they want, pee where they want, and sometimes pull on the leash more than she’d like.

This is their time. Penny’s role is simply to keep things safe.

For Belle, that sometimes means barking to say, “Look at me, I’m here!” or barking when something startles her. Children under six, for example, often make her nervous because of their unpredictability. In work mode, Belle can stay calm around kids because she doesn’t expect interaction. But outside of work, in “dog mode,” she sometimes worries that rambunctious kids might rush toward her. With calmer kids, Belle often warms up and welcomes the attention.

This is a work in progress—and that’s okay.

The Hard Truth Many Don’t Say Out Loud

Here’s the reality:

• Most adolescent dogs—whether service dogs in training or pets—go through phases of barking, jumping, pulling, and even mouthing.

• Many handlers feel judged or ashamed when their dog struggles, especially when others suggest their dog “isn’t a real service dog.”

• Some teams even give up during this stage, thinking their dog will never make it.

But these challenges are normal. They do not mean your dog isn’t capable. They do not mean you’re failing as a handler.

You Don’t Have to Go Through This Alone

At Crazy2Calm Canine Coaches, our mission is to support handlers through these tough seasons with compassion, positivity, and science-based training. We have two supportive Facebook groups designed just for this:

🐾 Crazy Canine Adolescents – For anyone navigating the ups and downs of adolescent dogs. A safe place to learn, vent, and connect.

🐾 Barking Mad with Cookies – Specifically for barky dogs. We host workshops 3–4 times a year to share force-free, games-based strategies that reduce barking while teaching healthier communication.

Our goal is to help SD teams become the best they can be, without force, fear, or intimidation. Training should be fun, adaptable, and supportive for both dog and handler.

Coming Up

We’ll be running our next Barking Mad with Cookies Workshop in October 2025. In the meantime, check out our newest video: Barking Mad at Visitors.

💙 Because you and your dog deserve support, not judgment. 💙

If you feel like you are being judged or have experienced criticism from the SD Community, feel free to reach out to us at crazy2calmcaninecoaches@gmail.com or through one of our social media outlets. We are on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Patreon, and our C2C Working Paws Community