# Hilo's barking Jen and I went on a hike with Hilo [and Kona] over the weekend. He barked at everyone again - a lot. He used to never bark, but now he barks a lot, and it kinda scares people [yes Hilo can be scary, I know it's hard to believe]. We were chatting about it and we realized something, his barking start… ## Thread In Behavior · started by brada1878 · 13 replies - **Category:** [Behavior](https://nihonken.org/community/c/behavior) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-09-15T14:17:14.000Z Jen and I went on a hike with Hilo [and Kona] over the weekend. He barked at everyone again - a lot. He used to never bark, but now he barks a lot, and it kinda scares people [yes Hilo can be scary, I know it's hard to believe]. We were chatting about it and we realized something, his barking started shortly after he was neutered. Any idea if this could be related? Has anyone experienced this with their male? ---- ## brandon_w (admin) · 2008-09-15T14:23:19.000Z Do you think it is because of neutering, or age? He is getting older, he is an Akita, and well you know, they gaurd. ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-09-15T14:57:56.000Z He is nearing his 2 year mark, and that is the maturity mark for Akita. That thought has crossed our mind - but it just coincided so precisely with his neutering it is hard to pass that up. ## brandon_w (admin) · 2008-09-15T15:04:28.000Z Maybe he's asking "Was it you? DID YOU STEAL MY BALLS?!?!?!" ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-09-15T15:23:54.000Z LMAO - he might be! Good point! ## _dlroberts · 2008-09-15T16:15:45.000Z What kind of barking is he doing? And how long has it been since his neuter? Doesn't it take a few months for the hormones to settle? ## Romi (admin) · 2008-09-15T17:01:10.000Z Ninja started barking/howling after his neuter. I don't know if you remember, but I had mentioned that it seemed like his aggression was getting worse after the neuter. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it, but Ninja still does it and it's kind of hard to get him to stop...but it's only when people are entering the house. Ninja never barks outside, only growls sometimes. I donno, before Ninja got neutered, he would rarely bark...he would just run and hide. But now he thinks he's tough shit or something and stands his ground. ## sujewel · 2008-09-15T17:38:02.000Z I got Keigo when after he was neutered, so I can't help. But, I know that he does bark alot. Not to people just walking by. However, he barks at people near our car, on our roof (neighbors), when the dogs next door go out to potty, when he sees animals in our backyard, when he wants to play, come inside, go out. He barks a good bit. ## JessicaRabbit (admin) · 2008-09-15T23:03:27.000Z As I understand it dogs do get a surge of testosterone post neutering. Perhaps that is playing a factor. Although I prefer Brandons theory. ## brada1878 (admin) · 2008-09-15T23:29:47.000Z Yea, I was told that the surge lasts 3 months, and it has been 3+ months since his neuter. Maybe it's a combination of the neutering and the maturing. ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-09-16T03:57:37.000Z Awww...baby Hilo is almost all grown up now <3 ~ ## Leonberger (admin) · 2008-09-16T10:51:52.000Z Although Akitas are amazing guard dogs, they are also known for not barking all that much.I mean, I hear Kuma bark once a week or so. The first breeder I visited had 14 Akitas that didn't make a sound as I went in the yard, even though all the other dogs there were going crazy. They didn't take their eyes off me, though. Do you think he's getting less confident? Maybe he's getting the need to show others how much of a big guy he is? ## sujewel · 2008-09-16T11:22:06.000Z BTW. I should mention that my gauge could be off on Keigo and his barking. He barks several times throughout the day, not constantly. Mika, on the other hand, almost NEVER barks. I can probably count the number of times she's barked in 4.5 years on two hands....maybe even one. Keigo, is definitely our guard dog. Or more to the point, our alarm/warning dog. Even when we're at home, he's typically sitting/laying outside the door to the bedroom or closer to the front door or sliding glass door when we're in the living room. Mika, by contast is always at our feet. --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)