?? This is really odd. This is my first dog but both of my parents have had dogs in the past. Yesterday, my family adopted a 9month old American Bulldog. She's a sweetie and is nothing but curious. I haven't seen any signs of aggression what-so-ever. My main reason for posting is that she will not bark! Even when I was at the shelter she did not bark. We asked the person who feed her at the shelter about this issue and he said that he had seen her bark a few times. We are constantly calling things to her in a desperate attempt to find out if she is possibly deaf (she seems to be hearing just fine). It's a good thing, believe me, but I'm getting a little scared that she might have some problem with her vocal-chords. We are going to take her to a trainer because, as we all know, even older puppies need training. Please help me out!

One way to check her hearing is to make a noise behind her, maybe just call her name when she isn't looking if she knows it yet. Don't make the noise loud or give her a clue by dropping something she may notice from the floor shaking.

Most shelter dogs have had a time of it. It may take some time in a strange, but loving home for her to even feel it is safe to bark. She may have been severely punished for every time she opened her mouth. More people complain about excessive barking, but you are not the first to be concerned about the lack of barking. Many of my puppies have done very little barking. Breed does not dictate personality, but terriers and herding dogs bark more than other breeds. If you get excited and shout when you thing she should bark, she may get the idea.

One last possibility is that a former owner had her vocal cords cut, called debarking.

You are right about continuing training. There are many very poor programs out there. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/.

Thank you for adopting a dog from the shelter. Many people have found great dogs that way. I will be here to help you with her.

Thanks, labman. I guess that I was rushing because just earlier today she barked at the vacuum cleaner. Hehe :) I'm glad she has a voice! She's so sweet and calm for a 9 month old! This is a really nice board so believe me when I say this: I will be back with further questions (if needed) :P.