I believe that barking comes with age. Little ones are not too sure what the use for barking is really, except mostly in play. As they grow and become more territorial about their home and family, barking will become a natural instinct to alert you to strangers or potential danger.
Xena is almost 10 and Spirit almost 2. They bark when someone comes to the door or when another animal is too close to our home. In Xena's younger years, I worried something was wrong with her because she never barked...that I heard of!! I returned home one day to find out she had been barking her lungs out most of the day, according to the neighbors, and it was then I realized she was experiencing separation anxiety. I never even thought of scolding her (what use would that be anyway) for barking and disturbing the neighbors as I was too excited to hear her bark!! Spirit's been barking since he was knee-high to a grasshopper...he has a lot to say!! He barks like he has laryngitis! He starts off deep and ends it with weak "woo-woo-woo-woo's"!! I LOVE how his jowls puff out when he barks...he looks so goofy!

Anyway...be careful what you wish for! One day you may find yourself saying "oh for crying out loud...don't you ever shut up!!"!
