Sheltie Is My Teacher

Tips to help your Sheltie stop excessive barking!

Shelties are prone to excessive barking, they are a herding breed, it is in their nature to alert you to strange animals or people that are getting near the parameter of their property (i.e. people walking by, stray dogs or cats on the loose, they may even try to “herd” cars, which is why it so important to have your sheltie in a securely fenced yard when outdoors for their safety!), this is their herding instinct in action! But with gentle firmness and consistency they are relatively easy to train.

Here is an easy tip that I personally use and it works great on my shelties (and I have several!) I no longer get complaints from neighbors and my dogs are quiet, obedient and relaxed. Shelties are eager to please you, but you have to let them know what you want!

If your sheltie begins barking and it is not desired, burst outside (or into the room where they are if they are inside, though shelties seldom bark indoors) and firmly say the command “Quiet!”, keep doing this every time they start to bark. Within a few days, the problem should be resolved. Just don’t give up and be consistent (use the same command every time, and do this every time you notice them barking), this is the key! Soon you will have a quiet sheltie and you and your neighbors will rest easier.

I start this process over with new puppies and with any new dog I introduce. Because of course new puppies will get excited and want to bark, with patience and consistency, they too will learn to be quiet. It is reinforced quickly when they observe the older dogs are not barking. Here’s to a quieter future for you and your sheltie

Author: Kimberly Helgeson Sams   Kimberly Helgeson Sams has raised and trained shetland sheepdogs (shelties) for over 18 years and is a professional dog artist (shelties are of course her specialty!), she owns Studio Stage Dragon and Stage Dragon Shelties for more information check out http://www.stagedragon.com

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ASSA Position on Debarking Shelties
The ASSA recognizes that owners have to juggle difficult decisions regarding the care of their animals and their responsibility to their neighbors and the community at large. Ultimately, it is in the best interest of an incessant barker to have its bark softened rather than for a beloved family pet to be relinquished to a shelter or euthanized due to non‐compliance with local noise ordinances or disputes with neighbors.
Read full article here.

Debarking Myth Debunked
There has always been and will probably continue to be controversy around the subject of the practice of de-barking (bark softening) dogs. We would like to refer you to the following website, where the facts about debarking are available – facts which might help you to better understand the procedure and the humane action involved… Debarking – Myths and Facts