Hello, i'm a sheltie, how can i help my owners teach me not to bark so much.?

[rowbee]

thanks and kisses to all

[Maddie E]

Shelties are some of the yappiest dogs known to man, lol. Its a problem for a lot of people.

Here is a really good article specifically on Shelties
http://www.dogpatch.org/sheltie/barking.html

Some things you can try are shaking a can filled with coins (the loud noise makes some dogs stop but others will just bark more, I haven't found it to be too effective.
What I do with my dog (a problem barker as well) is whenver she starts barking I go over to her and make her sit. When she sees me there she usually responds to me more and will stop

[Melanie]

shock collar people say their bad for a dog but its not!

[??Aries??]

If I were your owner I'd love you no matter what. We have a sheltie too, and we are crazy about her ? . When a dog barks he/she wants to say something to the owner.. The owner has to listen.

All personalities are different. One barks more, another barks less. Don't worry too much about barking. As long you are a kind and intelligent dog excessive barking may go away with time..

[isabella g]

ohhhhhhh!!! that's so cute tell you owners to walk you everyday or even run with you to drain your energy...

[Precious]

awwwwwwwwww I loooooooooove shelties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta train 'em with that the same way as anything else I suppose. Some dogs don't listen when you say NO firmly though so, I'd recommend training.

[Ami D]

Good luck with that, this breed is known for the yapping!! Try more stimulation as in excercise and toys that they have to figure out to get a treat out or something like that! Good luck!! =0)

[Lyn B]

Tell your =Mom to read this.

Mom there are several things you can try.
Find a nice sharp noise you can make that will starter her.
When an occasion comes up that you know she is going to bark, do the noise immediately to break her train of thought and when she stops tell her she is a good girl and give her a treat. If she tries to bark give her the noise and stop her. and if she stops give her a treat. Repeat this often. Don't treat her if she barks and don't yell at her, or scold her or go NO NO NO NO. and don't touch and pet her when she is barking.
She gets pets and treats when she is quiet.
And this means staying with it and carrying treats in your pocket.
If she barks at the door. You claim the door with your body, the noise and your extended hands. Back her up at lest 3 to 5 feet from the door and keep her quiet with your noise the body and treats. No treats is she is not quiet. Have a friend come over to ring the bell or knock so you can practice with the dog. She will learn very fast that barking does not get treats. Eventually leave off the treats and just give her a "goodgirl" and some petting.

You will need to do this EVERYTIME until she gets the big picture. And you will be surprise how fast that will be.

[Lizbiz]

Number one, your owners have no idea that when they raise their voices you think you should as well. After all, this is a family unit and we all know that loud voices mean danger or caution. Now you told me a few things:

When the knocks come on that big door I don't know who is trying to get into our home and neither do my owners. They often ignore me until I bark or grab me when I do. What should I do? Why do they yell at me when I am trying to be a good family member and protect my family?

Well, little sheltie, your parents love you but hate the sharp and sudden bark, even before they hear someone approaching. However, if your family would tell you and show you that they should answer the door and not you and that your place is to sit and wait for further instructions then you would be a happy dog.

Your family needs some training so that they can tell you how to behave. They are lovely people, right? Then let's ask them to ask a trainer to help only because you are like a child who is really bright and needs a tutor..