How barky are your sheltie's

Mine bark at certain times...outside is a given as I’m on a corner lot and any movement will get barking. Inside depends on what’s going on. Doing anything food related (especially theirs) may get barking, if I put them into a down stay they’re quiet. If I try to kill a fly, open the blinds etc etc or even SAY the word fly will get barking. I have been working with my 3 year old Finnie on no bark and he’s about 50/50. I do find the more you have the more they bark lol.

 

Shelties bark?

Okay, joking aside, I have had the following breeds in my life.
German Shepherd
Irish Setter
Keeshond
Australian Shepherd
Standard Poodle
Shetland Sheepdog

Willow, my Sheltie, is by far the most frequent barker. It is controllable, mostly, with training. Shelties, at least mine, are pretty food focussed and smart which makes training pretty easy.

Your Sheltie will definitely bark, how often and how long will be a product of temperament and training. You will soon identify the triggers for your own Sheltie, which may be completely different from another Sheltie's triggers. They can be quite quirky.

If your tolerance for barking is low, I'd advise looking at other breeds. From my viewpoint as an owner of a lovely Sheltie, barking is a small price to pay for the joy she brings. She's smart, funny, loving, and yes, vocal about life.

 

In Spitfire's case barking means I am supposed to be doing something like a good servant.

The neighbors cattle dog barks more.

 

I have had some that were bigger barkers than others. Right now, Faith is my alarm dog. The chihuahua two doors down used to send her into a frenzy of return barking. That dog seems to be gone now, so it's a lot quieter. Elijah and Meadow bark less at things outside or in the house (vacuum excepted) but lots of enthusiastic barking while playing. I think some lines of dogs may be more barky, it would be a useful thing to ask the breeder. Living in a quieter area would be a real plus (and I'm envious!!!).

 

It depends.... Brodie is very quiet when he is sleeping.... unless he barks in his sleep, which he is known to do.

We do 'NO BARK' which works 50% of the time. He knows I am serious - I command it - hubby is softer and kinder so he gets ignored more. We live on an acre plot - we are made aware of all activity on and off our property. I had 3 kids in 4 years, the noise from the dog is better than the petty arguing of 3 kids IMO. I have the ability to drone things out. Hubby, who traveled a ton while the kids were growing up, does not have that skill so they can get on his nerves at times but even he is more annoyed at a certain squeeky ball than he is at the puppers.

Talk to me in a few months. We have an almost 15 week old sheltie pup. It should be fun. Brodie has already taught him to jump like a pogo stick when you come inside from going potty. It apparently results in treats or so I they believe.

 

Honey wasn't as much of a barker when we were in the apartment and I focused on correcting her. But in the house I got lax, and when we got Mango I gave up all together. Mango will bark at Honey if she is barking, and Honey will bark at all the mailmen and delivery drivers, and school buses, and they both bark at the birds. They also like to have barking competitions, I'm led to understand that this is more fun that playing with me, or toys or wrestling each other.

 

Are my shelties barky...hmmmm are they breathing? Then yes....
Benson isn't always barking, sometimes he is carrying on a conversation. He comes flying in the dog door, runs up to me and looks me in the eye and tells me what is going on that demands my urgent attention. The rest of the time he's barking...
Fillion and Koko only bark at stuff outside.

 

Yes, the breed is known for barking! However, they are so smart and can be trained with a NO BARK or QUIET command!

I have to say, with three, it is sometimes hard to make sure they ALL understand I mean it when I say it! Yep, sometimes I have to repeat myself!