Barking at visitors

[labgirl]

Now I know as a herding/guarding breed shelties should bark at strangers and I don't mind an 'there's someone here' bark, but Merlin just doesn't stop. Even after the person is in the house and is clearly welcome, he just goes on and on and on.

I've tried ignoring him; making a big fuss of the guest; commanding him to 'stop' (doesn't work); and occasionally gotten cross and told him off (I know, not helpful).

Nothing is working, I just can't get him to shut up. At the same time he wags his tail at the person.

Can you give me some ideas please?

 

[seashel]

Ahh - the classic sheltie issue! I was concerned how mine would take to unknown visitors pre the arrival of Jessica. I found that initially shutting them either in their crates (with dinners or a lasting treat) would distract them from the initial stage of getting the person in through the door. Then when everyone was settled and seated they were let out and after a few barks they were fine. It seems to be movements like standing up or walking around which triggers the response. Epic was fine when we had a guy come to service the Dyson as he spend most of the time on the floor but whenever he stood up there was a volley of barking. I've noticed this with other shelties too. So providing you have some warning of an arrival, you have a chance to distract him with something.

However, if there is an unexpected caller then this is harder - once they have gone into barking mode it becomes far more difficult to distract them or interrupt the barking - especially with multiple shelties all feeding off each others' reactions. I had to disable the doorbell as that drove Revel into a fenzy, far more so than knocking. (Strangely although Yogi is very reactive when out, he almost never barks at visitors to the house - that is Revel's job...with Epic as his apprentice!)

Once they've calmed down there is often an occasional bark or muttered 'ooof' which I accept, but the 'alert' barking generally doesn't last that long. Our Merlin is different though and does continue to bark on and off throughout the stay with the 'alert' bark.

I know the technique often suggested is to desensitise with a 'visitor' gradually introduced with the aid of treats and a send to bed command. I've never tried it as it hasn't been necessary but the hardest thing with methods like this is you have to find someone willing to give up a large chunk of time to continously play the 'visitor' and this has to be someone the dog doesn't know. As the people I know who would be willing to paticipate are all dog owning friends and well known to my shelties I would struggle with this.

 

[labgirl]

It seems to be movements like standing up or walking around which triggers the response

Exactly! Just when I think all is calm someone needs to go to the toilet and it starts again.

I've thought about the desensitising with a 'stooge' but as you say it is difficult to find a suitable person, besides once he gets to know someone he doesn't bark anymore.

I may have to work on distraction more. He does like food and seems more accepting of people who offer him a special treat, like a piece of bread or crisps.

Perhaps I will just have to get used to putting him in the kitchen when a guest arrives.

 

[BarbV]

This is definitely my life, and I have thought about the de-sensitizing but haven't taken the time to do it. I bad!

I know I have to but there never seems to be a good time to start the process.

It seems to be that once I start, I have to be 100% focussed on success, else its a waste of time. So I keep putting it off.

So, for an easy way out, I've been looking at this product......

http://www.petsafe.net/intl/ca/products/bark-control/ultrasonic-and-sonic/ultrasonic-bark-control

They also have an outdoor version that I'm considering for Indy's outdoor barking......

Has anyone tried ultrasonic devices on Shelties????
H

 

[lovemyshelties]

Hubby and I have three Shelties and when one starts they all bark. I wish I could hand you the magic solution (or bottle and sell it and make a mint!), but alas I don't have a clue. Two of them settle down fairly quickly, but our newest adoptee (whom we've had for 16 months) gets spooked by some of our friends, especially if they move too fast or (during Raven's games) jump up to scream at the TV!

If it's becoming worse, I would consult a qualified trainer.

 

[Danny's mommy]

Danny Boy barks when people come into my house too or are out and about in the yard. I tell them not to look at him or acknowledge him in any way even turning back to him and he shuts up eventually. He even approaches the people who totally ignore him. But when they start to leave he sometimes barks again.

 

[labgirl]

At least I know I am not alone. I can see how the ultra-sonic thing would work, but it would also punish Cadbury for not barking. Besides my siamese is very sensitive to noise and I think it would cause her a great deal of distress.

I do try and tell people to ignore him because that has worked in the past, but do they listen? Nope! They keep trying to call him or approach him, I have even stepped in front of people before now. Why don't people listen? Is it so hard to ignore the dog?

I shall speak with my trainer on Wednesday and see what she thinks. But I am relieved I asked and that this isn't just Merlin, but a sheltie thing. Thank you all.

 

[SheepOfBlue]

Yes it is that hard to ignore dogs There was a white puppy at the races who was loose (something that they should NOT have done despite him being well behaved) Well he had to come over and visit me and of course I had to pet him. He then decided I was more fun and wanted to stay. Eventually they had to come get him, he also kept looking over and wagging when he passed by from then on.

 

[Sharon7]

Oh yes, this is an issue at our house as well. I have even tried to gently hold Asta's mouth closed while saying "No barking" but it just doesn't seem to work. If we know someone is coming we open the front door early and if they rush out to meet and greet, there is much less barking. But if the knock on the door is unexpected, all hell breaks loose.

Once every one is here and they have greeted the dogs, they shut up. However, Ally will do her "I'm a guard dog" bark when people leave the table and go to the bathroom and return. Good grief. They've been here for hours but let them leave her sight and reappear.....

So hard to modify a behavior if you can't catch it every single time.