Barking SOOO much!

[Megansmom]

Haha, it is funny, it would definately be an instant distraction! Tonight I am trying the method of getting her attention when she barks, putting my index finger to my mouth and giving a firm, HUSH or QUIET. I have had to repeat it a few times, but I think she'll catch on pretty quickly, hopefully

 

[kstraub73]

When Dakota was young, we'd use a pop can filled with coins and it would distract him long enough.. not sure if ever really stopped his barking, and we must have given up... I like the air horn idea, or a whistle maybe. Dakota barks at the mailman, the doorbell, the UPS truck, etc. He even, in his younger days, went running up the street towards the UPS truck barking at it - I don't think the UPS truck cared and totally would have hit him, had my husband not gone out there and waved him down to stop! He's much more well trained now and we just make him sit when a car or truck comes down our street.

Speaking of cars... Dakota on his walks also does crazy 360s whenever a car goes by... the dog is a nut! I'm sure the people in the car always get a good kick out of it wondering what the heck is wrong with that dog.

 

[Raya]

might be careful when using waterguns though. It could end up exciting her more and make her bark even more.

Zoey's a big barker herself, but when we shake the treats out, she usually goes dead quiet (unless she's getting impatient). We've taught her to bark on command, then being quiet. The quiet part is still a work in progress, but it's improving. Hope that helps :/

 

[Cedarsmom]

I wonder if some Shelties are more prone to barking than others. Mine will bark but not excessively. What does set him off is a back up alarm,even if it's on TV. He barks and spins until it stops. But if we're outside playing and I've had enough of his yapper , I very calmly say "No bark", and for some reason it works.

 

[Justicemom]

I wonder if some Shelties are more prone to barking than others. Mine will bark but not excessively. What does set him off is a back up alarm,even if it's on TV. He barks and spins until it stops. But if we're outside playing and I've had enough of his yapper , I very calmly say "No bark", and for some reason it works.

No doubt. Ember is a big mouth. She likes to bark at everything. Like imaginary leaves offing off the tree. My other 2 are more quiet. In fact, I went on my first trip with Diva alone. 3 days not 1 peep, even with kids running up and down the hallway of the hotel. If that had been Ember, I would have had to tape her mouth shut. Back at home with Ember's Influence Diva is back to her barking ways.

 

[MissSuzie]

No doubt. Ember is a big mouth. She likes to bark at everything. Like imaginary leaves offing off the tree. My other 2 are more quiet. In fact, I went on my first trip with Diva alone. 3 days not 1 peep, even with kids running up and down the hallway of the hotel. If that had been Ember, I would have had to tape her mouth shut. Back at home with Ember's Influence Diva is back to her barking ways.

Dr. Shelli, Meggie definitely barked more when we were at Dad's with her BFF Lucy. Lucy barked constantly. Meggie would join in. Now that we back home and alone again, she doesn't bark nearly as much. Monkey see, Monkey do???

 

[Caro]

Dr. Shelli, Meggie definitely barked more when we were at Dad's with her BFF Lucy. Lucy barked constantly. Meggie would join in. Now that we back home and alone again, she doesn't bark nearly as much. Monkey see, Monkey do???

Yep, I agree with that. Deska didnt make a whisper until I got Tully and she learnt to bark. Now he tries to outbark her and the lab next door!

I can tell you what I do, although having spent considerable $$ at a behaviourist, the body corp cow still complains.
- ultrasonic bark collars. Doesnt stop the barking completely but they give up after a few barks. The beeping sound does get annoying for them. Deska usually doesnt bother going outside with the collar on.
- limiting access in the backyard. I have a makeshift dog run so they can't access the fence line. it limits what they bark at (and keeps them safe). The behaviourist said they dont really need access to much yard if they are walked regularly.
- whistling them back inside as soon as they bark. They usually come inside pretty quickly when I whistle, but since the complaint I have instituted a new strategy - whichever pup gets inside quickest gets the treat! Competition is building.
- If they are barking at something (the magpies love to swoop and tease them in the yard) I go outside and acknowledge their barking then bring them inside. Doesnt always work for Tully but Deska likes to pretend he is helping mum.
- one thing on the coins in an can. Deska thinks its fun to bark at the can so its not a long term remedy.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

air horn

Hmm...not a bad idea, I might just do that. I was planning on buying one this summer to drown out my neighbor who constantly screams at her kids.

 

[Megansmom]

So far I have been putting my index finger to my mouth and shhshing her, and it's getting a little better. It is a lot of work though, slowly but surely she is getting it..

 

[mbfrench]

So far I have been putting my index finger to my mouth and shhshing her, and it's getting a little better. It is a lot of work though, slowly but surely she is getting it..

I was wondering how things were going~ I'm glad she's getting it.