Barking (yes, I know...)

[Ann]

lol of course you can! What are they and do they work?

Bark collars are never a good idea for Shelties, because they're a sensitive breed and easily spooked. Most work by issuing a shock to the neck when the dog barks. While this may work on some breeds, a Sheltie reacts either with fear, or the opposite effect of barking more. I never recommend them for our breed.

 

[RikyR]

My wife came home last week with on of those hand held sonic barking devices. Told her It's not going to work. First time she used it, Zulu looked at her and tilted his head. That was it, returning it to the store!

 

[ttexan]

So many people feel bark collars are cruel. I find them useful and the occasional small shock does not injure but reminds. The one I have used gives a tone on the first bark so he is reminded that barking is not what his humans like. If he decides to continue, of course there is a small shock (adjustable). We only use it on occasion.

 

[Hanne]

I am so in agreement with Ann

These bark collars are banned in several countries
precisely because of it's animal cruelty.

 

[ttexan]

I figured I would start something by mentioning bark collars. I really question if they could be considered animal cruelty. I consider spike choke collars much worse and they are commonly used by Sheltie owners in training. Anything used to excess isn't good. Try the shock out on your own neck (I did). It gets your attention, but not much else. Put a spike collar on (I did not) and see if you like it better.

 

[Ann]

I figured I would start something by mentioning bark collars. I really question if they could be considered animal cruelty. I consider spike choke collars much worse and they are commonly used by Sheltie owners in training. Anything used to excess isn't good. Try the shock out on your own neck (I did). It gets your attention, but not much else. Put a spike collar on (I did not) and see if you like it better.

I don't know where spike collars are used on Shelties, but no one I know would ever train a Sheltie with one or consider it appropriate! If they're using them where you are, I'd run from that trainer fast! That is certainly animal cruelty, not to mention the worst possible way to "train" a Sheltie.

We all have to make our own training decisions, and I wouldn't criticize you for yours. As I said, bark collars are not something I would recommend for a Sheltie because of their temperament. But I'll refrain from trying it on me, thank you. My temperament isn't much better than my dogs...

 

[ttexan]

Ann, I agree completely about spike collars. I have not been actively involved in formal training for years and even then I only saw one when I first started to train my first Sheltie (50 +/- years ago in Houston). It was suggested I get one and try it. I did and used it only once - never again. I also lost all respect for that individual because of the way she treated her Shelties and ended up leaving that instructor for another who understood Shelties.

 

[ttexan]

Ann, I would be glad to loan you my bark collar in case you want to wrap it around your neck for the experience (or perhaps to prevent barking)........... OK, so my happy/funny faces appear to be inactive. Above is tongue-in-cheek...................

 

[Caro]

I do try really hard not to feed into the barking unless it is clearly in relation to a disrupter. For instance, a big noise outside that triggers barking gets a treat which helps calm when accompanied by a request to sit or down. Indiscriminate barking at me is the most challenging. If I can ignore it long enough, she will often give up but we live in a condo with neighbors and cannot just let her bark indefinitely. Just now, she was standing barking at me and I asked for a sit, which she did. What she wanted was up in my lap, but she couldn’t initiate that herself by putting a paw on my leg. Mindy is not a real confident pup and I think some of her barking is because she is unsure. An ongoing challenge, for sure.

Deska was an attention barker. No amount of withdrawing attention cured him! Sometimes he was bored and just felt like barking at something - just because he was a Sheltie and he could.
Be careful with the treats though. It doesn't take long for a Sheltie to work out they have to bark before the quiet to get a treat, so then they bark/quiet, bark/quiet. And that I learnt from experience.

If you think it's from confidence can you monitor what time of day it usually happens? This has been occuring with Della and the vet behaviourist suggested keeping a diary. I noticed she was worse before mealtimes and before something routine happens (like before the dog walker usually comes). I put on relaxation music at these times, it drowns outside noises and also calms the dogs too.

 

[DianeP]

Deska was an attention barker. No amount of withdrawing attention cured him! Sometimes he was bored and just felt like barking at something - just because he was a Sheltie and he could.
Be careful with the treats though. It doesn't take long for a Sheltie to work out they have to bark before the quiet to get a treat, so then they bark/quiet, bark/quiet. And that I learnt from experience.

If you think it's from confidence can you monitor what time of day it usually happens? This has been occuring with Della and the vet behaviourist suggested keeping a diary. I noticed she was worse before mealtimes and before something routine happens (like before the dog walker usually comes). I put on relaxation music at these times, it drowns outside noises and also calms the dogs too.

I actually do keep a log. One of her worst times is in the morning after her first time outside and after her breakfast when we want to sit down with coffee and check email, etc. I keep trying to figure out what about this time gets to her. Seems like she might be back chaining something but I don’t know what. She does better as soon as we get up and moving...a struggle on the days you want to lounge around.