Debarked Dogs

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I think you got my Danny confused with Buddy. Just reading that sent a chill down my spine. We would never get rid of Danny. Never ever. I agree with you. California is experiencing a crisis in pet surrenders. I am in contact with people out there and they are so saddened by what is going on. That's why I posted about the sheltie out there (got rescued today). I would debark Buddy if need be it could save his life.

Sorry yes I did get the two confused!!! Sorry!
 
As somebody who would someday like to have another Sheltie, all of this talk about excessive barking is discouraging.

My (deceased) Sheltieboy wasn't like that at all. He enjoyed barking, but did so in moderation, and always quieted down when I told him to. He had a pleasant sounding voice too.

I hope you don't let this discourage you. We have a barker, Casey. My husband taught him, "Shut up, Casey," long before we met. And when Casey gets too loud, we either say it, or use the hand signal and Casey stops barking. Bonnie is now deaf and doesn't bark. Annabelle only barks when she has a reason (or she sees a squirrel). Mom's dog Murray doesn't bark either. And even when Annabelle is trying to get the squirrel, if we say, Settle, she stops.
 
When Brodie was still alive I lived in an apartment. I came home one day and there was a notice that if my dog didn't stop barking they would invoke clause whatever and come into the apartment and take the dog to the pound. I was devastated and tried to find a vet to de-bark him. There were none that would. I called the apartment complex to explain to them that I couldn't find a vet to de-bark him. They were aghast that I would consider it. I was in the hallway sobbing and a neighbor saw me. Turns out a downstairs neighbor was actually complaining about the lab puppy across the hallway. He called the management and gave them heck. They tried to say sound travels funny. He yelled back that if they'd ever heard my dog bark they would never say it was a lab bark. He also mentioned that Brodie was taken care of and loved by all of the neighbors and the lab puppy was nothing but a nuisance. But I did crate Brodie until we moved out of that place.

Now, I live next to an empty lot (well, it has Norm's garden), Molly the yorkie and her owners who love our dogs, a German Shepherd that is outside all of the time and barks non-stop, and another sheltie. (Yes we converted Mandy's owner to sheltiedom- kinda proud of us for that.) I try to not let the dogs bark too long, but if we're outside with them, they don't bark.
 
Debarked

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What I'm trying to say is there are ways to prevent their barking if you know what sets them off. If looking out the window makes them bark, then block their access to the window like I did. If he barks when you play, then end his play sessions and start playing when he is quiet. He'll figure it out sooner than you think.

This is not true for all dogs.I tried everything you said and nothing worked with Sting.I had my neighbor complaining and animal control on my door step.I know I wasn't going to use a shock collar or choke,prong collar or give my dog up to rescue so I did the next best thing and debarked him.Now I am happy but most of all my neighbors are.I have the best behaved dogs in the world but when it comes to barking they just dont get it and I trianed.:winkgrin:
 
I guess I didn't explain myself very well. I would definitely get Buddy debarked before giving him up. His barking is not too bad where we are now. I guess I'm just nervous about the move and what will happen with him. Thanks for the idea to tape a sheet halfway up the window...that will definitely work for Buddy. He easily stops barking when I tell him "Quiet", I just wish he could keep playing and running afterward. It seems he doesn't know how to play without barking. Thanks for all the good advice.

Dayle
 
I guess I didn't explain myself very well. I would definitely get Buddy debarked before giving him up. His barking is not too bad where we are now. I guess I'm just nervous about the move and what will happen with him. Thanks for the idea to tape a sheet halfway up the window...that will definitely work for Buddy. He easily stops barking when I tell him "Quiet", I just wish he could keep playing and running afterward. It seems he doesn't know how to play without barking. Thanks for all the good advice.

Dayle

I know how you feel as Revel is exactly the same. We can muffle the sound a bit though as he will hold something in his mouth and bark round it! I've often heard it said that shelties mouths are connected with their legs:wink2: Yogi almost never barks while playing but he is a rather reactive barker towards other dogs and people, especially when out and this is an issue.

On debarking, it is not done in the UK so culturally we tend to view the proceedure with considerable horror. However, after reading some of the posts when the subject was discussed on this forum a while back, I changed my mind and can see there is a place for it. Certainly if I was in a position of losing home or dogs that could be resolved through debarking, I wouldn't hesitate. I do also use the citronalla anti bark collars too as I think they can have their uses under certain circumstances. I love everything about shelties bar the barking and virtually without exception I think the more you have, the worse it becomes as they will set each other off. Mine bark at different things - Revel due to excitement and Yogi at other dogs and I can control it to an extent but I think if you have shelties you must be prepared for a certain amount of barking that you wouldn't get with something like a spaniel. However, when I go to shows, there is acatually very little noise from the sheltie benches whereas the siberian huskies and samoyeds bark continously. I would find this very aggrivating indeed! The thing with shelties is they tend to bark at something - remove the trigger and the barking stops quickly. The are not usually the type of dog that will bark out of boredom or because it likes the sound of its own voice so it is possible to regulate the barking if you can control the triggers - ie by closing the blinds so they don't see the people walking past and playing the radio so that outside noises are not so obvious. I find this works really well.
 
When Brodie was still alive I lived in an apartment. I came home one day and there was a notice that if my dog didn't stop barking they would invoke clause whatever and come into the apartment and take the dog to the pound.

Oh my that gave me chills. They threatened to come inside your apartment and take your dog???? Please tell me that isn't true, can't possibly be legal in any state.:(

We've got 2 shelties, & Roxie tends to set Forrest off then once he gets stared barking she walks away. :rolleyes2:

Living in a high crime area, I like having barking dogs. I was thinking recently that if we were to crate ours, the barking would cut down a lot. But we want them to bark, esp. Forrest, he flies around the windows like a lunatic, he does scare people. He's a big boy, and has a nice deep bark. If people knew that he's a big sissy!

If we had complaints where we were in jeopardy of losing our dogs, I'd def. consider de-barking. I knew a doberman that was de-barked, he had a very soft hoarse bark.
 
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I was in my last apartment for 5 years and Chandler was the King of Barkers. You may try what I have always done, when you move in introduce yourself to your neighbors, tell them you have a Sheltie that tends to bark at times and if it gets to them to please let you know. I did this with each new person that moved in and never had a complaint. I think they respect your honesty and after that would feel bad going to management if it did get to them and if needed would come to you first. It also helps if you can offer them help in some way. If you walk their dog when they are stuck late at work they aren't going to report your dog for barking, make your best cookie recipe and send them a plate etc.

In other words kill your neighbors with kindness, who is going to report the nice lady down the hall just because her dog barks and NEVER complain about a neighbor than you open yourself up for complaints about the barking.
 
I was thinking along those lines too. Introducing yourself and your dog to the neighbors and being the nicest, most helpful, friendly neighbor they ever met. People that like you will not be bothered as much by your barking sheltie as compared to one they don't know much of and isn't so friendly. Include them in your worries and concerns about your sheltie and ask their advice.
 
Thanks so much, everybody! I will be doing everything you suggested. I think I'm just a worrywart! :o Happy New Year!!!

Dayle
 
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