Hi there and welcome.
I agree, 3 minutes is a loooooong time in a puppy's mind. Holding a puppy is questionable as well, in my opinion. Using dominance control is a slippery slope to major problems and behavioral issues. And barking is not a dominance thing. With Ranger, it is just a sheltie thing. SHELTIES LIKE TO BARK!
Everyone gave good advice. We use the ignore treatment for barking; however, we also use a reverse training with barking. We teach our pups to bark on command early on (I know, I know, risky in a sheltie) and then we teach the "No Bark" command. During your daily training time (no children present) teach "Bark." When Ranger's got that command (won't take long, I promise), then teach the reverse: "No Bark." Later when the children are playing, an adult watches Ranger and rewards for "bark and no bark." Train everyday! (I know the time is a huge factor, but if you take the time now, you will have it at least controlable for later in life)
All that being said, this is so much easier to write than it is in reality. I will be honest, I never did get complete control of Cleveland's barking. I had teenagers when he was young, so there were times when the bad teenagers were at home alone with Cleveland and without me and were teaching him BAD tricks.
I think with little kids, you could have more control.
Good luck, keep us posted of how things are going and remember, with time, patience and consistency anything can be taught to any dog, and a sheltie is one of the smartest breeds.
Again welcome!
I agree, 3 minutes is a loooooong time in a puppy's mind. Holding a puppy is questionable as well, in my opinion. Using dominance control is a slippery slope to major problems and behavioral issues. And barking is not a dominance thing. With Ranger, it is just a sheltie thing. SHELTIES LIKE TO BARK!
Everyone gave good advice. We use the ignore treatment for barking; however, we also use a reverse training with barking. We teach our pups to bark on command early on (I know, I know, risky in a sheltie) and then we teach the "No Bark" command. During your daily training time (no children present) teach "Bark." When Ranger's got that command (won't take long, I promise), then teach the reverse: "No Bark." Later when the children are playing, an adult watches Ranger and rewards for "bark and no bark." Train everyday! (I know the time is a huge factor, but if you take the time now, you will have it at least controlable for later in life)
All that being said, this is so much easier to write than it is in reality. I will be honest, I never did get complete control of Cleveland's barking. I had teenagers when he was young, so there were times when the bad teenagers were at home alone with Cleveland and without me and were teaching him BAD tricks.
I think with little kids, you could have more control.Good luck, keep us posted of how things are going and remember, with time, patience and consistency anything can be taught to any dog, and a sheltie is one of the smartest breeds.
Again welcome!
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