My wife bought a "voice softened" sheltie

Sharon7 said:
One thing caught my eye about your latest post though, is having your brand-new Sheltie off leash - please see today's SN picture and post about dogs getting away from their owners. I would not have Sara off leash in any place other than a fenced in yard, at least for a good long while.
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In all the pictures and video, Sara is on our property.
 
walloongirl said:
My little bi black Beetle Bug is debarked and came from a breeder at 1 year old. We never would have done this to her, feel it is dangerous for her. We have twice "lost" her around the house. She went into another room and the garage, and we shut the door behind her. She was barking so loud in her little voice, but we couldn't hear her. We fear she could be hurt or in trouble and can't call us.
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This is my biggest concern. Our house and property are not that big, but it could be an issue.
 
Welcome! I also have two bark-softened Shelties, a brother/sister pair who were their breeder's show prospects. One, my little boy Edan, has one heck of a bark on him even after the softening. His bark is such that you can only tell he's been softened when he's around other Shelties. His sister, CJ, still has a quiet bark but it's still very audible - definitely loud enough to wake us out of a sound sleep if she wants to go out.

Would I have the process done if they came to be with full voice? I don't know, honestly; it would depend on the circumstances. I would DEFINITELY do it if I was at risk of loosing the dog(s) due to noise complaints.
 
Sara is a beauty! Skyla can get quite barky when the neighborhood dogs start barking - I tell her to take her bark outside or "quiet in the house", she's learning! We'll be moving (possibly) to an apartment or town home soon, we'll see how she does with that. She doesnt seem to bark at anything other than other dogs being barky. Sara looks super sweet and Im glad to hear she has a loving home with you!
 
BarbV said:
I got my Indy when he was 10 months old....he was already debarked. While he was clearly well socialized, he was a breeder's dog. I think he got limited one on one training...hence the debarking, I'm guessing.

3++ years later, his bark has come back (and now I know why he was debarked in the first place! :eek2:). My other Sheltie, Bacca is not a barker, but has been known to chime in when Indy gets going.

Would I consider debarking again? Yes. If I had run out of all other options, and only if it became an issue with my neighbours or by-law, and perhaps lose my dog as result.

Otherwise, I will continue to try to train him. Maybe someday, I can get him to not bark at everything! :fl Only trespassers of the human kind would be nice! Not other dogs, squirrels, birds,
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I have one of Indy's siblings, and she still has her "soft bark " at this point .... We are used to her quieter bark... I don't even notice it now ...others do ...who haven't been around her .. She sounded like a cartoon to me at tfirst. Sometimes Treesa sounds quite "loud" when she gets going .... not a problem with us or her in any way ...
By the way welcome to Sheltie Nation !:biggrin2:
 
Beautiful girl! Until I read your thread I had never heard of debarking. I don't know anything about show dogs, agility dogs, or breeding......just love the 2 I have had as pets/family members. I can see where a softer bark would be desirable though, especially if living in an apt or condo.
 
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