need guidance
- Thread starter robbie2
- Start date
Hello and welcome to our forum! Have you owned a sheltie before? Sonds like you have a very normal sheltie! Shelites are known to be 'barkers' unfortunately and they like to herd, including cars (not that that is acceptable - my Maia does it too! 
)
I cannot help you with the barking, some people have tried to teach them to bark on command, and that way they say it is easier to teach them to be quiet. I have not tried that with mine.
As far as the lunging after cars goes, you can do a search on this forum for those theads, and there are many, as this is a common question. I use a snoot loop and that has helped me a ton! It does take time and patience. I make sure I reward Maia everytime she does not lunge for a car. I also try to distract her by having her do something else instead, like sit, or down. That does not always work, and that is why I always walk her on the snoot loop, to give me head control. Good luck!
oh, we LOVE pictures!!!
) I cannot help you with the barking, some people have tried to teach them to bark on command, and that way they say it is easier to teach them to be quiet. I have not tried that with mine.
As far as the lunging after cars goes, you can do a search on this forum for those theads, and there are many, as this is a common question. I use a snoot loop and that has helped me a ton! It does take time and patience. I make sure I reward Maia everytime she does not lunge for a car. I also try to distract her by having her do something else instead, like sit, or down. That does not always work, and that is why I always walk her on the snoot loop, to give me head control. Good luck!
oh, we LOVE pictures!!!
Caro
Moderator
Hi Robbie
Ania is absolutely right, it can be a sheltie thing - even a herding dog thing. Its the way herding dogs visualise things, they see moving objects better than stationary ones, and of course with the herding instinct they get excited when things move awy from them (one of my dogs even tries to herd cars).
Robbie is an adolescent so will be a little bit crazy for a while But he will start settling at about 18mths. But that is a great sign he is being silly around you because he obviously feels happy and comfortable with you, and that is great for a sheltie rescue.
And I agree with Ania - a gentle leader or halti collar (or snoot loop - lol havent heard it called that) gives you control over the dogs head. I used it with my female when she barked and lunged at cars on walks. You can pull their head away when they look at the car or go to bark. Lots of people use them. It takes a little while for the dog to get used to them, but they are worth the effort.
Also, do you take treats or a squeaky toy and get the dog to focus on you when a car goes past (teach the "look at me" command) and when the dog does focus on you and not bark at the car reward him.
Sounds like you are doing great. Sheltie can be a little crazy when they are young - your Robbie is probably a bit of a clown. Enjoy, I know with mine they act a little silly sometimes just because they want to make me smile.
Ania is absolutely right, it can be a sheltie thing - even a herding dog thing. Its the way herding dogs visualise things, they see moving objects better than stationary ones, and of course with the herding instinct they get excited when things move awy from them (one of my dogs even tries to herd cars).
Robbie is an adolescent so will be a little bit crazy for a while But he will start settling at about 18mths. But that is a great sign he is being silly around you because he obviously feels happy and comfortable with you, and that is great for a sheltie rescue.
And I agree with Ania - a gentle leader or halti collar (or snoot loop - lol havent heard it called that) gives you control over the dogs head. I used it with my female when she barked and lunged at cars on walks. You can pull their head away when they look at the car or go to bark. Lots of people use them. It takes a little while for the dog to get used to them, but they are worth the effort.
Also, do you take treats or a squeaky toy and get the dog to focus on you when a car goes past (teach the "look at me" command) and when the dog does focus on you and not bark at the car reward him.
Sounds like you are doing great. Sheltie can be a little crazy when they are young - your Robbie is probably a bit of a clown. Enjoy, I know with mine they act a little silly sometimes just because they want to make me smile.
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
awwww another car chaser 
Robbie sounds adorable to me already
Welcome!
People will NOT agree with me BUT here is what I found has helped me get control over Toffee's 18wheeler chasing issues...
I felt that I could NOT 100% ensure I could get him to NOT to chase cars, since I believe it to be the strong herding instinct issue more than disobedience issues... So I turned it into a rewards based behaviour... I taught him to LEAVE IT... and a WAIT command... so now in the dogpark he is allowed to chase the 18wheelers along the fence (dogpark is near the container loading harbour) BUT ONLY if he looks at me and asks for permission... I say WAIT... and then I release and say OK, GO...
That chase THEN really IS the highlight of his life! lol I call him off with a whistle, he turns on a dime and comes RUNNING towards me like a bullet EVERYTIME, because he knows if he is good, he is allowed to chase the next loud 18 wheeler that comes near the dogpark fence...
If you need help on getting control during onleash I can recommend a clicker or the clickerleash as discussed in the equipment section, maybe... as well as the gentle leader... Something will work for you and Robbie
Robbie sounds adorable to me already
Welcome!People will NOT agree with me BUT here is what I found has helped me get control over Toffee's 18wheeler chasing issues...
I felt that I could NOT 100% ensure I could get him to NOT to chase cars, since I believe it to be the strong herding instinct issue more than disobedience issues... So I turned it into a rewards based behaviour... I taught him to LEAVE IT... and a WAIT command... so now in the dogpark he is allowed to chase the 18wheelers along the fence (dogpark is near the container loading harbour) BUT ONLY if he looks at me and asks for permission... I say WAIT... and then I release and say OK, GO...
That chase THEN really IS the highlight of his life! lol I call him off with a whistle, he turns on a dime and comes RUNNING towards me like a bullet EVERYTIME, because he knows if he is good, he is allowed to chase the next loud 18 wheeler that comes near the dogpark fence...
If you need help on getting control during onleash I can recommend a clicker or the clickerleash as discussed in the equipment section, maybe... as well as the gentle leader... Something will work for you and Robbie
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Toffee's Mom
I totally agree with your technique.
I taught my boys "leave it" early on. They know that regardless of whether it's tasty garbage or another dog or another human being, they are to stop and drop.
It does't always work when they are off leash, but is totally reliable on leash!
To train "leave it" for an outside distraction, it helps to have a helper.
Put your dog on leash. Have your helper with some really enticing goody to entice your pet. Your helper should be waving and doing whatever he can to distract your pup. When pup is distracted, tell him to Leave It, keep on walking, even if it means dragging pup a little. Keep your eye on his eyes. As soon as he looks back at you and he will eventually, praise (or click) and treat
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Eventually he'll get it
Leave it works in concert with the Look command. Look at me and you'll get praise.
I totally agree with your technique.
I taught my boys "leave it" early on. They know that regardless of whether it's tasty garbage or another dog or another human being, they are to stop and drop.
It does't always work when they are off leash, but is totally reliable on leash!
To train "leave it" for an outside distraction, it helps to have a helper.
Put your dog on leash. Have your helper with some really enticing goody to entice your pet. Your helper should be waving and doing whatever he can to distract your pup. When pup is distracted, tell him to Leave It, keep on walking, even if it means dragging pup a little. Keep your eye on his eyes. As soon as he looks back at you and he will eventually, praise (or click) and treat
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Eventually he'll get it
Leave it works in concert with the Look command. Look at me and you'll get praise.