neighboors complained, too much barking!

yep, pup needs attention... as it sounds, you already know if you out there with him he is fine...
Che is not much of the barker but then we always out there with him, we have no fenced yard and so we have no choice
also Che gets to go and see everything, for pooch park couple of times a day to play with playpal cousin Sammy so he is one busy boy, classes 3 times a week help too
while your ordinance might allow for barkers outside it is always a good idea to live peacefully with your neighbors, not that there is seems to be always ONE not nice one... we have one too that complaints about anything and everything but I believe police/ whatever else facilities are SOOO aware of him that it is no problem for rest of us....
 
Everyone has good suggestions. I wonder if you know which neighbors complained? It might not be worth it, but could you talk to the neighbors and tell them that Toby is just a puppy and that you are working on training him not to bark? It might at least buy you some time.
 
Question - are the children next door who might be teasing your puppy? We have had this in the past - the kids tease the dog to get them barking, then tell the dog to shut up or complain about the barking.
 
Ann said:
I would absolutely not use a shock collar of any kind on a four-month old puppy. I agree with Lightplum; they are not for Shelties.

I would try some of the methods to train him not to bark, or don't leave him outside alone. He's a puppy, and they will bark. It sounds like your neighbor is being unreasonable unless your pup is barking for long periods of time or late at night.

Check with your town's police department to find out if it has a noise ordinance. If you don't, and your neighbors call the police, they will be told there's nothing they can do. I know this from my town.
Click to expand...

I agree with ANN. You got one letter from one neighbor? SO what!! Tell the neighbor to kiss your A**!! IF I got a letter about barking I would pick up Snickers poop with it and put it on his/her porch.

The noise ordinance is the key.. as long as he isnt barking all day and especially at night.... there is not a damn thing anyone can do about it.

I agree with training .. but to debark or use a shock collar because of a letter is silly and dangerous. Talk to the local police or govt first:biggrin2:.
 
i have a sheltie mix and had a sheltie previously and they both barked a lot. i don't let him outside alone for liong, just enough to go potty, otherwise we are with her or he's inside with us. i thought about that bark off, don't know if it works. i'm not for the electric collars. they seem rather cruel to use.

might try also a tug of war toy. this works for bambi, it distracts her from what she is barking at and occupies her mouth.:o
 
you know we are having a roof put on and i thought bambi would just go bonkers from all the pounding and banging. lol she kept running to the door barking thinking someones was banging on the door but i told her now come here mama needs to sleep[ i worked the night before - night shift] and she just curled up in my arms and slept next to me all day. i was quite surprised, i thought i'd really have a big problem since she is so much of a barker.
 
Barking is definately an issue with our furkids. Some of us have better luck than others. Deja is by no means quiet but she doesn't bark without a reason (usually me playing with her) and so far noone has complained. She doesn't go outside without supervision. This is partially to reduce barking and partially to reduce digging (Darby = Digs like a maniac).

Before i started coming to this forum I was dead set against de-barking, mainly due to ignorance, but now if I had no other choice and I had tried everything possible to keep her quiet, I would consider it. I'm not sure I could go through with it but I have a lot more understanding and acceptance for those that do. I don't consider it cruel and unusual punishment anymore.

I wouldn't do the shock collar. Sorry, I'm not into that kind of thing. Our little darlings don't respond well to negative reinforcements.. Narmowen, I know that some people have used them successfully but from the vast mjority of folks that have tried them, they are a temporary fix at best and traumatize the dog at worst. From all that I have seen and heard, Shelties respond better though positive reinforcement.

Some of the ideas listed already are great! Don't let her out unsupervised. Try and figure out what she's barking at (this could be tough to do, dogs hear four times better than humans and their sense of smell is unreal!). Find out who is complaining and let them know that she is a puppy and you are taking her training seriously. Sometimes that is enough. I had a neighbor one time complain about a dog I had. She didn't like his barking etc.. I finally went and met the gal and brought the dog and once she saw that he was harmless and that I honestly didn't mean to bother her, she was great. She ended up becoming my dogs friend.. I never got along with her.. kind of snippy.. hehe.. but she never complained of his barking again..

Is the puppy in any type of training? How often do you take him/her for walks? Have you let your dog explore the neigborhood (on leash with you there and don't tresspass..you in jail won't help the pup!)
 
we take Toby on at least 2 walks per day, but rain and bad weather we have had in california sometimes reduces that. Just to let you guys know, we are now only going out with Toby supervised, never alone, and we are not fencing the room, he is free to wander around the house. Sure he's had a few accidents, but oh well. He is doing surprisingly well today, veryyy little barking, and we are not even considering de-bark or shock collar

And for the record, since i see so much negative feedback on the shock collar, please have no hate on me, i was only asking for experience and suggestions for ALL the options i could think of so thank you!!
 
skstylez said:
And for the record, since i see so much negative feedback on the shock collar, please have no hate on me, i was only asking for experience and suggestions for ALL the options i could think of so thank you!!
Click to expand...

Gosh, dont worry about it. Its always a good idea to get feedback on your ideas, no one meant to be negative. I for one have seen the consequences of harsh methods on a sheltie to correct behaviour (through a behaviourist) so dont want to see someone else go through the same.:sadsmile:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top