neighboors complained, too much barking!

[Noneeds4me]

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.

Just want to add that I have a friend whose dog got poisoned(& died) by a neighbor because of barking. Even if the police tell them there's nothing they can do...that only reflects to the "legal" aspect. I'd be leary about what ELSE they might do.

Is he left outside unattended? Maybe some obedience training will help. He is very young and very trainable too..no doubt. I also live in California. I know they do have "Barking Dog Ordinances." Debarking is common here. Our breeder does it too. However, I would not have it done this young and without trying other things first. Maybe having a talk with the neighbors you think are bothered might help to calm the waters until your babe grows up a bit as well as giving you time to work with him on the "no bark" command?

 

[Noneeds4me]

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!!

YEA Toby!! Progress already. That's a sheltie for ya ;-)... Being summer is around the corner, maybe that will help with being able to get outdoors with him. Afterall, a tired puppy is a GOOD puppy!

 

[Strider]

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!!

Good for you! form good habits that he can rely on and you'll continue to see improvement. I hope my comments earlier did not offend you. We all just give our opinion and try to be there to help. The negative response from me was meant as a cautionary tale, not meant to offend,

 

[Caro]

Just want to add that I have a friend whose dog got poisoned(& died) by a neighbor because of barking. Even if the police tell them there's nothing they can do...that only reflects to the "legal" aspect. I'd be leary about what ELSE they might do.

yes this happened to my sheltie some years ago (altho he was visiting the breeder when her neighbour put poison over the fence). That's why my dogs can't get to the fence, in case someone throws something over. Problem is some people just hate dogs - doesnt matter if they only bark a little. And we got no warning before the poisoning, he just went and did it. But that doesnt happen a lot.

 

[Abby's Dad]

My late sheltie did the exact same thing when she was that age. Every time we went out bark, bark, bark.....then about 10 months old she stopped when she realized there was nothing she was barking at!

 

[Herd4fun]

Debarking is a good LAST step-if all other training methods have failed.

An electric no-bark collar shouldn't be used unless you are there to supervise.

Try the citronella no bark collar.

Citranella doesnt work either, try using an ultrasonic one. You can even get ones that look like bird houses you can put in your back yard. They run off of 9 volt batteries so you don't have to even put anything on the dog.

 

[Herd4fun]

yes this happened to my sheltie some years ago (altho he was visiting the breeder when her neighbour put poison over the fence). That's why my dogs can't get to the fence, in case someone throws something over. Problem is some people just hate dogs - doesnt matter if they only bark a little. And we got no warning before the poisoning, he just went and did it. But that doesnt happen a lot.

Do you know who did it? I'd threaten them with a civil lawsuit for an attempt to destroy your property. Then I'd get some grass killer and go destroy his lawn. But them I'm vindictive.

 

[lukabear]

I'm still reading through the thread, so I don't know if this has been mentioned...
But when he's outside barking, just promptly bring him back in - no words, no anger. After he's been inside for a little while and calmed down, let him back out.

Shelties are very intelligent and it shouldn't take long for him to clue in that barking = no outside, calmness = outside.

Praise him for being calm when he's outside.

After working with rescues, I would personally never use a citronella or a shock collar on a dog - not even on the lowest setting. It fosters fear and there are much more humane (and effective) ways to train. Positive reinforcement works wonders.

 

[lukabear]

Citranella doesnt work either, try using an ultrasonic one. You can even get ones that look like bird houses you can put in your back yard. They run off of 9 volt batteries so you don't have to even put anything on the dog.

I've seen those completely deter dogs from even going into their OWN backyard.

 

[Noneeds4me]

Citranella doesnt work either, try using an ultrasonic one. You can even get ones that look like bird houses you can put in your back yard. They run off of 9 volt batteries so you don't have to even put anything on the dog.

Wow....that's what I need in my yard. Might even keep the opposums at bay. Any idea of where to get one that looks like a birdhouse? I'd like to put one near a bush that our boys are always jumping/barking at when the opposums have been around. Might deter them from that spot?