They're Barking Fools!
- Thread starter Smudge
- Start date
take4roll10
Moderator
I really want another sheltie, but barking is the reason why I'm waiting until I have my own house. I don't want to get kicked out of my apartment because my dogs won't stop barking.I know Bailey alone will not cause a problem. She mainly barks when she wants something or wants to play.
I do not give Bailey what she wants until she stops barking or jumping. If I'm preparing her food and she starts to jump or bark, I immediately stop, stay still and wait for her to stop. Once, she calms down, I continue to prepare her food. She has caught on. She will bark once and as soon as I stop, she stops and then sits and waits.
Same with crating. When I come home from work, she used to go crazy in her crate. Barking and spinning. I waited until she calmed down to let her out. It only too a few days and now she waits calmly until I let her out.
They catch on very fast!
It's possible that they are not tired when you crate them. Some exercise before bed might help. You can also try teaching them the term "crate". When you say "crate", they go inside on their own and get a treat or raw hide. Bailey has learned that when I say "crate" she runs right inside her crate, gets a treat and then lays down. She's so excited when I say 'crate" because that means she gets a reward. They'll start to look forward to being in their crate.
You can also try teaching them "enough". When I say "enough" in a stern voice, that means stop whatever you are doing. Bailey doesn't respond to this 100% yet, but when she ears my stern voice, she knows I'm pissed and will be a good girl.
I do not give Bailey what she wants until she stops barking or jumping. If I'm preparing her food and she starts to jump or bark, I immediately stop, stay still and wait for her to stop. Once, she calms down, I continue to prepare her food. She has caught on. She will bark once and as soon as I stop, she stops and then sits and waits.
Same with crating. When I come home from work, she used to go crazy in her crate. Barking and spinning. I waited until she calmed down to let her out. It only too a few days and now she waits calmly until I let her out.
They catch on very fast!
It's possible that they are not tired when you crate them. Some exercise before bed might help. You can also try teaching them the term "crate". When you say "crate", they go inside on their own and get a treat or raw hide. Bailey has learned that when I say "crate" she runs right inside her crate, gets a treat and then lays down. She's so excited when I say 'crate" because that means she gets a reward. They'll start to look forward to being in their crate.
You can also try teaching them "enough". When I say "enough" in a stern voice, that means stop whatever you are doing. Bailey doesn't respond to this 100% yet, but when she ears my stern voice, she knows I'm pissed and will be a good girl.
corbinam
Moderator
I am glad to hear that! I've started doing this with Lexi. I've had to let her out of crate when she is quiet for about 30 seconds. If I waited until she was quiet for 5 minutes, I think it might be bedtime
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
I have had great sucess with the squirt bottle. Don't say anything and don't look at them. When they start barking, causally squirt them,it should startle them and they should stop barking. Praise, good quiet.
Also, remember if they are being quiet in the kennels to praise that behavior, so often we forget to praise the behaviors we want.
I would revisit how much exercise they are getting. Sheltie puppies have boundless energy and they maybe too excited to settle down and need more than they are getting. Also make sure you or anyone in the house is not let them out when they bark.
Also, remember if they are being quiet in the kennels to praise that behavior, so often we forget to praise the behaviors we want.
I would revisit how much exercise they are getting. Sheltie puppies have boundless energy and they maybe too excited to settle down and need more than they are getting. Also make sure you or anyone in the house is not let them out when they bark.
Caro
Moderator
But dont play with them right before bedtime - it just revs them up more! Give at least 15-20min after play before crating them. Maybe keep them apart before they go into their crates so they have time to calm down?
I know someone who used the spray bottle to settle down a sheltie, and then used a spray bottle for grooming - not good results. I did try the spray in the car - but the pups just thought it was good fun! Same with the pennies in the can - something else to bark at!
Do they have crate covers? If not, could you cover up the crate of whoever is barking until they settle down - like a time out?
Tell you one thing tho - the kitten seems to be calming them down a little. Tully is too interested in the kitten to worry about what Deska is doing (lol). Of course, give it time and the kitten will probably start copying the ratbags too!
I know someone who used the spray bottle to settle down a sheltie, and then used a spray bottle for grooming - not good results. I did try the spray in the car - but the pups just thought it was good fun! Same with the pennies in the can - something else to bark at!
Do they have crate covers? If not, could you cover up the crate of whoever is barking until they settle down - like a time out?
Tell you one thing tho - the kitten seems to be calming them down a little. Tully is too interested in the kitten to worry about what Deska is doing (lol). Of course, give it time and the kitten will probably start copying the ratbags too!
They've been getting along fine.
Now I have to watch and make sure Smudge doesn't go for her ears though. 
When my room gets reorganized and I'm not embarassed to take pictures around my room I'll post more pictures of them together. I have newer pictures of them seperate, but not together.My new carpet will be put down in a few months. I'm getting rid of a lot of the furniture in my room. The only things in my room will be the two crates, my desk, and my bed. The grooming table will be their also, but it folds up. So I can store it where ever I need to. I'm thinking once I get some of the other furniture moved out I'll try moving their crates apart some. Fluffy is 100% the one who starts the barking almost all the time.
I'm going to try the suggestions here. Smudge isn't going to get out of his crate this morning until he is quiet and stops barking. Fluffy isn't either.
Two new Smudge pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/hobitfancier/100_1976.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/hobitfancier/100_1961.jpg
Two new Fluffy pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/hobitfancier/100_1941-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/hobitfancier/100_1930.jpg
It's hard to tell in some of the pictures, but Smudge's coat is getting longer and fluffier.
I'm excited.
Last edited:
Caro
Moderator
They've been getting along fine.
It's hard to tell in some of the pictures, but Smudge's coat is getting longer and fluffier. I'm excited.
I used to come home and find poor Tully puppy's ears sopping wet because Deska had been chewing on them - had to put deterrent on her ears to stop him.
I can see Smudge is getting a fluffy butt - just look at those pants. Now you will have to get a butt shot!
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
Fluffy looks like a camera ham 