Question:

I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that she barks at everything!  I have had her for about 7 months (long enough for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when she first joined the family she would settle down but she has not.  I have been working with her on her barking for about one month now by saying in a firm voice each time she barks quiet and when she settles down givving her a treat and telling her good quiet, good girl.  About 2/3’s of the time she gets the treat 1/3 of the time just the good quiet with petting.  I think that the only thing that she has learned is to sit pretty for the bisket.  Does anyone have any more suggestions.  I am rather against any form of negiative re-enforcement as she is a rescue dog and was removed from a physicaly damaging enviroment. Thanks for any suggestions or corrections on what I am doing

Response:

My parents have a sheltie who also barks non-stop.  She stares out the window all day long, and barks at anything and everything that moves. she also barks like this when she is outside. I’ve been told that this is inherent in shelties, because of their herding instinct, but I don’t know if that’s true. My parents, who have floor to ceiling windows in their house, but some glazed plastic at the bottom of each window at "dog level" so the dog can’t see what’s going outside.  This has quieted her down inside… good luck, and let me know if you come up with anything better….

: I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that : she barks at everything!  I have had her for about 7 months (long enough : for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when she first : joined the family she would settle down but she has not.  I have been : working with her on her barking for about one month now by saying in a : firm voice each time she barks quiet and when she settles down givving : her a treat and telling her good quiet, good girl.  About 2/3’s of the : time she gets the treat 1/3 of the time just the good quiet with : petting.  I think that the only thing that she has learned is to sit : pretty for the bisket.  Does anyone have any more suggestions.  I am : rather against any form of negiative re-enforcement as she is a rescue : dog and was removed from a physicaly damaging enviroment. : : Thanks for any suggestions or corrections on what I am doing :

Response:

>I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that >she barks at everything!  

You have your work cut out for you. That’s ’cause she was bred to bark. <http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/shelties.html> <http://www.linkny.com/~sugarhil/so_you_want_to_own_a_sheltie.htm> <http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/shetlandsheepdog.htm> >I have had her for about 7 months (long enough >for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when she first >joined the family she would settle down but she has not.

You essentially have to figure out what "triggers" her barking. Try here: <http://www.petwarehouse2.com/roversrange/behavior/stopbarking.asp> And good luck! :>) — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman "I really dislike – thats (sic) too harsh but the best I can state it –  the entire sporting group and cannot imagine being forced to live with one – not my types at all!"                                                                           Nancy Holmes

Response:

BWWWAHAHAHHAAHAAA!!! You’re giving them cindymooreon’s site. She’s a SADIST. She’s been thrown out of two obedience clubs. The other site sells shock collars. That’s all you know, is HURT the dog, huh? You’re an anonymous, lying, dog abusing cowardly thug. You told Paul and Marty you’d NEED to HURT their dogs MOORE than they’d LIKE for just eating poo. You couldn’t outwit a puppy dog if his life depended on it.  Your pal, Jerry "The PHONY," Howe. j;~}

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that >she barks at everything! > You have your work cut out for you. > That’s ’cause she was bred to bark. > <http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/shelties.html> > <http://www.linkny.com/~sugarhil/so_you_want_to_own_a_sheltie.htm> > <http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/shetlandsheepdog.htm> >I have had her for about 7 months (long enough >for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when she first >joined the family she would settle down but she has not. > You essentially have to figure out what "triggers" her barking. > Try here: > <http://www.petwarehouse2.com/roversrange/behavior/stopbarking.asp> > And good luck! > :>) > — > Dogman > http://www.i1.net/~dogman > "I really dislike – thats (sic) too harsh but the best I can state it – the entire > sporting group and cannot imagine being forced to live with one – not my types at all!" Nancy Holmes

Response:

>I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that >she barks at everything!

From what I’ve seen of shelties, barking is what they do. :}   I had a lot of trouble getting my Eskie to stop barking.  In fact, I NEVER got my Eskie to stop barking.  I did get him to bark less, though. If he was outside in the yard barking, I’d just take him in.  If he was looking out the window barking, I’d close the curtains.  Trying to distract him from the barking stimulus was about the best I could do. Another thing that worked with him was to get on the floor with him, put my arms around him and cuddle him, and say, "Shhhh" very softly right in his face.  He would eventually go from full-fledge barks to quiet "talking." I’m sure others here have better advice. :} Learn How to Can Spam http://www.whew.com/Spammers/reportspam_stepbystep.shtml http://www.spamfree.org/ WHITE HAT OF THE MONTH – Nominate At:  http://www.whitehat.com/whotm/ Internet Secrets, 2nd Edition, by John Levine (All About Spam, p. 277)

Response:

Hello Barb,

> I took in a rescue sheltie.

Our pal lyingdogDUMMY for got to congratulate you and welcome you to the group. I guess he didn’t want to stick around any longer than necessary. > In every way she is wonderfull except that > she barks at everything!

Like our pal lyingdogDUMMY says, you’ve identified the problem… >  I have had her for about 7 months (long enough > for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when > she first joined the family she would settle down but she > has not.

There’s probably lots of reasons for that. I’ve got lots of suggestions that will fix her up fast. > I have been working with her on her barking for about one > month now by saying in a firm voice each time she barks > quiet

That’s giving her the wrong message. You should tell her she’s a good dog for barking. That’s her job, she’s a dog. Dogs bark because they’re SCARED. She’s telling you there’s something to be scared of. When you tell her NO, you’re telling her that her instincts are wrong. That tells her not to trust your judgement. That makes her more scared. > and when she settles down givving her a treat and > telling her good quiet, good girl.

After the initial thought of the behavior has left her mind and the behavior has begun, the treat cannot be associated with the behavior that has STOPPED. Her mind is on something entirely different. So, basically it’s your timing that’s off. You need to distract and praise as soon as you notice the thought of the behavior being formed. > About 2/3’s of the time she gets the treat 1/3 of the time > just the good quiet  with petting.  I think that the only thing > that she has learned is to sit pretty for the bisket.

Yeah. Furthermore, when you use a treat to reward a behavior, often the treat takes the dog’s mind too far from the behavior for the dog to be able to learn the behavior in context. In essence, you are limiting the dog’s scope and function by not challenging him to think and work for you. And treats often fail when something more desirable comes along. Treats appeal to the lowest level of consciousness, the gut. > Does anyone have any more suggestions.

The methods in the Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual available for FREE at http://www.doggydoright.com will get you straightened out in a couple of days. Ask if you need help. > I am rather against any form of negiative re-enforcement > as she is a rescue dog

Oh, not to worry about that. Our pal lying"I LOVE KOEHLER,"lynn says to leave a long line on the dog and jerk and choke it to keep a new shelter dog quiet in the crate. I’m sure she’d approve of HURTING your dog. > and was removed from a physicaly damaging enviroment.

Oh. In that case, our pal lyingdogDUMMY and freaky frantik fraud die would recommend using the shock collar on her. That’s far more humane than beating and choking a shy dog. > Thanks for any suggestions or corrections on what I am > doing.

Well I’m surprised lyingdogDUMMY didn’t just come out and tell you he’d NEED to hurt your dog MOORE than we’d like, as he did with Paul and Marty. Maybe that’s cause his lip is still healing from that nasty Carp hook Marty jigged him with. You can get all the information you need to PROPERLY handle and train your dog using non force, non confronatational, scientific and psychological methods, in the Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual available for free at http://www.doggydoright.com Ask yourself "WHY DOESN’T JERRY HURT DOGS TO TRAIN THEM?" And then just answer "BECAUSE JERRY KNOWS HOWE TO TRAIN DOGS WITHOUT HURTING THEM." And THEN SAY OUT LOUD: "IGNORE JERRY, HE’S MEAN TO DOG ABUSERS." The Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual is provided compliments of  the BIOSOUND Scientific Elves as an alternative to Doggy Do Right (and Kitty Will Too). Your pal, Jerry "The Phony," Howe. j;~}

Response:

mom’s Eskie "Miki" Barks more often then they would like too, but it hasn’t been too much of a annoyance. They also tell her to shush, and she will quit but has to "get the last word in" with a low volume woof. http://members.tripod.com/sacketttt/Miki.htm  Miki’s page Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that >she barks at everything! > From what I’ve seen of shelties, barking is what they do. :} > I had a lot of trouble getting my Eskie to stop barking.  In fact, I NEVER got > my Eskie to stop barking.  I did get him to bark less, though. > If he was outside in the yard barking, I’d just take him in.  If he was looking > out the window barking, I’d close the curtains.  Trying to distract him from > the barking stimulus was about the best I could do. > Another thing that worked with him was to get on the floor with him, put my > arms around him and cuddle him, and say, "Shhhh" very softly right in his face. >  He would eventually go from full-fledge barks to quiet "talking." > I’m sure others here have better advice. :} > Learn How to Can Spam > http://www.whew.com/Spammers/reportspam_stepbystep.shtml > http://www.spamfree.org/ > WHITE HAT OF THE MONTH – Nominate At:  http://www.whitehat.com/whotm/ > Internet Secrets, 2nd Edition, by John Levine (All About Spam, p. 277)

Response:

>> I have been working with her on her barking for about one > month now by saying in a firm voice each time she barks > quiet >That’s giving her the wrong message. You should tell her she’s a good dog >for barking. That’s her job, she’s a dog. Dogs bark because they’re SCARED. >She’s telling you there’s something to be scared of. When you tell her NO, >you’re telling her that her instincts are wrong. That tells her not to trust >your judgement. That makes her more scared.

Showing HOWE stupid you really are as far as dog behavior goes aren’t you Jerry

Response:

Well this is negative but not violent IMO so it might be acceptable to you – try squirting her with a stream of water. This usually startles the dog enough to make it cease barking so you can praise it for doing as told – sequence is ‘quiet’ and if no response to the command a spritz of water followed by a ‘good quiet’. Also shelties were bred originally to run and herd all day. I strongly suspect they seldom get the level of exercise an active herding dog might need. I’d increase exercise, provide distracting things like seriously good chew toys and encourage chewing on them (tiring and keeping the mouth full and I’d be really tempted to attend training classes with this dog. The more mental stimulation the better. Finally if the issue is the dog must be quiet or the dog is gone find a sheltie or collie person in your area to discuss the concept of debarking with. This simply moves the dog’s voice down from piercing shriek to tolerable lower tone voice. Its something best done by an expert veterinarian who does lots of these surgeries and a collie or sheltie breed should be able to both advise you on the procedure and who the top person in your area is. Its a LAST choice IMO not a first choice but it beats rehoming (or in some cases killing) the dog. Nancy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that > she barks at everything!  I have had her for about 7 months (long enough > for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when she first > joined the family she would settle down but she has not.  I have been > working with her on her barking for about one month now by saying in a > firm voice each time she barks quiet and when she settles down givving > her a treat and telling her good quiet, good girl.  About 2/3’s of the > time she gets the treat 1/3 of the time just the good quiet with > petting.  I think that the only thing that she has learned is to sit > pretty for the bisket.  Does anyone have any more suggestions.  I am > rather against any form of negiative re-enforcement as she is a rescue > dog and was removed from a physicaly damaging enviroment. > Thanks for any suggestions or corrections on what I am doing

Response:

> >I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that >she barks at everything! > You have your work cut out for you. > That’s ’cause she was bred to bark.

   We had a discussion about names on my agility club’s e-mail list last week. We discussed "corgi" meaning "dwarf dog" in Welsh, "Viszla" meaning "seek" or "hunt" in Turkish and Hungarian, and the origin of my dogs’ names.   Two explanations were put forward for "Sheltie": 1. ""Sheltie" is apparently derived from an old gaelic word meaning          irritating and incessant barking…" 2." "Sheltie" is an acronym for Small Hairy Eejit Loudly Twirling In Ellipses." Sarah (Pack Leader and Mamcat) Brenin,  CGC, AD, S-OAC, S-OJC, O-OGC, EJC, 1/2 EAC (formerly the Puppy From Hell) Gwydion, Purring Monitor Ornament and Wicked Cat Extraordinaire Morag, the Levitating Lurcher Landshark,  NAC, O-NJC, NGC Robyn the Meezer-Brat, Inspector of Human Activity & Intrepid Door-Climber we can be seen at: http://ememories.com/pf/default.asp?PF=98A197877B92 New (and funny) pics at: http://www.ememories.com/pf/default.asp?PF=949D9283B0C2A393

Response:

> Also shelties were bred originally to run and herd all day. I strongly > suspect they seldom get the level of exercise an active herding dog might > need. I’d increase exercise, provide distracting things like seriously good > chew toys and encourage chewing on them (tiring and keeping the mouth full > and I’d be really tempted to attend training classes with this dog. The > more mental stimulation the better.

    Just as a point of note: Since I’m involved in agility, I know LOTS of Shelties who get all the exercise and mental stimulation they need. Doesn’t stop them from barking- in fact, I know many who barkbarkbark their way around courses, never missing an obstacle.       There are some Border Collies who do the same thing. (It’s less annoying in the Borders, though, because it’s not as shrill.<G>)  The more "up in drive" they are, the more they bark. According to my agility instructor, barking/not barking is genetic; similar to hounds baying on the trail- a certain state of arousal triggers the bark.

Response:

Hello nancy, > Well this is negative but not violent IMO so it might be > acceptable to you –

You ARE a bit of a hypocrite, aren’t you. > try squirting her with a stream of water.

That’s certainly going to reward the dog for he protectiveness and instill trust and confidence in his owner. > This usually startles the dog enough

Like that shock fence you rely on? I keep telling folks here they cannot trust the judgement and advice of "trainers" who NEED to HURT, CONFRONT, or PUNISH and CONFINE dogs to train them… BYE! j;~}  to make it cease barking so you can praise it for doing as told – – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> sequence is ‘quiet’ and if no response to the command a spritz of water > followed by a ‘good quiet’. > Also shelties were bred originally to run and herd all day. I strongly > suspect they seldom get the level of exercise an active herding dog might > need. I’d increase exercise, provide distracting things like seriously good > chew toys and encourage chewing on them (tiring and keeping the mouth full > and I’d be really tempted to attend training classes with this dog. The > more mental stimulation the better. > Finally if the issue is the dog must be quiet or the dog is gone find a > sheltie or collie person in your area to discuss the concept of debarking > with. This simply moves the dog’s voice down from piercing shriek to > tolerable lower tone voice. Its something best done by an expert > veterinarian who does lots of these surgeries and a collie or sheltie breed > should be able to both advise you on the procedure and who the top person in > your area is. Its a LAST choice IMO not a first choice but it beats rehoming > (or in some cases killing) the dog. > Nancy > I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that > she barks at everything!  I have had her for about 7 months (long enough > for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when she first > joined the family she would settle down but she has not.  I have been > working with her on her barking for about one month now by saying in a > firm voice each time she barks quiet and when she settles down givving > her a treat and telling her good quiet, good girl.  About 2/3’s of the > time she gets the treat 1/3 of the time just the good quiet with > petting.  I think that the only thing that she has learned is to sit > pretty for the bisket.  Does anyone have any more suggestions.  I am > rather against any form of negiative re-enforcement as she is a rescue > dog and was removed from a physicaly damaging enviroment. > Thanks for any suggestions or corrections on what I am doing

Response:

BWWWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Also shelties were bred originally to run and herd all day. I strongly > suspect they seldom get the level of exercise an active herding dog might > need. I’d increase exercise, provide distracting things like seriously > good > chew toys and encourage chewing on them (tiring and keeping the mouth full > and I’d be really tempted to attend training classes with this dog. > The > more mental stimulation the better. >     Just as a point of note: Since I’m involved in agility, I know LOTS of > Shelties who get all the exercise and mental stimulation they need. Doesn’t > stop them from barking- in fact, I know many who barkbarkbark their way > around courses, never missing an obstacle. >       There are some Border Collies who do the same thing. (It’s less > annoying in the Borders, though, because it’s not as shrill.<G>)  The more > "up in drive" they are, the more they bark. According to my agility > instructor, barking/not barking is genetic; similar to hounds baying on the > trail- a certain state of arousal triggers the bark.

Response:

I too suspect its in the genes – weird IMO in sheep herders as sheep are so spooky. You never know though in a pet dog – might be lack of stimulation, exercise, socialization etc that make that individual dog a yapper. Worth a shot. IME most of the shelties and collies end up debarked when anyone has them in more than the pet type numbers. Similarly so do fox terriers and some other highly yappy breeds. Not my first choice but certainly beats killing the dog. Nancy wondering if the yappers have faster seratonin responses to barking making the yap more self rewarding faster than in other breeds….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Also shelties were bred originally to run and herd all day. I strongly > suspect they seldom get the level of exercise an active herding dog might > need. I’d increase exercise, provide distracting things like seriously > good > chew toys and encourage chewing on them (tiring and keeping the mouth full > and I’d be really tempted to attend training classes with this dog. > The > more mental stimulation the better. >     Just as a point of note: Since I’m involved in agility, I know LOTS of > Shelties who get all the exercise and mental stimulation they need. Doesn’t > stop them from barking- in fact, I know many who barkbarkbark their way > around courses, never missing an obstacle. >       There are some Border Collies who do the same thing. (It’s less > annoying in the Borders, though, because it’s not as shrill.<G>)  The more > "up in drive" they are, the more they bark. According to my agility > instructor, barking/not barking is genetic; similar to hounds baying on the > trail- a certain state of arousal triggers the bark.

Response:

>Doesn’t >stop them from barking- in fact, I know many who barkbarkbark >their way around courses, never missing an obstacle.

In some agility organizations (AAC for one), the judge can fault the dog for excessive barking.  Not fair to some breeds IMO. — –Matt.  Rocky’s a Dog.

Response:

> In some agility organizations (AAC for one), the judge can fault > the dog for excessive barking.  Not fair to some breeds IMO.

  Definitely not! I have heard more than one story of handlers extinguishing the dog’s joy in agility along with extinguishing the bark; and I know many really *good* dogs who "talk" on course.  Case in point: Debi Hutchinson’s Gage, who has just completed a Triple Triple Superior in NADAC- only ONE other dog has ever done so.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that > >she barks at everything! > You have your work cut out for you. > That’s ’cause she was bred to bark. [...] >1. ""Sheltie" is apparently derived from an old gaelic word meaning >         irritating and incessant barking…" >2." "Sheltie" is an acronym for Small Hairy Eejit Loudly Twirling In >Ellipses."

HAHA! From what I’ve observed, Sarah, both are pretty much correct. :>) — Dogman http://www.i1.net/~dogman "I really dislike – thats (sic) too harsh but the best I can state it –  the entire sporting group and cannot imagine being forced to live with one – not my types at all!"                                                                           Nancy Holmes

Response:

>Doesn’t >stop them from barking- in fact, I know many who barkbarkbark >their way around courses, never missing an obstacle. > In some agility organizations (AAC for one), the judge can fault > the dog for excessive barking.  Not fair to some breeds IMO.

At the one agility trial I’ve been to, the most competent dog was a BC who barkbarkbarked his way through the course. The only time he stopped barking was on/in/over the obstacle. He also spun a 360, barking, between every obstacle. That dog knew how to have a good time. Cate

Response:

the sheltie e-mail list is a great resource. my meg’s a rescue sheltie, too, and the list has been tremendously helpful in breed specific issues. http://sheltiehomepage.mcf.com/ is the home page for the list. http://lists.mcf.com/sheltielistpage.nclk is the page for subscribing. –nb http://ememories.com/pf/default.asp/PF=9EA49F8D7E92 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that >she barks at everything!  I have had her for about 7 months (long enough >for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when she first >joined the family she would settle down but she has not.  I have been >working with her on her barking for about one month now by saying in a >firm voice each time she barks quiet and when she settles down givving >her a treat and telling her good quiet, good girl.  About 2/3’s of the >time she gets the treat 1/3 of the time just the good quiet with >petting.  I think that the only thing that she has learned is to sit >pretty for the bisket.  Does anyone have any more suggestions.  I am >rather against any form of negiative re-enforcement as she is a rescue >dog and was removed from a physicaly damaging enviroment. >Thanks for any suggestions or corrections on what I am doing

Response:

>    We had a discussion about names on my agility club’s e-mail list last > week. We discussed "corgi" meaning "dwarf dog" in Welsh, "Viszla" meaning > "seek" or "hunt" in Turkish and Hungarian, and the origin of my dogs’ names. >   Two explanations were put forward for "Sheltie": > 1. ""Sheltie" is apparently derived from an old gaelic word meaning >          irritating and incessant barking…" > 2." "Sheltie" is an acronym for Small Hairy Eejit Loudly Twirling In > Ellipses."

EVIL! Funny as hell, but clearly EVIL!! Christy with a big hairy quiet eejit who only twirls on command

Response:

Tsk, tsk, tsk. It’s not fair to INCOMPETENT TRAINERS.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Doesn’t >stop them from barking- in fact, I know many who barkbarkbark >their way around courses, never missing an obstacle. > In some agility organizations (AAC for one), the judge can fault > the dog for excessive barking.  Not fair to some breeds IMO. > — > –Matt.  Rocky’s a Dog.

Response:

Is that why you would jerk, choke, shock, and HANG them ot quiet them?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> >I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that >> >she barks at everything! >> You have your work cut out for you. >> That’s ’cause she was bred to bark. > [...] >1. ""Sheltie" is apparently derived from an old gaelic word meaning >         irritating and incessant barking…" >2." "Sheltie" is an acronym for Small Hairy Eejit Loudly Twirling In >Ellipses." > HAHA! > From what I’ve observed, Sarah, both are pretty much correct. > :>) > — > Dogman > http://www.i1.net/~dogman > "I really dislike – thats (sic) too harsh but the best I can state it – the entire > sporting group and cannot imagine being forced to live with one – not my types at all!" Nancy Holmes

Response:

That’s telling us all about the competency of our "expert" breeders, huh? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I too suspect its in the genes – weird IMO in sheep herders as sheep are so > spooky. You never know though in a pet dog – might be lack of stimulation, > exercise, socialization etc that make that individual dog a yapper. Worth a > shot. > IME most of the shelties and collies end up debarked when anyone has them in > more than the pet type numbers. Similarly so do fox terriers and some other > highly yappy breeds. > Not my first choice but certainly beats killing the dog. > Nancy > wondering if the yappers have faster seratonin responses to barking making > the yap more self rewarding faster than in other breeds…. > > Also shelties were bred originally to run and herd all day. I strongly > > suspect they seldom get the level of exercise an active herding dog > might > > need. I’d increase exercise, provide distracting things like seriously > good > > chew toys and encourage chewing on them (tiring and keeping the mouth > full > > and I’d be really tempted to attend training classes with this dog. > The > > more mental stimulation the better. >     Just as a point of note: Since I’m involved in agility, I know LOTS of > Shelties who get all the exercise and mental stimulation they need. > Doesn’t > stop them from barking- in fact, I know many who barkbarkbark their way > around courses, never missing an obstacle. >       There are some Border Collies who do the same thing. (It’s less > annoying in the Borders, though, because it’s not as shrill.<G>)  The more > "up in drive" they are, the more they bark. According to my agility > instructor, barking/not barking is genetic; similar to hounds baying on > the > trail- a certain state of arousal triggers the bark.

Response:

BWWWWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!! You’re an IDIOT, melanie. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The remedy I read in Karen Pryor, that I thought was pretty ingenious, is > to train the dog to bark on cue, and then never give the cue.  As neither > of the dogs I’ve owned have been barkers, I don’t know how effective this is. > Solo would distress bark (more like cry) to himself when I first got him, > and after nothing else worked, I resorted to the squirt gun.  That did > work, but he finds squirted water to be VERY aversive. > — >   Melanie Lee Chang                        |  Repetition is the death >   Departments of Anthropology and Biology  |  of art. >   University of Pennsylvania               |

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thanks for the idea, but rather like your parents home short of crating her allday I don’t think that i can remove all of the stimuals in her envrioment – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > My parents have a sheltie who also barks non-stop.  She stares out the > window all day long, and barks at anything and everything that moves. she > also barks like this when she is outside. > I’ve been told that this is inherent in shelties, because of their herding > instinct, but I don’t know if that’s true. > My parents, who have floor to ceiling windows in their house, but some > glazed plastic at the bottom of each window at "dog level" so the dog can’t > see what’s going outside.  This has quieted her down inside… > good luck, and let me know if you come up with anything better…. > : I took in a rescue sheltie.  In every way she is wonderfull except that > : she barks at everything!  I have had her for about 7 months (long enough > : for her to relax in her new enviroment) I hoped that when she first > : joined the family she would settle down but she has not.  I have been > : working with her on her barking for about one month now by saying in a > : firm voice each time she barks quiet and when she settles down givving > : her a treat and telling her good quiet, good girl.  About 2/3’s of the > : time she gets the treat 1/3 of the time just the good quiet with > : petting.  I think that the only thing that she has learned is to sit > : pretty for the bisket.  Does anyone have any more suggestions.  I am > : rather against any form of negiative re-enforcement as she is a rescue > : dog and was removed from a physicaly damaging enviroment. > : > : Thanks for any suggestions or corrections on what I am doing > :

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