Barking and being a service dog

K

kayla

Forums Regular
I've been doing a lot of research on a suitable dog for a service dog and I fell in love with the sheltie for its perfect size that's able to fit under seats and for their intelligence. But their downfall is their barking. I absolutely can't have a service dog in public places barking at things or people when it is working. I do plan on taking my dog to training classes and spending at least an hour a day training. Yes I know you can train them to get ahold of their barking but it seems like there are still triggers to make them bark even if the majority of the time they are quiet. But I can't have my service dog be triggered and bark while it's working. Do you think I can train them to 100% of the time be quiet while working? When it's not working I still want them to be quiet but it wouldn't be as important or strict as working.
 
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Wow, that's a tough one. I do know of someone who uses a sheltie as her service dog and I've seen the dog in action - no barking whatsoever. So I'm not sure whether this particular sheltie was always quiet, or whether she successfully trained her not to bark in public. But I wouldn't necessarily rule out a sheltie altogether because of the barking.
 
Cara Sandler said:
Wow, that's a tough one. I do know of someone who uses a sheltie as her service dog and I've seen the dog in action - no barking whatsoever. So I'm not sure whether this particular sheltie was always quiet, or whether she successfully trained her not to bark in public. But I wouldn't necessarily rule out a sheltie altogether because of the barking.
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Thanks I just need confirmation that I could have a sheltie as a service dog because I'm a student and a part time employee too so the dog has to be on it's best behavior whenever it's working g
 
kayla said:
Thanks I just need confirmation that I could have a sheltie as a service dog because I'm a student and a part time employee too so the dog has to be on it's best behavior whenever it's working g
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Definitely, this will take some work but I don't think it's impossible. And you will never find a smarter, more loyal breed than a sheltie!
 
We must not forget that a Sheltie is a herding dog - it uses its voice to communicate with :yes:

- It's not just a bark to bark but to tell something = perform its job.

It is a breed with a sensitive mind, much more than other breeds - definitely also a wonderful, lovable race

Having said that, of course, you can make sure - to give it the best conditions for becoming a confident little dog (less barking)
Socializing it very well, Giving it comfort (?) When it meets "all these dangerous things" and so on ---

A happy Sheltie is a Sheltie who is allowed to be a Sheltie :hugs

Lovely little article by Trini Gilmore: http://sheltieforums.com/threads/are-shelties-for-everyone.22964/
(Sorry my bad english)
 
Layla never barks when she's in her coat as my ESA. She also never barks when she's working as a therapy dog. They learn fast. "No bark!"
 
Chris said:
Layla never barks when she's in her coat as my ESA. She also never barks when she's working as a therapy dog. They learn fast. "No bark!"
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Hi I'd love to contact you further about your Therapy dog it's not quite he same as a service dog but I'm seriously worried about the barking I know it's their natural need to bark for allerting or anything unusual. Have you taken your dog in public settings like restaurant and schools or stores? Once your sheltie is working she understands NOT to bark? Did you have professional training so it doesn't bark while working as a therapy dog?
 
Responsible for their territory. To alert their human or to generally scare off suspicious activity. Mine would bark at people walking on the sidewalk in front of the house, or to the front door. If I was out in the back yard, they would notify me that the phone was ringing. Their hearing was amazing. They never really barked just for the sake of barking. When we were other places, I guess they didn't feel that it was their job.
 
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