Sheltie barking too much: how to change his behaviour?

S
Shetmimi Icon representing the flag French

Poppy didn't bark at all until he was a year old. He's seven and a half now. He isn't neutered. He's very affectionate with us and is always right at our heels. He's quite aggressive, but only with other males. He lives with an old cat. He starts barking hysterically when we feed the cat in the basement, Sheltie barking too much: how to change his behaviour? when I get out of the car and leave him inside, when the intercom rings, on walks, in the woods... He also chases after cars, barking all the way along our garden fence by the side of the road. We feel like this erratic behaviour is getting worse as the years go by. What can we do to re-train him, or is it too late? Should we see a dog behaviourist? Thanks for your help.

Translated from French
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2 answers
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    • ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
    Expert verified

    Hi,

    It’s definitely not too late to improve Poppy’s behaviour; an adult dog is perfectly capable of learning new things, as long as you understand what triggers his reactions and work through them gradually.

    From what you’ve described, his barking seems to happen in very different situations. It would be useful to understand the root cause of each reaction rather than just trying to teach him to be quiet, which is why I’d recommend reaching out to a dog behaviourist for support.

    I think it’s also important to touch on the subject of neutering, as it’s something that might be suggested to you. In some males, it can reduce certain behaviours, but it can also reinforce them or even make them worse.

    If this is an option you’re considering, your vet will be able to advise you and, if necessary, discuss a temporary chemical neutering to see how he reacts before deciding on a permanent operation.

    Best of luck,

    Maëlla

    Translated from French
    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
    First of all, he’s absolutely adorable (I know that’s not really the point, but he is very cute ^^). If he’s been barking a lot for years, it’s not going to stop in just a few days, but with the right support, you should see progress quite quickly. Dogs can learn at any age, so nothing is impossible. The key thing is to understand why he’s barking so you can address the root cause. From what you’ve described, it sounds to me like there’s a lot of frustration, difficulty managing his emotions, a strong herding instinct (which is normal for a shepherd breed), and over-excitement. You also need to consider whether he’s getting enough physical exercise, but also whether he’s being mentally stimulated. Simple things like puzzle toys, chews, snuffle mats… this kind of mental enrichment can be done easily every day. Have you thought about trying mantrailing or agility…? I think the best thing would be to get some help from a behaviourist who can give you exercises to help your dog channel his emotions. Which area are you in?
    Translated from French

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