How To Stop Sheltie From Barking? All Answers

No one should expect a dog to never bark. That’s as unreasonable as expecting a child never to speak. But some dogs bark excessively. If this is a problem in your home, the first step is to figure out what is causing your dog to bark too much. Once you know why they bark, you can start treating their barking problem.

Why Dogs Bark Barking is a type of vocal communication that dogs use, and it can have different meanings depending on the situation. Here are some reasons why dogs bark: Territorial/Protective: When a person or animal comes into an area, your dog will examine their territory, which often leads to excessive barking. When the threat gets closer, the barking often gets louder. Your dog will look alert and even aggressive during this type of bark. Alert/Fear: Some dogs will bark at any sound or object that draws their attention or startles them. This can happen anywhere, not just in their home territory. Their ears will be pulled back and tail tucked in when in a state of fear.

Boredom/Loneliness: Dogs are pack animals. Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time, whether in the house or in the garden, can become bored or sad and often bark because they are unhappy. Greeting/Play: Dogs often bark when greeting people or other animals. It is usually a cheerful bark accompanied by tail wagging and sometimes jumping. Seeking attention: Dogs often bark when they want something, like going outside, playing, or getting a treat. Separation Anxiety/Compulsive Barking: Dogs with separation anxiety often bark excessively when left alone. They also usually show other symptoms such as tempo, destructiveness, depression, and inappropriate shedding. Compulsive barkers seem to bark just to hear the sound of their voices. They also often do repetitive movements, such as running in circles or along a fence.

Hear our Shelties speak

By Becky Casale | About | Article | e-book

Shelties are among the loudest dog breeds and this goes well beyond barking. Check out these adorable sheltie sounds caught on camera today: you can actually hear our shelties talking.

“Sheltie talk” is pretty much any sound a Sheltie makes that isn’t a bark or whine. It’s absolutely adorable, without question.

Shetland Sheepdogs have a reputation for barking to alert their owners to potential intruders. Because of this innate habit, they make excellent watchdogs. However, they can also be trained to be obedient, calmer dogs, or just give a few short warning barks instead.

However, in addition to the alarming bark, Shelties also engage in lots of funny dog ​​talk. They can make weird and beautiful noises that sound to us like they are singing. In fact, most other dog breeds just seem too calm by comparison.

Piper’s Sheltie Talk

Piper is a real Sheltie talker. Here is a montage of the moments I caught on camera today. He loves to let out a deep, throaty roar that turns into a howl when he yawns. And I saved the best clip for last as it breaks into a Sheltie song.

Growly Dog Talk

Another totally adorable type of Sheltie talk happens late at night when our boys are playing a lazy game together.

The game consists of lying on the bed and trying to gnaw each other while they make ridiculously cute noises that they think sound scary and animalistic, but make us howl with laughter.

I have tried many times to capture this on camera in stealth mode but they always catch me and stop the growling noises. I guess that’s a Sheltie talk reserved for live performances only.

Why do shelties speak?

There’s a good reason why these sweet little dogs choose to sing for us. They do it to convey emotion.

Like humans, dogs have their own communication system, although scientists don’t really recognize it as actual language. It is an instinctively recognizable basic language exhibited by many mammals.

For example, dog talk involves multiple types of growls. Take the fierce, menacing growl that screamed “Retreat!” means. Or the softer, playful growl that means “Come on!” in a mock fight.

From our experience, the sheltie talk is an attention-grabbing trick. If I’ve spent too long at my computer without paying attention to the dogs, Piper will come and tell me with one of his singing yawns. And when it’s 5 p.m. and I haven’t given the dogs dinner yet, Howard comes and whimpers and pats my knee to remind me of his belly.

Either way, Sheltie talk is a truly endearing trait and can be a useful way for your Shetland Sheepdog to communicate their needs.

How to Treat Separation Anxiety in Shelties

By Becky Casale | About | Article | e-book

Separation anxiety in Shelties is a mental disorder that causes dogs to have a great fear of being left alone. Here are 6 ways you can help your sheltie deal with it.

Separation anxiety is a real problem for many dogs. When you go to work in the morning, your dog can go into a state of nervous anxiety that will quickly intensify without your return.

Dogs are social animals. They need lots of human company and social interaction to feel happy. And while no dog likes to be left alone for long periods of time, some breeds like Shelties can suffer a lot more due to their sensitive mental makeup. Your Sheltie’s ancestors were bred to be highly sensitive alert dogs, and this inherited personality trait continues to this day. As a result, Shelties are always on the lookout for danger and crave to be around you so they can alert you to suspicious events.

4 Causes of Separation Anxiety in Shelties

There are a few possible causes of this condition:

1. Genetics. Some dog breeds are genetically predisposed to fear and insecurity. This is definitely worth considering before buying a puppy, especially if you will be away from home most of the day. The breeds most prone to separation anxiety include Shetland Sheepdogs, Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, and German Shepherds.

2. Trauma. A majority of dogs from puppy mills and shelters develop separation anxiety. Many have suffered significant trauma in their lives and have at least been abandoned by their owners. They are afraid that their new family will use the same trick and leave forever.

3. Early weaning. Puppies that are separated from their mothers and littermates too early are particularly prone to separation anxiety. Pet store puppies are prime examples. They often come from puppy mills and are taken from their mothers when they are still helpless to make room for more puppies. The babies are confined in small glass boxes or cages at pet stores for weeks or months. This early weaning is itself traumatic and is compounded by the social isolation at the pet store.

4. Neglect. Unfortunately, neglect is the number one cause of separation anxiety in dogs. If you’re far more absent than present in your dog’s life, then separation anxiety is all but inevitable. Your dog needs your company, affection and attention to be happy and content.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety symptoms are quite pronounced if you pay attention. Your Sheltie knows when you’re leaving him alone: ​​he hears keys jingle, sees you put on your shoes, but there’s no leash in sight. This scares her immediately. She may follow you from room to room, whimpering for you to stay. Some dogs can even become aggressive to try and stop their owner from walking.

Once you’re gone, the anxious behavior worsens, peaking within half an hour. Your Sheltie may bark non-stop, claw at windows and doors to escape and find you, chew household items, and even urinate or defecate indoors. A Sheltie with extreme separation anxiety may self-mutilate by licking or chewing their skin, pulling out their fur, and engaging in compulsive behaviors such as spinning and tail chasing.

Upon your return, she will be overly excited and will bounce around you in a frenzy of glee for an extended period of time (far beyond the 30-60 seconds of a happy, even-tempered dog). This long greeting is a source of some misunderstanding. Some owners don’t realize that this is a symptom of separation anxiety and will encourage their sheltie to become even more upset upon their return by encouraging them to jump and bark even more. That will only make it harder the next time they leave.

6 Ways to Treat Separation Anxiety in Shelties

Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize your dog’s anxiety.

1. Train your sheltie

The longer you expect to be gone, the more exercise she will need before you leave. If you drive to work in the morning, she’s alone all day, which is hell for a Sheltie. One way to help her is to tire her out so she’s mentally stimulated and has less nervous energy to burn off.

2. Offer dog chews

Distract their boredom, loneliness and anxiety with lots of delicious dog chews. Dogs explore the world with their mouths, so chewing can be very stimulating and satisfying. Stock up on rawhides to distract them when you leave, and place chew toys in their favorite spots around the house.

3. Provide a background noise

The house can be too quiet while you’re away, leaving your Sheltie with no choice but to pay attention to every slamming car door, every voice in the street, and any other distant noise that might indicate an incoming threat. So keep her company while she’s alone. Turn the radio to a soothing station like classical music or let them hear familiar human voices on talk shows. Just keep the volume down so you don’t accidentally overstimulate them. Make the house sound like you’re home, it’s a good reminder that she’s safe.

4. Give her a view

Let your Sheltie climb onto the couch by the window if he wants to. This empowers her to watch the world go by when she longs to. For them, the next best thing is to be on the move.

5. Practice walking in peace

Teach your Sheltie to be calmer when you leave the house. You can practice this by getting ready to go out, closing the door, and coming back in a few seconds later. Each time you do this one at a time, she’ll realize that there’s less to worry about because you came right back. Finally, if there is no fearful reaction, give her a treat and shower her with praise for being so brave.

6. Don’t coo when she’s scared

Never act overtly sympathetic when your sheltie is whining with separation anxiety. Though it sounds cold hearted, it’s actually the best way to boost your sanity. Reassure your dog by petting and cooing to acknowledge his concern. She thinks you’re saying “good girl” in response to her timid submission. She thinks she’s doing the right thing! Instead, show calmness and confidence, and do whatever you can to hide your concern so she doesn’t pick up the wrong cue.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, separation anxiety in Shelties is all too common. But it also affects many other dog breeds. So please share this with your other dog loving friends and help them understand their dog’s nervous behavior.

If your dog is alone for most of the day, think outside the box to provide him with good company. Maybe your retired neighbor is lonely too and would like to spend time with your dog. Or maybe there’s a dog walker who can come in and break up the day. Just make sure any changes are made sensitively, and give your anxious Sheltie the time he needs to adjust to new people and situations. In the long term, expanding their sense of security in more varied situations will also help reduce their nervousness.

The Sheltie is native to the rugged Shetland Islands, which lie between Scotland and Norway, about 50 miles north of Scotland and just south of the Arctic Circle. These islands are also home to other small animal breeds such as Shetland ponies and Shetland sheep.

For many years the Shetland Sheepdog was called Toonie, derived from the Norwegian word for farm. Farmers bred the dogs and crossed the border collie with smaller dogs to herd and protect their flocks of Shetland sheep. Some speculate that one of the Shetland Sheepdogs’ duties was to protect the small sheep from birds. In fact, many of today’s Shelties seem to have a passion for chasing birds, and some even attempt to chase down planes and helicopters that fly overhead.

In the early 1800s the Sheltie was introduced to England and Scotland where it was described as a Miniature Collie. On the Shetland Islands, farmers began breeding their little Shelties even smaller and fluffier to sell to visitors to the islands. A Prince Charles Spaniel (a variant of the English Toy Spaniel) and some Pomeranian dogs left on the island by tourists are rumored to have been crossed with the local sheepdogs.

There were so many crossbreeds that by the late 1800s islanders realized the original canine type was disappearing. However, there was much disagreement as to what the original dog had looked like and how to return to it. Some breeders believed they needed to crossbreed with Collies to regain the original type, others felt they should only breed the existing Shelties that came closest to the original type, and others continued to indiscriminately crossbreed with other breeds to create small, handsome pets to develop .

Shelties of all three types were entered in dog shows in the early 20th century up until the First World War. In 1909 the English Kennel Club recognized the breed. A total of 28 Shelties were registered as Shetland Collies (Rough) this year. Four of them still appear in the pedigrees of many modern Sheltie champions: two males named Lerwick Tim and Trim and two females named Inverness Topsy and Inga. The first Sheltie registered by the American Kennel Club was Lord Scott in 1911.

Collie breeders in England, however, were unhappy with the breed’s name and protested to the Kennel Club. This led to the name change to Shetland Sheepdog.

The Shetland Sheepdog caused controversy in both Britain and the United States for many years, with rumors of crossbreeding and long-standing disagreements over what the breed should be like. As a result, many Shetland Sheepdog Clubs were formed to support the differing viewpoints. Finally, in 1930, the Scottish and English Clubs came together and agreed that the dog should “resemble a collie (rough) in miniature”.

US breeders continued to import Shelties from England until the 1950s, but by this time American and British Shelties were beginning to vary greatly in type and size. Today almost all Shetland Sheepdogs in the United States are descended from dogs imported from England between World Wars I and II.

As the breed became better known, their numbers in the United States increased. In the 1970s, their popularity exploded and Shelties appeared on the American Kennel Club’s list of the Ten Most Popular Dogs for 12 of the next 15 years, peaking in the early 1990s. Today, the Sheltie ranks 20th out of the 155 breeds and varieties registered by the American Kennel Club.

And how is the Sheltie doing in its native Shetland Islands? Ironically, he’s fairly rare in his harsh homeland – the breed has been superseded by the Border Collie.

SO…… you want to adopt a rescue sheltie.

CISR is looking for adopters who genuinely want to rescue a homeless dog. If you want to help a dog that hasn’t had the best start in life…then please continue.

If you’re just looking for a cheap sheltie, this isn’t the route for you.

Please read this entire page. It should answer any questions you may have about adopting from us.

As you go through the adoption process, please understand that our primary concern is THE DOG’s happiness and welfare.

Our basic rules for adoption…….

You must have a proven history of excellent veterinary care for previous pets.

You must have a physical, permanently installed, secure fence enclosing your back door and yard….

(ie: A fenced yard)

You must be over 25 years old.

We place our Shelties within or very close proximity to Illinois. We will rarely house a dog out of state unless you are a former adopter in good standing and have moved out of the area.

We generally will not place a Sheltie in a home with children under the age of 10. (it rarely works)

The dog has to suit you, your age, your lifestyle, your home. The odds must be good that you will outlive the dog. We don’t want our dogs to be homeless again.

You must be willing to train and work with any new dog. Perfect dogs are created, not born that way.

If your current pets are not spayed or neutered and are kept up to date with all healthcare including dental cleanings for your current Sheltie, you will not be considered for adoption.

NEXT: Before adopting a Sheltie, please make sure you know this breed. Shelties have many wonderful qualities…but they also have some not-so-wonderful qualities.

Shelties can be very shy and timid. If a Sheltie doesn’t know you and doesn’t trust you, they won’t come to you. In fact, until they know and trust you, they’re a huge risk of outliers. That’s why we’re so careful about where we place our shelties. When a sheltie comes loose, catching it can be almost impossible. Once they start running, they quickly panic and can remain on the run for months or even years. A Sheltie is NOT a dog that can be trusted off leash in an unfenced area. At the first strange loud noise or other frightening experience, a Sheltie will run away. If you are looking for a dog that will be off the leash when working in the yard and garage then this is not the breed for you.

Most Shelties, once bonded to you, will be very affectionate. They will follow you anywhere, and many give their owners a false sense of trust and belief that the Sheltie would never run away. Under perfect conditions, this can be true. However, as mentioned above, Shelties can be spooked by many things, and they will just dash and run away when you least expect it.

Shelties are barkers. You don’t bark at everything….but a Sheltie will alert you when the UPS man arrives or someone enters your yard….or when something is “wrong”. If barking dogs bother you, this may not be the breed for you.

Shelties Shed. This is a double-coated, long-haired breed. Their coat needs a lot of maintenance. A thorough brushing at least once a week and a bath once a month will suffice.

Shelties can be very shy around strangers. A Sheltie is very affectionate and affectionate with its owners but can be very shy around strangers. If you’re looking for a dog that will run and greet everyone who visits you, this may not be the breed for you. Often a Sheltie will hide when a stranger comes by. Please keep this in mind if you plan on hiring strangers to look after your Sheltie while you are away.

Most Shelties do NOT tolerate toddlers and young children. We recommend that you wait until your child is at least 9 or 10 years old. Most Shelties are somewhat sensitive to noise and movement… so we don’t recommend this unless your child is unusually calm and quiet. I know “Lassie” was a great match for Timmy…… but Collies are NOT the same as Shelties. They are a completely different breed, TRUST US.

Shelties are herding dogs. They herd small children, squirrels, rabbits…etc. Unfortunately, some Shelties love to herd cars too! This is why a fenced yard is so important for dog safety.

What age Sheltie would be best for my situation?

Please consider this….Many people buy a puppy…and work and work and work to make that puppy behave like a grown adult. Please think about the chewing, the potty accidents, the crying in the crate, the constant attention a puppy needs when making an adoption decision. If you want a dog to behave like a grown adult, then don’t adopt a puppy!

Working all day / away a lot? A young dog or puppy will not do well in this environment, but an adult/senior dog will. Please consider the welfare of the dog and adopt an adult or senior dog if you are going to be out all day. An older dog will likely already be housebroken and trustworthy to come into the house on their own.

An average Sheltie lives to be 13-15 years old. So which dog age is best for you?

Puppy up to 1 year. old ……… Lots of chewing, not reliably housebroken, needs lots of attention and exercise, not a good choice if you’re going to be out all day.

1-3 years. old…….. Still acts like a puppy, may or may not be housebroken, will still chew, needs lots of playtime to burn off energy, gets bored quickly if left alone for too long. .. will chew or dig out of boredom. Good choice for someone who is only home part of the day.

3-5 years. Old……. To marry alone in the house for a short time, needs several hours of playtime every day, gets bored quickly, chews or digs with boredom.

5+ …. A perfect dog. Beyond the chewing stage, reliably house trained, content sleeping while you’re away, wants to play for a few hours but is ready to go back to sleep when you do. The best choice when you’re out and about all day.

Rescue dogs range in age from puppies to 13 years old. Old. Everyone seems to want the young dogs… so please consider opening your heart to an older dog. They are so much harder to place and tend to be the best behaved. They need just as much, if not more, a home than the younger dogs.

Other considerations

Appearance Please don’t just insist on a Sheltie’s appearance. We place our dogs in homes that suit their temperament and habits.

A Sheltie would be abysmal as an “outdoor” dog, so we don’t even consider it. A Sheltie forced to live away from the family will bark excessively and become destructive. Not a good situation!! A Sheltie is a very affectionate and loyal dog that needs attention and affection. A Sheltie will want to be with family wherever that may be. We will only consider those households that would like to have a Sheltie as a family member in the home.

If on one of our follow-up visits we discover that one of our dogs is left outside unattended, we will reclaim the dog.

Our Shelties can come from a variety of situations….. We retrieve dogs from shelters, owners drop off, dogs roaming free, dogs abandoned due to the death of their owner…etc…etc. Instead of letting these dogs die in a shelter, we take them in and care for their needs. We treat all dog diseases. We then neuter and/or neuter each dog (no exceptions), give them a teeth cleaning, get them up to date on all their vaccinations and start heartworm and flea protection. The dog will be bathed, groomed and placed in a foster home for evaluation. Each dog remains in their foster home until the temperament is known and a good match can be found. We do not mediate aggressive dogs or known biters. But some rescue dogs may have some “issues” that they need to work through. We always try to let you know of any known “issues” a dog has before you adopt it. Rescue dogs usually have a lot of love, affection and gratitude to give back. And you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you saved a dog

We have no accommodation. Our entire organization is made up of volunteer foster homes. We have dogs in foster homes across the country. So it is not possible to go to an “animal shelter” to see all our dogs. We ask that you submit an application first and once you are approved for adoption we will suggest a few dogs that we think would be a good match… and then make arrangements for you to meet them.

We don’t put dogs in houses we don’t think will work… so please respect our advice.

If you are unsure whether you can commit to a dog for the rest of your life (regardless of whether you move, change jobs, or get divorced), then please reconsider your decision to adopt a dog. The adoption lasts for the rest of the dog’s life.

Here are some things we insist on when you adopt a Sheltie from us:

The dog must never be taken off the leash unless in a securely fenced yard. This breed is easily startled and runs away.

The dog must be treated with medicines for heartworm and flea prevention for at least 9 months of the year.

The dog must receive regular dental cleanings from your veterinarian.

The dog must be a domestic dog and treated as a family member.

The dog must never be left outside when you are not at home.

The dog must wear its collar and identification tag at all times.

The dog must only be fed premium dog food…..no generic or cheap brand dog food. (We see the damage cheap groceries do all too often)

The process. Here’s how things work………

Once we have reviewed your application and if we have a dog that would be a good match for you, we will begin calling references and your veterinarian. You must have a history of providing excellent healthcare for your current or previous dogs.

Next; we will have someone from our group call you and make an appointment to come to your house to meet you and all your family. Because we work over the internet, we never know who we are dealing with. So please don’t be offended that we have to make sure we send one of our dogs to a good home. We’ve put so much time, work and heart into these dogs, we’re very picky about where they go!! When we come to your home, we don’t look at your housekeeping or financial situation. We simply need to know that you are who you say you are and that you have the resources, knowledge and space to safely care for one of our dogs. Our representative will also be happy to answer any dog ​​grooming questions you may have. Our representative may or may not have the desired dog with them. It depends on where the dog is and where you are and what is doable. But more often than not, the volunteer does NOT have the dog you want with them. .

As soon as you are admitted, you will receive a notification of admission. This letter also contains additional instructions.

Next we will set a time when you can come here and start dating dogs. Our dogs are in foster homes in Central Illinois. This could mean Bloomington, Springfield, Champaign, Peoria or a nearby area. We will try to make the meeting with the dog as pleasant as possible, but you must come here … we do not deliver dogs. If you come to meet the dog(s), you can adopt the dog (ie take it home) that day if we both (you and us) agree that this is the right dog to you.

During the adoption process, we sit down with you and go through the dog’s medical history, behavioral history and overall file history of the dog. We will explain you all the files and what you have to do. You will receive copies of all dog records. We go into detail about the care of your dog and answer your questions. During the adoption, you will also register your new canine microchip online. This requires a credit or debit card through our secure Microchip Register Web Portal. You will also be asked to sign an adoption contract (also viewable online) and lastly… you will be asked to make a donation to CISR of the amount indicated (below). All of our dogs leave us with a new leash and collar. You must bring a tag for your new dog. The label must contain your contact details.

Please allow 30-45 minutes for the adoption process after you have chosen your dog.

pricing

Puppies up to 2 years of age…….. Minimum donation $450

Adults 3-10………. Minimum donation $350

Seniors 11 and up ……… Minimum donation $200

From senior to senior* ………………….Free

*Senior-to-Senior Program: If you are a senior on a budget, we are happy to provide you with a senior or other program candidate dog as a permanent foster dog. No upfront costs for you. You will house, love and pamper the dog for the rest of his life and we will pay for any extraordinary vet bills.

Available only in Central Illinois and you must hire one of our preferred veterinarians for any treatment we offer. They provide the dog food, monthly flea and heartworm maintenance medication, and everything under $100. We provide everything else.

All of our dogs go with the following done:

Spay or neuter (also in puppies)

Vaccination against rabies for a year

DH2PP (Distemper/Parvo Combo Shot)

Bordetella shot (kennel cough)

Heartworm test (and treatment if positive)

Heartworm prevention

Flea Prevention Treatment

dewormed

Groomed

teeth cleaning

Treatment of any medical problem

blood processing

Microchip and registration form (there is an additional $11 fee to register your new dog)

A complete medical record with medical history form is included with each dog.

Rescue is about giving a dog a chance that otherwise wouldn’t get it. If you are thinking of rescuing a Sheltie……Click here to fill out our

The first step to adoption is completing a written application. Applying online is the easiest and quickest way to get started. Also…we do NOT consider applications in the order in which they were received. We are looking for the best fit for our dog!! Applications sent to us by snail mail must be scanned or typed, which takes additional time. Please email us your application. Please be absolutely honest when filling out the application as we match dogs based on the information you provide. If you are annoyed or prefer a particular pet, please let us know. Placing the right dog in the right home is very important to us. Once we have reviewed your application and if we have a dog that would be a good match for you, we will begin calling references and your veterinarian. You must have a history of providing excellent health care for your current or previous dogs. Next; we will have someone from our group call you and make an appointment to come to your house to meet you and all your family. Because we work over the internet, we never know who we are dealing with. So please don’t be offended that we have to make sure we send one of our dogs to a good home. We’ve put so much time, work and heart into these dogs, we’re very picky about where they go!! When we come to your home, we don’t look at your housekeeping or financial situation. We simply need to know that you are who you say you are and that you have the resources, knowledge and space to safely care for one of our dogs. Our representative will also be happy to answer any dog ​​grooming questions you may have. Our representative may or may not have the desired dog with them. It depends on where the dog is and where you are and what is doable. But more often than not, the volunteer does NOT have the dog you want with them. .Once approved, you will receive an approval letter. This letter will also contain further instructions. Next we will set a time when you can come here and start dating dogs. Our dogs are in foster homes in Central Illinois. This could mean Bloomington, Springfield, Champaign, Peoria or a nearby area. We will try to make the meeting with the dog as pleasant as possible, but you must come here … we do not deliver dogs. If you are coming to meet the dog(s), you may adopt the dog (i.e. take it home) that day if we both (you and us) agree that this is the right dog for She. During the adoption process, we sit down with you and go through the dog’s medical history, behavioral history and overall file history of the dog. We will explain you all the files and what you have to do. You will receive copies of all dog records. We go into detail about the care of your dog and answer your questions. During the adoption, you will also register your new canine microchip online. This requires a credit or debit card through our secure Microchip Register Web Portal. You will also be asked to sign an adoption contract (also viewable online) and lastly… you will be asked to make a donation to CISR of the amount indicated (below). All of our dogs leave us with a new leash and collar. You must bring a tag for your new dog. The label must include your contact information. Please allow 30-45 minutes for the adoption process once you have selected your dog………. Minimum donation $350 Seniors 11+ ………. Minimum donation $200 Senior to Senior* …… ……Free*Senior-to-Senior Program: If you are a senior on a budget, we are happy to match you with a senior or other program candidate dog as a permanent foster dog. No upfront costs for you. You will house, love and pamper the dog for the rest of his life and we will pay for any extraordinary vet bills. Available only in Central Illinois and you must consult one of our preferred veterinarians for any care we provide. They provide the dog food, monthly flea and heartworm maintenance medication, and everything under $100. We provide everything else. All of our dogs leave with the following: Neutered or neutered (including puppies) Annual rabies vaccination DH2PP (distemper/parvo combo vaccine) Bordetella vaccination (kennel cough) Heartworm test (and treatment if positive) Heartworm prevention Flea prevention Treatment Dewormed Groomed Teeth cleaning Treatment for all medical issues Blood work Microchip and registration form (for registration of your new dog will incur an additional fee of $11) A complete medical record with medical history is provided with each dog.Rescuing means giving a dog a chance that otherwise wouldn’t have it. If you are thinking of rescuing a Sheltie……..Click here to fill out our online application

This article was co-authored by Brian Bourquin, DVM. Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a veterinarian and owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a three-location veterinary health and veterinary clinic located in South End/Bay Village, The Seaport and Brookline, Massachusetts. The Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventive care, medical and emergency care, soft tissue surgery and dentistry. The clinic also offers specialty services in the areas of behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture and therapeutic laser treatments. The Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and holds a PhD from Cornell University in Veterinary Medicine. This article has been viewed 27,999 times.

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To housetrain your Sheltie, take him outside regularly, such as B. after he wakes up, eats and drinks water so he doesn’t have an accident. You should bring it to the same place every time, e.g. B. in your garden so that it recognizes that it should go to the toilet here. To further encourage your sheltie, praise them every time they get eliminated outside. Remember, if your Sheltie has an accident around the house, do not punish him as this will only scare him of you and will not help him with the house cleaning. Instead, simply clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner that’s safe for pets to avoid another accident in the same area. To learn how to teach your sheltie commands, read more from our veterinary co-author!

Looking for an active and glamorous dog? The Shetland Sheepdog could be just the thing for you. Whether you want to borrow one or get one of your own, we’ve compiled a lot of fun and interesting facts you should know about the breed, courtesy of the Shetland Sheepdog owners in our community.

What is a Shetland Sheepdog?

Native to north-east Scotland, the Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a type of herding dog. They have a thick coat that’s built to withstand the winter elements, and they come in a variety of colors including blue merle, tri-color, and sable.

If you’re looking to brush up on your Shetland Sheepdog knowledge, these books might come in handy.

How Much Exercise Does a Shetland Sheepdog Need?

The Kennel Club describes the Shetland Sheepdog as “virtually tireless”. They are always on the go and very active, requiring up to 1 hour of exercise a day, but they never say no to more.

“Ruby is a very energetic Sheltie who loves to go on extra long walks and does a lot of exercise, but she also loves snuggling on the couch and sleeping in our bed!” – Emma, ​​owner of Ruby.

What is the temperament of a Shetland Sheepdog?

The Sheltie is a glamorous and intelligent dog that is very cheerful and irritable. They are always ready to please and are hardworking. According to The Kennel Club, Shelties are affectionate towards their owners but can be a bit aloof around strangers.

“Brodie is a wonderfully loving and kind Sheltie. He loves walks, playtime and lounging. Brodie is very well socialized and loves meeting new dogs! He has a calming effect on people and is an absolute delight to be around.” – Ben, owner of Brodie.

Are Shetland Sheepdogs easy to train?

Due to their alert nature and herding history, the Sheltie is relatively easy to train. Often used as farm dogs, they make great family pets and many are trained for agility.

“Indie is a very well behaved Sheltie who is a competitive agility dog!” – Monica, owner of Indie.

That being said, here are a few fun quirks some of our members’ pooches have:

Jessica, owner of Pero:

“Pero lives up to his ‘shepherd’ breed and won’t let off the leash around sheep!”

Lili, owner of Shanti:

“Shanti loves cats more than anything and food is always close to her heart!”

Carole, owner of Finlay:

“Finlay is very handsome and he knows it – everywhere he goes he gets a lot of fuss and attention.”

The most common Shetland Sheepdog names on BorrowMyDoggy:

Meryl

Angus

Luke

tammy

Finlay

Does your Shetland Sheepdog’s coat get all over your furniture and carpets? Here’s a quick, easy cleaning trick 🙂

Discuss this article on our Sheltie forums

What’s NOT to love about Shelties? Of course, if you are looking to add a new family member, there are many fantastic breeds to choose from. Your mileage from this list may vary based on what is important to you and your unique family dynamic.

I’ve compiled my personal top 10 list of reasons I think this breed makes the perfect companion. Sheltie lovers can already relate most of this!

(Insert drum roll by David Letterman.)

Shelties are small

I’m not a big dog. Big dogs are strong. Big dogs can be intimidating. Many large dog breeds drool. Large dogs cost more than smaller dogs. Big dogs have big tails that will smack you in the knees and sweep things off coffee tables.

Then there’s the issue no one likes to mention, how dogs greet each other by sniffing. This can lead to awkward moments when your dog’s head is already on your houseguest’s inside leg!

I personally think Shelties are the perfect size for dogs. Typically 13-16 inches tall and weighing 15-23 pounds, they are light enough to pick up and cuddle. They are small enough to play with young children and generally large enough not to be harmed by a child. Their size often reassures those who are normally afraid of dogs.

Shelties are gentle

Shelties were bred to herd. Not for fighting, retrieving or hunting. They are more diplomatic in nature. They enjoy solving problems and working things out. This innate tendency gives them a naturally “gentle” nature when dealing with people. Shelties are very aware of people’s body language and their position in relation to you, and are very attuned to moods.

Shelties will generally either whine, gently nudge you with their nose, or brush you with their whiskers when seeking attention. My Tyler likes to stand with his head between my knees while I prepare his meals at the kitchen counter. When I wear shorts, all I can feel is whiskers on either side of my knees. He’s happy to let me know he’s there – ready and waiting for dinner!

Shelties will often place a toy next to you instead of dropping it on your toes. Shelties can also be gentler with their toys than other breeds. Toys in our house have often been inherited by new “siblings”. We have some stuffed animals that are over 10 years old!

Shelties have also been known to jump up next to you and wait to be offered a seat, rather than just bursting in and flopping down on you. How polite of you!

Shelties are quirky

Have you ever seen a sheltie staring at fish? Have you ever heard a Sheltie howl? My childhood Sheltie hated sewer grates and refused to go near one. My beloved Trevor was just doing counter-clockwise laps around the room… squeaking a toy the whole time. No one has ever accused this breed of having no personality!

Shelties have a lot of joie de vivre. They love to amuse you and make you laugh. If you encourage them, you can bring out their silly side!

Shelties are expressive

If you pay attention, Shelties will show you the many different ways they show their emotions through body language – and via their vocal cords! Yes, they are known for their high-pitched bark, but they can be trained to control their barking, talk when necessary, and even sing! (We’re still working on that trick!) Note, however, that Shelties were definitely designed to be heard, not seen!

Why Do Shelties Bark A Lot? Well, Shelties have a lot to tell! They crave a lot of interaction with their humans and will stay by your side throughout the day just to be close to you. (That means following you everywhere…that includes the bathroom.)

As soon as it’s time to do something else, like eat dinner or go for a walk, they’ll tell you. Our seven year old Sheltie Toby is a particularly bossy Sheltie at dinner. He will rest his head on a nearby couch, chair, or knee and grunt and squeak as he looks at you. No need for a watch. He’ll remind me exactly when it’s dinner time.

Do dogs smile? I know for a fact that Shelties do that! When a Sheltie is happy, his eyes will sparkle and his mouth will open wide and he’ll start puffing at you. You’ll also notice that they pull back the corners of their mouths when they smile instead of just panting. I was able to get Trevor to smile on cue by asking, “Are you smiling?” and then touching the corner of his mouth. He loved this game! The sheltie smile is a wonderful thing!

It’s very easy to communicate with these expressive creatures once you tune into their body language!

Shelties love to play!

Shelties love to run and play. As with most dogs, keep an eye out for the play arch where a game of chase is taking place and you’ll be rushing around the house or garden with that happy Sheltie smile. This game is usually played between dogs, but you can try it too! I bet your sheltie will be over the moon!

While they generally enjoy retrieving, Shelties prefer the hunting portion of the game more than the return! Trevor was only a foot away and wanted me to toss the frisbee. Once caught he would let me reach over and take it back, eager for the next toss! Trevor also loved to keep an eye out for toads on our driveway after an evening rain. He would stand over them and wait for them to hop away! He was so mesmerized that after a while all we had to do was say, “Trevor, where are the toadies?” and his head immediately rolled to the ground, searching for his little friends.

If you really want to make a Sheltie happy, get some dogproof bladders. Most Shelties go insane chasing these magical things and trying to eat them!

Shelties are loyal companions

Shelties want to be with their human at all times, even if that means doing really scary things like getting in the water, which can be scary for most Shelties (although not all fear the wet stuff, some of them love it.) That The cruellest thing you can do to a Sheltie is make him live outside and away from family.

These dogs are 100% guided by your companion, so they’ll be really upset or sad if you leave the house without them. I would definitely not recommend such a bonded breed if you travel a lot. When you take on a Sheltie, you are taking on a new best friend and you must consider their needs in your life.

When my mother-in-law comes to visit, she doesn’t quite get used to the dogs staring at her. She always asks me why they do that! Sheltie lovers know that that just comes with territory, and it means they just want to communicate with you!

Shelties are delicate

Shetland Sheepdogs are so intelligent that they are incredibly sensitive to their environment. As a watchdog, they will alert you to any unusual activity outside or inside the home. That means cars, neighbors’ pets, wildlife, and even children playing. Our Sheltie Tyler will even go so far as to growl at a dropped sock on the stairs or a coat on the back of a chair. If it’s something different or out of the ordinary, you bet we’ll hear about it! You can train your sheltie to curb any excessive barking response, but they are

still highly motivated to stay on guard duty!

Shelties are beautiful

The first thing that strikes you about a Sheltie is how stunningly beautiful they can be. They also come in a range of different coat colors so there is a color for almost everyone!

Although often accompanied by cries of “Look a little Lassie!” or the infamous saying that makes Sheltie people the world over cringe… “Look at that Mini Collie!” In fact, it’s easy for the untrained eye to tell the difference between a Sheltie and a Rough Collie when placed side by side stands. Both are beautiful in their different ways, but Shelties have a very different face profile than Collies. In addition to the difference in size, well-bred Shelties have a more fox-like appearance.

Shelties are very smart!

As the sixth most intelligent dog breed in the world, Shetland Sheepdogs are known to be extremely intelligent.

Originally bred to herd flocks of sheep alone, they have exceptional decision-making skills. You’ll learn new commands in just a handful of repetitions and have the ability to learn hundreds of spoken words. They are also very curious to explore, which makes them easy to train.

I remember a funny story about Trevor and how he trained us to give him what he wanted. A few years ago on a trip to VT we came across a bell maker who made reproductions of antique sleigh style bells that would come on a leather strip for your door. I loved the soft cute chimes they made so we bought one for our back door. Every time the door opened, the bells rang. Beautiful or?

Well one afternoon my husband and I are in the kitchen talking about something and Trevor left to go to the mud room that has this back door. We chatted and heard the bells ringing. We stopped talking, looked at each other and leaned around the corner. Trevor stood at the door and looked at us. I said, “What’s up Trevor, did you ring the bells?” He turned and gently touched the last bell on the string with his nose, then turned back to me, smiling. I laughed and asked if he needed to go on the potty and he did his happy dance and called her a third time. I took the hint and showered it with praise (and took it out, of course!). Such a smart man!

From then on, when he wanted to go out, he rang the bell alone…or when I asked him to do it for me. I never had to train him. He just figured it out himself! That’s one of my sweetest memories of Trevor and the bells still hang on the door to this day. I will always leave the tarnish on the last brass bell from all those wet nose touches as a happy memory of him and our time together.

love shelties

A perfectly sized lap dog, many Shelties love to snuggle up on your lap and enjoy hours of stroking and stroking on your tummy. Some dogs are so content that when you stop, they’ll reach out and pull your hand back to continue petting! In most cases, Shelties are notoriously loyal and affectionate towards their owners, while being wary of strangers, making your relationship with them extra special.

I’ve had many stressful days at work only to come home with a hopping, barking, smiling, over-excited Sheltie. All my problems melt away as soon as I can hug one of my boys.

We have developed a strong bond with our Shelties because of the attention we give them. Mental stimulation is important for this breed. Do that and they will give you their heart, soul and all four paws; it pays you back 1000 times!

What are YOUR top 10 reasons to love Shelties?

Next: How to Find a Lost Sheltie

Back: The Shetland Sheepdog

While it’s true that dogs bark to communicate, excessive or unnecessary barking can be annoying to owners and neighbors. We’re often asked how to get a dog to stop barking and we’ve found that there are a number of methods that can help train your dog to minimize unwanted noises.

But before we dive deeper into how to get your dog to stop barking, understand that no training technique can completely eliminate barking. And we don’t think you would want it.

According to the ASPCA, the most common reasons a dog barks are:

Territorial Barking: A response to intruders, be they humans or animals.

: A reaction to intruders, be they humans or animals. Alarm Barking: A reaction to certain sounds or sights.

: A reaction to certain sounds or sights. Attention seeking: To gain a reward or attention.

: To gain a reward or attention. Greeting: Similar to a person’s “hello,” a dog will bark when encountering a person, and it’s usually a relaxed, non-confrontational bark.

: Much like a person’s “hello,” a dog will bark when encountering a person, and it’s usually a relaxed, non-confrontational bark. Compulsive Barking: This can be for no apparent reason, but the dog becomes restless and may pace.

: This may be for no apparent reason, but the dog becomes restless and may pace. Socially Relieved: A reaction to another dog’s bark.

: A reaction to another dog barking. Frustration-related: A reaction to imprisonment or separation.

As you can see, dogs bark as a simple greeting when startled or in response to a perceived threat, much of which is natural. But barking for attention, out of frustration, and/or compulsively needs to be addressed. And it’s usually wise to teach a dog not to bark when greeting another dog.

Your first step in getting your dog to stop barking should be to figure out why your dog is exhibiting this behavior in the first place, whether it’s barking incessantly or without provocation. This can help determine the best method.

It will take some time and patience to achieve a calmer, less barking animal, but everyone will be happier in the long run. (And those neighbors will really thank you.) You’ll also be more accepted in public and on house calls if your dog is well-behaved. So it’s a win for everyone.

So let’s start with the tips on how to get your dog to stop barking.

7 most recommended training tips to get your dog to stop barking

1. Desensitization

Watch what your dog is barking at. Do they bark at the delivery man every time they come to the door? Or maybe they see a kid riding a bike to school every morning? In these cases, you need to positively desensitize your dog to that stimulus.

If you know when that bicyclist is coming down your street, sit with your dog and wait. When they come into view, reward your dog with a treat and speak to them in a soothing voice. If they get closer, reward them again. As soon as your dog barks, stop the treats.

You have to do this repeatedly for the dog to understand. You can even wave at the driver as a friendly gesture. You might even be lucky and they stop and talk so the dog can get to know them. Eventually, your dog will understand that the treats are better than the bark. They are essentially trained out of habit.

2. Use of Commands

Most dogs are very trainable on commands. How do you get your dog to stop barking with a command? There are several possibilities for this.

According to Cesar Milan: “Tell your dog to stop barking with a look, a sound, or a {gesture}. But don’t stop there. Your dog can pause and then go straight back to what he was doing. His body relaxed, but his brain was still on alert…. Wait for your dog to become fully compliant before returning to what you were doing.”

In other words, follow the gaze or command until the dog has given up the effort. Be patient, calm and consistent.

Others suggest that you start backwards and work your way forward. This means teaching your dog to bark on command. Treat-based training works well for teaching commands. Command them to “talk” and when they do, you can reward them with a treat. Over time, they will bark on command without a treat.

At this point, work your way forward. Use the speak command, then start with the quiet command and give him a treat when he stops barking. Reinforce the calm demeanor with treats over time. Eventually you won’t need the treats and earplugs anymore.

3. Removal of the offending object

Does your dog bark at the squirrels in the garden? And you say you have a lot of them? We don’t recommend eliminating the local squirrel population, but you can remove the visual appeal. Closing the blinds or curtains and keeping them out of certain rooms will remove the animals from their view. If you can’t see the squirrels, don’t bark at them.

Getting your dog to stop barking at noise is another ball game. If they don’t like the sound of the Postbus or the kids playing next door, you can mask the noise with white noise or music. A small desktop fan or radio left on can be both soothing and eliminate outside noise, meaning your dog is calmer and calmer overall.

4. Anti-Stress Devices

For dogs that get stressed when left alone, there are several items on the market that can be helpful.

Stress reducing collars typically use pheromone technology or a herbal blend that helps relieve anxiety. The pheromones mimic the pheromones that nursing dogs release to calm their puppies, while herbal blends simulate pheromones. These are inexpensive and easy to use.

Anxiety wraps or jackets can also be helpful for a stressed or anxious dog that barks a lot. These are now marketed by several different companies and are readily available online and in pet stores. They are made of breathable fabrics that create gentle, sustained pressure that has a calming effect. Some also incorporate the principles of acupressure into their product for added stress relief.

And remember, you can set up an area in the house/yard/garage as a “safe zone” for your dog. A crate with a bed, toys, and plenty of water can keep them feeling safe and secure. You can even leave the crate open and close a door or install a child gate to give them a little extra space. As an additional measure, you can provide white noise or music as an additional sedative.

5. Relieve boredom

Many dogs bark to drive away boredom. They bark when they come home, when they leave, in the house or in the yard. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise.

Tire them out before you leave in the morning and come home at night. This could mean walking or running (good practice for both of you) or throwing the ball for 15 minutes.

6. Dog Bark Spray Collar

We have never advocated using shock collars as a means of training your dog, but spray collars are a fairly harmless alternative that you may find very effective.

Typical spray collars use citronella, an oil extract with a slight lemon scent. When your dog barks, the collar sprays a mist of liquid in their face, distracting them and discouraging them from continuing to bark. Most dogs don’t like the smell and avoid activating the collar. Over time, it should condition the dog to stop excessive barking, and the collar can then be removed.

7. Hire a professional

Hopefully, with a little patience and time, you can train your dog to eliminate most barking behaviors. But as a last resort, there are always professionals to turn to.

Dog trainers, dog whisperers, dog psychologists, dog massage therapists, you name it, they are available. You just have to figure out which one is best for your situation and your dog.

Some take your dog to intensive training for a period of time (usually 1-2 weeks); others will see her regularly for training sessions. In any case, you will also receive further instructions and training techniques from them so that you can continue training at home.

All of these methods are tried and tested when it comes to reducing or eliminating unwanted barking in your furry friend. Which one you use will depend on your dog’s temperament, the reason for barking, and what makes the most sense within your time constraints and budget.

We wish you every success in your efforts to get your dog to stop barking as we know your dog is worth both the time and the investment.

One final note: we do not recommend harsh and intimidating techniques to eliminate barking. These include physically hitting your dog or threatening to hit your dog, using shock collars, or repeatedly yelling. While some advocate a spray bottle of water or foul-smelling liquid, again, this does nothing to address the underlying issue of why your dog is barking. Punishment is never a solution in such cases.

Shelties have a reputation for being vocal dogs, but that may be undeserved. Poorly bred dogs often display a terrier-like personality—hyper and cheerful, always on the go—but can just as easily be overly shy and scared.

The intelligent Sheltie can be trained to be an excellent watchdog, not barking and barking two or three times to alert its owner to a person at the door. You can train your sheltie early on to stop barking once you have established that there is nothing to worry about. If you’re not sure how to do this, ask your breeder or vet for the name of a reputable trainer.

To some degree, “yappiness” varies from person to person, but as a breed, Shelties are known for being vocal. Unlike some smaller breeds that bark but have “baby” voices, Shelties possess a piercing bark. Your neighbors may not appreciate the fact that your dog’s ancestors always lived within three miles of the ocean and needed to be heard over the sound of the surf, the call of sea creatures, the bleating of lambs and the howling of high winds. Someone interested in a Sheltie needs to understand that barking is actually part of what Shelties were bred for.

Be warned, two or more Shelties can be almost impossible to keep still. If noise is an issue with your lifestyle, the Sheltie may not be the right breed for you.

Click here for more information on teaching your dog not to bark.

Thanks to flyinfootwork for the perfect sheltie bark photo!

The Sheltie is native to the rugged Shetland Islands, which lie between Scotland and Norway, about 50 miles north of Scotland and just south of the Arctic Circle. These islands are also home to other small animal breeds such as Shetland ponies and Shetland sheep.

For many years the Shetland Sheepdog was called Toonie, derived from the Norwegian word for farm. Farmers bred the dogs and crossed the border collie with smaller dogs to herd and protect their flocks of Shetland sheep. Some speculate that one of the Shetland Sheepdogs’ duties was to protect the small sheep from birds. In fact, many of today’s Shelties seem to have a passion for chasing birds, and some even attempt to chase down planes and helicopters that fly overhead.

In the early 1800s the Sheltie was introduced to England and Scotland where it was described as a Miniature Collie. On the Shetland Islands, farmers began breeding their little Shelties even smaller and fluffier to sell to visitors to the islands. A Prince Charles Spaniel (a variant of the English Toy Spaniel) and some Pomeranian dogs left on the island by tourists are rumored to have been crossed with the local sheepdogs.

There were so many crossbreeds that by the late 1800s islanders realized the original canine type was disappearing. However, there was much disagreement as to what the original dog had looked like and how to return to it. Some breeders believed they needed to crossbreed with Collies to regain the original type, others felt they should only breed the existing Shelties that came closest to the original type, and others continued to indiscriminately crossbreed with other breeds to create small, handsome pets to develop .

Shelties of all three types were entered in dog shows in the early 20th century up until the First World War. In 1909 the English Kennel Club recognized the breed. A total of 28 Shelties were registered as Shetland Collies (Rough) this year. Four of them still appear in the pedigrees of many modern Sheltie champions: two males named Lerwick Tim and Trim and two females named Inverness Topsy and Inga. The first Sheltie registered by the American Kennel Club was Lord Scott in 1911.

Collie breeders in England, however, were unhappy with the breed’s name and protested to the Kennel Club. This led to the name change to Shetland Sheepdog.

The Shetland Sheepdog caused controversy in both Britain and the United States for many years, with rumors of crossbreeding and long-standing disagreements over what the breed should be like. As a result, many Shetland Sheepdog Clubs were formed to support the differing viewpoints. Finally, in 1930, the Scottish and English Clubs came together and agreed that the dog should “resemble a collie (rough) in miniature”.

US breeders continued to import Shelties from England until the 1950s, but by this time American and British Shelties were beginning to vary greatly in type and size. Today almost all Shetland Sheepdogs in the United States are descended from dogs imported from England between World Wars I and II.

As the breed became better known, their numbers in the United States increased. In the 1970s, their popularity exploded and Shelties appeared on the American Kennel Club’s list of the Ten Most Popular Dogs for 12 of the next 15 years, peaking in the early 1990s. Today, the Sheltie ranks 20th out of the 155 breeds and varieties registered by the American Kennel Club.

And how is the Sheltie doing in its native Shetland Islands? Ironically, he’s fairly rare in his harsh homeland – the breed has been superseded by the Border Collie.

Discuss this article on our Sheltie forums

What’s NOT to love about Shelties? Of course, if you are looking to add a new family member, there are many fantastic breeds to choose from. Your mileage from this list may vary based on what is important to you and your unique family dynamic.

I’ve compiled my personal top 10 list of reasons I think this breed makes the perfect companion. Sheltie lovers can already relate most of this!

(Insert drum roll by David Letterman.)

Shelties are small

I’m not a big dog. Big dogs are strong. Big dogs can be intimidating. Many large dog breeds drool. Large dogs cost more than smaller dogs. Big dogs have big tails that will smack you in the knees and sweep things off coffee tables.

Then there’s the issue no one likes to mention, how dogs greet each other by sniffing. This can lead to awkward moments when your dog’s head is already on your houseguest’s inside leg!

I personally think Shelties are the perfect size for dogs. Typically 13-16 inches tall and weighing 15-23 pounds, they are light enough to pick up and cuddle. They are small enough to play with young children and generally large enough not to be harmed by a child. Their size often reassures those who are normally afraid of dogs.

Shelties are gentle

Shelties were bred to herd. Not for fighting, retrieving or hunting. They are more diplomatic in nature. They enjoy solving problems and working things out. This innate tendency gives them a naturally “gentle” nature when dealing with people. Shelties are very aware of people’s body language and their position in relation to you, and are very attuned to moods.

Shelties will generally either whine, gently nudge you with their nose, or brush you with their whiskers when seeking attention. My Tyler likes to stand with his head between my knees while I prepare his meals at the kitchen counter. When I wear shorts, all I can feel is whiskers on either side of my knees. He’s happy to let me know he’s there – ready and waiting for dinner!

Shelties will often place a toy next to you instead of dropping it on your toes. Shelties can also be gentler with their toys than other breeds. Toys in our house have often been inherited by new “siblings”. We have some stuffed animals that are over 10 years old!

Shelties have also been known to jump up next to you and wait to be offered a seat, rather than just bursting in and flopping down on you. How polite of you!

Shelties are quirky

Have you ever seen a sheltie staring at fish? Have you ever heard a Sheltie howl? My childhood Sheltie hated sewer grates and refused to go near one. My beloved Trevor was just doing counter-clockwise laps around the room… squeaking a toy the whole time. No one has ever accused this breed of having no personality!

Shelties have a lot of joie de vivre. They love to amuse you and make you laugh. If you encourage them, you can bring out their silly side!

Shelties are expressive

If you pay attention, Shelties will show you the many different ways they show their emotions through body language – and via their vocal cords! Yes, they are known for their high-pitched bark, but they can be trained to control their barking, talk when necessary, and even sing! (We’re still working on that trick!) Note, however, that Shelties were definitely designed to be heard, not seen!

Why Do Shelties Bark A Lot? Well, Shelties have a lot to tell! They crave a lot of interaction with their humans and will stay by your side throughout the day just to be close to you. (That means following you everywhere…that includes the bathroom.)

As soon as it’s time to do something else, like eat dinner or go for a walk, they’ll tell you. Our seven year old Sheltie Toby is a particularly bossy Sheltie at dinner. He will rest his head on a nearby couch, chair, or knee and grunt and squeak as he looks at you. No need for a watch. He’ll remind me exactly when it’s dinner time.

Do dogs smile? I know for a fact that Shelties do that! When a Sheltie is happy, his eyes will sparkle and his mouth will open wide and he’ll start puffing at you. You’ll also notice that they pull back the corners of their mouths when they smile instead of just panting. I was able to get Trevor to smile on cue by asking, “Are you smiling?” and then touching the corner of his mouth. He loved this game! The sheltie smile is a wonderful thing!

It’s very easy to communicate with these expressive creatures once you tune into their body language!

Shelties love to play!

Shelties love to run and play. As with most dogs, keep an eye out for the play arch where a game of chase is taking place and you’ll be rushing around the house or garden with that happy Sheltie smile. This game is usually played between dogs, but you can try it too! I bet your sheltie will be over the moon!

While they generally enjoy retrieving, Shelties prefer the hunting portion of the game more than the return! Trevor was only a foot away and wanted me to toss the frisbee. Once caught he would let me reach over and take it back, eager for the next toss! Trevor also loved to keep an eye out for toads on our driveway after an evening rain. He would stand over them and wait for them to hop away! He was so mesmerized that after a while all we had to do was say, “Trevor, where are the toadies?” and his head immediately rolled to the ground, searching for his little friends.

If you really want to make a Sheltie happy, get some dogproof bladders. Most Shelties go insane chasing these magical things and trying to eat them!

Shelties are loyal companions

Shelties want to be with their human at all times, even if that means doing really scary things like getting in the water, which can be scary for most Shelties (although not all fear the wet stuff, some of them love it.) That The cruellest thing you can do to a Sheltie is make him live outside and away from family.

These dogs are 100% guided by your companion, so they’ll be really upset or sad if you leave the house without them. I would definitely not recommend such a bonded breed if you travel a lot. When you take on a Sheltie, you are taking on a new best friend and you must consider their needs in your life.

When my mother-in-law comes to visit, she doesn’t quite get used to the dogs staring at her. She always asks me why they do that! Sheltie lovers know that that just comes with territory, and it means they just want to communicate with you!

Shelties are delicate

Shetland Sheepdogs are so intelligent that they are incredibly sensitive to their environment. As a watchdog, they will alert you to any unusual activity outside or inside the home. That means cars, neighbors’ pets, wildlife, and even children playing. Our Sheltie Tyler will even go so far as to growl at a dropped sock on the stairs or a coat on the back of a chair. If it’s something different or out of the ordinary, you bet we’ll hear about it! You can train your sheltie to curb any excessive barking response, but they are

still highly motivated to stay on guard duty!

Shelties are beautiful

The first thing that strikes you about a Sheltie is how stunningly beautiful they can be. They also come in a range of different coat colors so there is a color for almost everyone!

Although often accompanied by cries of “Look a little Lassie!” or the infamous saying that makes Sheltie people the world over cringe… “Look at that Mini Collie!” In fact, it’s easy for the untrained eye to tell the difference between a Sheltie and a Rough Collie when placed side by side stands. Both are beautiful in their different ways, but Shelties have a very different face profile than Collies. In addition to the difference in size, well-bred Shelties have a more fox-like appearance.

Shelties are very smart!

As the sixth most intelligent dog breed in the world, Shetland Sheepdogs are known to be extremely intelligent.

Originally bred to herd flocks of sheep alone, they have exceptional decision-making skills. You’ll learn new commands in just a handful of repetitions and have the ability to learn hundreds of spoken words. They are also very curious to explore, which makes them easy to train.

I remember a funny story about Trevor and how he trained us to give him what he wanted. A few years ago on a trip to VT we came across a bell maker who made reproductions of antique sleigh style bells that would come on a leather strip for your door. I loved the soft cute chimes they made so we bought one for our back door. Every time the door opened, the bells rang. Beautiful or?

Well one afternoon my husband and I are in the kitchen talking about something and Trevor left to go to the mud room that has this back door. We chatted and heard the bells ringing. We stopped talking, looked at each other and leaned around the corner. Trevor stood at the door and looked at us. I said, “What’s up Trevor, did you ring the bells?” He turned and gently touched the last bell on the string with his nose, then turned back to me, smiling. I laughed and asked if he needed to go on the potty and he did his happy dance and called her a third time. I took the hint and showered it with praise (and took it out, of course!). Such a smart man!

From then on, when he wanted to go out, he rang the bell alone…or when I asked him to do it for me. I never had to train him. He just figured it out himself! That’s one of my sweetest memories of Trevor and the bells still hang on the door to this day. I will always leave the tarnish on the last brass bell from all those wet nose touches as a happy memory of him and our time together.

love shelties

A perfectly sized lap dog, many Shelties love to snuggle up on your lap and enjoy hours of stroking and stroking on your tummy. Some dogs are so content that when you stop, they’ll reach out and pull your hand back to continue petting! In most cases, Shelties are notoriously loyal and affectionate towards their owners, while being wary of strangers, making your relationship with them extra special.

I’ve had many stressful days at work only to come home with a hopping, barking, smiling, over-excited Sheltie. All my problems melt away as soon as I can hug one of my boys.

We have developed a strong bond with our Shelties because of the attention we give them. Mental stimulation is important for this breed. Do that and they will give you their heart, soul and all four paws; it pays you back 1000 times!

What are YOUR top 10 reasons to love Shelties?

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