Shelties - Barking

Question
Hello - we are looking to purchase our first dog.  We have all agreed that a Sheltie seems to make a wonderful pet.  My concern is that they have the tendency to bark.  If this becomes an issue, can they be trained not to bark or could we train to at least minimize the barking.
I work 5 hours per day in town.  We plan to keep her indoors, crate train, get obedience training, and socialize.

Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Theresa!

I'm glad you are making all of these wise decisions up front.  They will pay off in a better dog.

First let me say that virtually any dog from any breed can have a tendancy to bark.  In my experience the barking is mostly an issue if you do not teach them from being a puppy not to bark.  

I say "mostly" because some dogs are more high strung and/or neurotic than others -again in any breed.  Remember in context that the duty of a hearding dog is to protect the herd from perceived dangers.  My oldest Sheltie thinks the vacuum cleaner and the electric can opener are threats to the family.  We have had other Shelties that were very calm around noise; but all Shelties react to a knock at the door or a doorbell.  Including the one in the recent Domino's Pizza advertisements ("get the door it's Domino's" with the doorbell).

Most Shelties will work hard to please their owners and if barking is clearly a problem they usually respond to your training.  

If you go to a reputable breeder and spend the money $400+ for a good pup with a health guarantee you should find it to be a fairly intelligent and "non-spastic" sheltie as well.  Follow up with socialization from from 13 weeks on and definitely do the obedience training.  

You can't perfectly predict the pup's personality.  However a lot of patience and love go a long way toward getting the correct response from a Sheltie.

Hope that helps!
'sneezes
Dave