The excessive barking comes from their breed ancestry. Shetland Sheepdogs were bred for many generations to guard and herd flocks of sheep, so your pet today is genetically primed to be an alarm dog. Her hyper-vigilance makes her compelled to alert you to any changes in the environment which could signify trouble.

How do you stop a Sheltie from barking?

You can teach them to cease their barking by stopping the action that excites them. For example, if you are headed to get the leash off the hanger by the door and your Sheltie begins barking excitedly, stop your movement toward the leash. Don't yell or scold, just freeze.

Do Sheltie dogs bark a lot?

Shelties can be reserved with strangers, although not aggressive. They're very protective of their family and quick to bark to let you know someone's coming, which makes them good watchdogs. Speaking of barking, this is a vocal dog that likes to bark … a lot.