Start by letting him start barking, then when stops barking, say "Quiet" in a firm commanding voice and give him plenty of praise and a treat or two. Repeat until he associates the cue "Quiet" with stopping the noise and getting a treat.
Australian Shepherds will bark at strangers, loud noises, and other animals as a way of getting rid of all that excess energy. More so, they can display the same type of behavior towards squirrels, thunderstorms, or even a passing car.
A popular method of curtailing excessive barking is teaching the “quiet” command. Use a calm, firm voice to tell your dog to be “quiet” and positively reinforce correct behavior with treats and affection.
The Quiet Method
Once your dog starts barking in the presence of a stranger, let them bark a few times. Then, gently hold their muzzle and say, “Quiet.” Avoid shouting, as that produces negative reinforcement. Take your hands off their muzzle. If they remain quiet, reward them with a treat.
We only recommend static electric bark collars for adult Australian Shepherds. Static electric bark collars deliver the most consistent form of correction. Australian Shepherd owners don't find much success with citronella spray collars because of the length of their dog's coat.
Most Australian Shepherds should begin calming down at two years of age. At this point, they're considered mature dogs who can better regulate their energy. That said, not all Aussies will tone it down at this age. It may take them reaching seniority for their energy to drop off.
Electronic anti-barking devices inflict pain and distress on the animal and therefore should not be used. This type of behavioural modification does not tend to be successful because it fails to address the underlying cause of the behaviour.
First of all – it is not a natural or healthy behavior for a dog to bark for prolonged periods of time. Barking is an expression of excitement or stress. While short bursts of excitement and stress are normal and not a concern, this state should not continue for hours.
The answer is no — Australian shepherds are not inherently aggressive dogs. That being said, any dog of virtually any breed can display aggression given certain circumstances. For the most part, the Australian shepherd is a kind-hearted, loyal, protective dog who tends to develop very strong bonds with its owners.
Dog pawing behavior is a natural and inherent way for your puppy or adult dog to get you to “focus” on them. Depending on how often your dog resorts to this method, it can be an acceptable or annoying habit. Pawing communicates, “Hey, you up there, it's me down here. I want your attention, and I want it NOW!”
Australian Shepherds are vocal because of their herding heritage. Australian shepherds are a vocal breed of dog due to their herding heritage. To do their jobs well, they must be vocal to communicate with their livestock and keep them safe.
Tell your dog "Quiet" and then punish every single bark after the warning signal. This will teach your pet to be quiet before getting punished. You must also reward quiet times for it to work properly. Note: never physically punish your pet.
Persistent dog barking is not acceptable by law but before you take any formal action, it might be worth visiting your neighbours first and explain the situation to them as they may not be aware that there is a problem.
Common causes of excessive or inappropriate barking are: excitement; boredom; anxiety; disturbances and attention-seeking behaviour. Address the reason for the unwanted barking and you will reduce it. Always remember to reward your dog's quiet behaviour." Read on to find out more.
Unfortunately, dogs do not get tired of barking. This is typical behavior. It may seem like it would take a significant amount of energy to make them stop, but it doesn't. Barking is a dog's form of communication.
Barking at things outside can become a natural behavior for our dogs as they seek out a “job” as protector of the household. When they bark, they are alerting us to what they perceive as potential dangers.
If you are a first-time owner, you're probably wondering, at what age will my Mini Aussie calm down?! All puppies and young dogs experience a period of extreme activity. In Aussies, it should stop at around 2-3 years of age. But don't worry!