[mommybean]

We recently adopted an 8-10 week old male Australian Shephard mix from a lady who rescued him from the side of the road. (out here in KY, people just randomly dump puppies and the shelters are very very full). His main problem is he is just plain LOUD. I know part of this is personality, but I think part might be his breed, since I get the impression sometimes that he is trying to herd us, especially my two kids (2 1/2 years and 10 months). Telling him "no bark" just makes him bark, whine and grrrr even louder.

I plan on getting him neutered in the next few weeks, as well as our 1 year old female lab/great dane mix (who is VERY VERY quiet and always has been).

I KNOW he is just a little puppy, but is there a way to effectively train him to be a quieter dude?

[LadyA]

Yes, and no....(not really an answer, right? lol) It is possible to train him to not be quite as "vocal" but just like people, some like to talk a lot, and others are very quiet. I have a German Shepherd who "talks" constantly. No amount of "shhh" or "enough" will stop her...but it's part of her charm. You could try an animal behaviorist, and see what they say, but you may just have to chalk it up to a "chatty dog". Herding is most definitely a "shepherd" thing! Mine herds me constantly!! But after 10 years, we have learned to adapt. We also used to have a beagle/lab cross who never said a word for the first 7 months of her life, then one day she was laying on her back, wiggling around, and discovered she could bark...then we had to tolerate 12 years of her just "talking to herself" whenever she felt the need. It's quite funny, when you think about it, though not so funny when you are trying to sleep, or when you are actually listening to it 24 / 7. Good luck, and congrats on your new "little talker"!