My grandmother lives alone in a house and she has a Shetland Sheepdog that spends its time in the fenced-in backyard. Her garage is in the front and when she pulls into the driveway, her Sheltie Captain, he starts barking and doesn't stop until he hears her go in the house. She loves Captain but is very annoyed with this behavior for safety reasons. She doesn't live in the best neighborhood and she doesn't want people to realize that Captain barking means she just came home and is probably fumbling with her keys right now. I currently am helping her train him on basic obedience commands but I'm stumped on this one especially since I am not there every time she comes home to tell her what to do or do it myself. Please help. Thanks!

[reeskujo]

Why isn't the dog in the house when she's gone?

The dog is being a dog. Dogs are pack animals, and don't like being alone. It may still bark while being inside, but it wouldn't alert the neighborhood as easily. The only time my dogs are outside, is when I am with them, and they have learned the quiet command, and listen to it well. But, they are with us all the time.

She doesn't like pets inside because of pet hair and she just has never had animals inside.

So, what? We should say, so you have a dog, but don't want to deal?

for me this dog needs to be rehomed.
this breed is adept to outdoor conditions,but used more today for show.
the sheltie can adapt to the backyard,as long as it gets regular interaction with its owner.
does this dog get walked? does it get attention? does it get love?
people realising your dog barking,means gran is fumbling for her keys means what?
sounds to me the dog is a nuisance.
tell me your gran thinks otherwise!

Originally Posted by k-9fanatic

My grandmother lives alone in a house and she has a Shetland Sheepdog that spends its time in the fenced-in backyard. Her garage is in the front and when she pulls into the driveway, her Sheltie Captain, he starts barking and doesn't stop until he hears her go in the house. She loves Captain but is very annoyed with this behavior for safety reasons. She doesn't live in the best neighborhood and she doesn't want people to realize that Captain barking means she just came home and is probably fumbling with her keys right now. I currently am helping her train him on basic obedience commands but I'm stumped on this one especially since I am not there every time she comes home to tell her what to do or do it myself. Please help. Thanks!

From my little experience i think you should keep some toy or something your dog likes near the entrance of the gate which you can pick up and toss it to him while you get home and he gets distracted by owner and stops barking.

hope it works cause thats what i do when my dad is around as he doesnt want to hear my dog barking. so yeah works for me.

Regards
~ZODI.