What color type is my shepherd? Biting/Barking question

[marinehoney]

I have no idea what color type my shepherd is. I am thinking she is a sable or maybe a blanket type? I would like opinions on this. Also, my 7 month old female shepherd does not bark. We just got her a few weeks ago. I have tried everything to get her to bark and she just wont, it is concerning me. Last question, she bites! Playfully, but it HURTS. When we try to get her to stop she just comes at us more forcefully. How do we get her to stop biting, start barking, and what color type is she? Thanks in advance! There are more pictures of her in my profile album.

[KZoppa]

okay.... first, can you post a picture of the dog in question regarding color? that would help greatly. Heck even a couple pictures.

second, as to the 7 month old, read the bite inhibition threads. As for the barking, my bitch is almost 2 years old and she's not a barker. The ONLY time she barks if when she thinks she needs to be out of her crate (usually only when the family is eating dinner) or i tell her to speak. She doesnt even bark at the door when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. She doesnt bark at people who get too close to the car. Now she alerts but only does so by perking her ears and/or standing up and going to the door. Thats just how she is. She's quiet. She is a talkative girl though with whines and groans and she does "argue" when told to do something she doesnt think is important but does it anyway.... kinda like a teenager. lol. Some dogs just dont bark.

BTW, welcome to the board. Stationed at Lejeune or Cherry Point?

[Midnight12]

My 2 year old female does'nt bark much either and I kinda like it that way. She does whine sometimes and howls if my phone is ringing and I don't hear it

[marinehoney]

I am not sure how to post pictures, If you go to my profile, you can see an album of her though. We are at lejeune. I want her to bark at strangers and intruders, but she wont.

[dawnandjr]

Well you can have my Bella then, she is quite protective and barks at the wind blowing. Be careful what you wish for.

[marinehoney]

I love that name, Bella. Mine is Rogue. I dont mind a barking dog. My previous GSD (trouble) was a barker.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by marinehoney

I am not sure how to post pictures, If you go to my profile, you can see an album of her though. We are at lejeune. I want her to bark at strangers and intruders, but she wont.

Just because she doesn't bark doesn't mean she won't stop an intruder. They will be quite shocked to come face to face with her Mine barks when she's playing with the other dogs and she talks back to anyone that is not doing what she wants but when outside and she sees a stranger she goes into full alert mode, gives a little bark, and just stares like she can see right through them...and she is only almost 5 months

[marinehoney]

The only time Ihave ever heard her bark was in her sleep, lol. But she does whine alot. I have never heard a growl either. She used to live in townhomes and I think she was probably punished for barking.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by dawnandjr

Well you can have my Bella then, she is quite protective and barks at the wind blowing. Be careful what you wish for.

I have the other end of the spectrum. After Heidi and I got to know each other, if she barked and it wasn't because another dog barked at her, I picked up the gun. Abby is much the same, although if I tease her before we go on a walk, which we always do (that is I never tease her and then don't take her) she will bark at me! She doesn't seem to bark at much else though.

I think I like it that way...

[KZoppa]

She's a blanket back black and tan.

As for the barking or lack of it actually, I'd prefer if my girl at least alert barked but she doesnt. Thats just how she is. Plus your pup is still young. With some dogs the alert barking comes with maturity. Others are just quiet. I have a sign posted in our front door that says dogs are on the premisis so its not like people dont know they're here and if they didnt believe it, our male will certainly let them know. Unfortunately he barks at everything so i dont really trust his alert skills. lol.

We just left Lejeune May 2011. Lived in TT2. We were so glad to get out of there lol.