Kelpie barking at night

Hi, my 2 year kelpie is wonderful all day. We play with her lots, and she has her basketball and small tennis balls she plays with during the day. She only barks when she hears the postie or garbage trucks. Now in the evening when it is time for her to go out to bed, she runs around and barks at nothing, or if she hears a dog in the background she will bark. She will be quiet for about 10 minutes, then she will let the neighbours know she is awake. We have to get up and scold her and tell her to keep quiet. This lasts for about 5 minutes, then she is off again. I have to keep her inside at night and I don't want that as I want her to be a watchdog. Any ideas.
Posted: 17/05/2008 

Answer: Kelpie barking at night
She is taking your negative response for barking as 'better something than nothing'! I really feel she is just doing it for the attention. Keplie's are smart cookies! Since she is inside now, why not look in to crate training (check out the link on the main Ask Bec page) and then she and her crate can eventually be moved back inside.
Posted: 17/05/2008