new member from california =)

[MyDarlingGracie]

I have a sheltie that we got as a 9wk puppy girl we named Gracie last year from GA. She is a beautiful and smart sable and white pup with great playful energy and is such a loving and sweet girl!!! Thing is-- she started out shy and despite many many socialization attempts she is still shy and nervous. She hates walks in the neighborhood (I have to drag her for 1st 1/4 of the way ) but does great on hikes and walks in nature and refuses to play with other dogs at dog park and other dog homes or parks but will play like crazy at our house with dogs she's very familiar with. We had a great sheltie named Cody before that we had as a pup til 13yrs old and he was never shy or afraid of anything. We are more than patient with our Gracie and have taken her to obedience class which she did well in but took 3-4 times to interact with other dogs. Any suggestions? We've tried treats to coax walks and would like if we could help her out of her shell. If I could figure out how to post picts, I would =) thank you!

[Calliesmom]

Welcome
we love pix

to post pix in the thread you must be a premium member or you can post links to pix on photo sharing sites. I use Flickr and Shutterfly.

as for pup not wanting to play with other dogs, some dogs only like to play with those they know well. if she isn't afraid of the other dogs and does fine with people, then I wouldn't worry about it.

one of my shelties will play with just about anyone and the other likes to play with dogs that she already knows......

[Chris]

It sounds as if something happened to make her fearful -- and idea what? Beckon, our boy, dislikes other dogs except for his pack -- we simply accept it.

[Emmasmom]

Welcome, can't wait to see pix of your Gracie.

Just a thought, when you are walking in the neighbourhood, is it on cement or pavement? She may not like the artificial surfaces.

As to interacting with other dogs, some Shelties are shyer and don't interact as much with dogs outside of their comfort zone, i.e. their own home.

[dmeyer123]

Hi and welcome! We are from California, too....Chino.

I think you are on the right track by slowly introducing Gracie to new things. Like others have said, some shelties just aren't going to be big on playing with other dogs. Lexi doesn't want anything to do with other dogs, but plays like crazy with our other two at home. Pyper is a bit more social with dogs, but still shy to jump in and play with high energy dogs. Both of mine are nuts over people!

[MyDarlingGracie]

Thank you so much for your replies!

CalliesMom- she is fine with all dogs and ppl just doesn't play-- such a sweetie she just wants to cuddle with the ppl =)

Chris-- haven't any clue if anything has traumatized her. She's been the same way since we got her and we are nothing but loving to her. She is very smart, just cautious with others that she doesn't know well. Are shelties big on packs?

EmmasMom--I agree that she may not like the concrete vs nature-type surfaces but it's just so strange that she will protest the beginning of our walks in neighborhood but will be fine once we get to a certain point. We just deal with it =)

DM from Chino-- We are in Vacaville =) thank you for your comparisons with your pups and their play styles. Cute names Lexi & Pyper =) Gracie loves our persian cats (my girl is Lexi =)) and our other dog, he's just old and doesn't play. We've thought about getting a younger dog for her to play with but afraid it'd backfire on us and give us more work and with our luck she wouldn't play with it or they'd tag team and rip up my house or yard LOL... =) But my pretty girl loves ppl too and is a little cuddle bug with anyone that gets to her level. Can't resist her!!!

Thank you all sooo much, I have new hope. I think she's just an old soul in her sweet puppy (16mos) body with a mind of her own for sure!!