My new puppy

[PieSweetie]

Hi eveyone,
This is my first post, came to this forum to find out more about Shelties. I recently purchased my fist Sheltie puppy, 12 weeks old. Named her Little Kelsey Girl..mom and dad champions and no plans on showing her..just want to love her. She i just beautiful and so dainty. She prances when she walks and her and my cat are inseperable..they have become in the first week best friends. Kelsey, is he sweetest dog I have ever had and falling deeply in love with her.

Need some advise from other Sheltie owners. We live in Chicago suburb and it is very cold here. Trying to potty train her outside, she shivers and afraid to keep her out to long. She has a little sweater but her feet get cold quickly and she starts to shake within 5-10 minutes. She loves to run around the yard but seems to not take to the cold so well ,even though she loves to be outside. How long should she stay outside? I reward her each time she goes outside and take her out each hour and she likes this but it takes her a long time to go potty, just don't want her to get sick. Any advise? I have had many dogs in my life but always have been large breeds so a smaller breed I am not familiar with..but very happy with with my choice.

[jenesmomma]

hey there, congrats on the new pup!! i just got my first sheltie a few months back. jene was around the same age as your kelsey girl and was the same way. luckily though, after he hit around four months-ish he didnt have that problem anymore. i did get him little jacket, the sweater wasnt really enough for him for awhile. it velcros under the belly and around the neck. i feel your pain about the shaking and the little paws getting so cold. right now i dont know what to do because he keeps getting ice stuck between his paws when we go on walks. its so cold!! as for how long he shoul be out, i only did 3 mins or less if he actually went. i read somewhere that 3 mins is more than enough time for a dog, and he'll learn that he only has that short amount and go faster than just sniffing around and playing. :) best of luck, and congrats!!

[mellie]

Welcome to sheltie land ! Sure would love to see a picture of your little cutie. Should be ok outside for potty breaks and romps in the sun and when she seems cold or shivering too much go inside to warm up. Enjoy her now because she will be grown up before you know it.

[Dexter'sMom]

Welcome and congratulations!!!
I agree a quick outside trip when it's really cold.....about 20 minutes after feeding....is a good place to start. After a while they try to get out just for the treat!!
Enjoy your baby..it's so true...they grow up way too fast...take Lots of pictures and of course show them to us...we love pictures...especially baby pictures.
Seem to be puppy season here at Sheltie Nation.....

[Chris]

Welcome to Sheltie Nation! I got Layla in February of 2006. She had the same issues -- but she learned to go quickly! I would scoop her up and tuck her inside my parka as soon as she was finished.

[corbinam]

Welcome!

I agree with jenesmomma. I would spend no more than 3-5 minutes walking her outside, then come in and watch her like a hawk. Try again a few minutes later, and repeat. Praise and reward when she goes. Bet it won't take long for her to figure it out.

[mbfrench]

In winter,I think they learn quicker as they don't want to be cold. You will have no problems,shelties are extremely smart.

Sounds like she is just precious,pictures please?? And warning..one sheltie,leads to two..then sometimes 3...and for us we have 4~

[arcticracer]

We live in one of the coldest places in Alaska and have found that playtime outside is a joy when our Shelties are wearing their booties. We just came out of a cold spell that reached about 45 below and yes, they still go outside for potty and a brief playtime.

Myles our new puppy is about 11 weeks old, he gets cold the quickest of course but with booties on he can get a few good minutes before we have to go in. The booties are nothing more than polar fleece tubes with velcro bands which go around the ankle. Your local pet store should have them, or you can get them online. They are cheap we pay about $1.50 each up here at the local feed/pet store.