1st Time Sheltie Owner!
- Thread starter TaraLynn
- Start date
Christilyn
Forums Novice
Welcome to the forum!, I'm new too! Since I received my Sheltie as a gift two days before Christmas, and he was 6 1/2 weeks old. I had a lot to learn. I found a puppy site online and learned about the crate. But I didn't know that you aren't suppose to isolate the puppy from you. I had him in the basement bathroom in the crate! My Bro in Law was over and has had a few dogs that when he heard Timmy howling & whimpering from where he was in the garage. He would come down and visit the pup and mention that pups don't like to be alone.
I emailed the website again and asked how long he is suppose to stay in the crate. I learned it was okay to have him by my bedside, and if he whimpered to just reassure the pup and gently tell him to be quiet.
Also, he told me how long to keep him in the crate and that dogs normally will not urinate in their home, the crate. Also, I think there was a guide as to when to take him out of the crate to tinkle.
I also covered our kingsize bed with a waterproof bed cover. It was felted on top, so it was comfortable and not crinkly sounding. I bought a queen size one and laid it on top of the bed and also made sure the mattress was protected by using crib water proof mattress pads.
This was for when we had him with us on the bed playing and sleeping during the day. Gradually it wasn't needed anymore. One of my sons noticed that he would hit the bells that were hanging on the doorknob of the front door.
Since it was Christmas, I had a leather strip with good sized bells attached to it and was hung on the doorknob. This son, David, was attached to Timmy as well and played with him a lot and saw that he had hit the bells with his front paw, signaling he wanted out to potty. I wasn't sure he was right until I heard the bells ring and Timmy was right there. Eventually, he just had to stand by the door and whimper if we don't see him, and he does that at any door now.
Then I read a training tip of tying a small bell on a string to the door knob and gradually raise it to train a dog.
Another thing my son, David would do, is lay plastic all over his downstairs bedroom and lay his mattress on the floor so that he could sleep with Timmy while he was little and not ruin the floor. The business we own uses lots of rolls of plastic, so that was convenient.
I did buy a puppy training book and a book on Shelties after Christmas was over.
I emailed the website again and asked how long he is suppose to stay in the crate. I learned it was okay to have him by my bedside, and if he whimpered to just reassure the pup and gently tell him to be quiet.
Also, he told me how long to keep him in the crate and that dogs normally will not urinate in their home, the crate. Also, I think there was a guide as to when to take him out of the crate to tinkle.
I also covered our kingsize bed with a waterproof bed cover. It was felted on top, so it was comfortable and not crinkly sounding. I bought a queen size one and laid it on top of the bed and also made sure the mattress was protected by using crib water proof mattress pads.
This was for when we had him with us on the bed playing and sleeping during the day. Gradually it wasn't needed anymore. One of my sons noticed that he would hit the bells that were hanging on the doorknob of the front door.
Since it was Christmas, I had a leather strip with good sized bells attached to it and was hung on the doorknob. This son, David, was attached to Timmy as well and played with him a lot and saw that he had hit the bells with his front paw, signaling he wanted out to potty. I wasn't sure he was right until I heard the bells ring and Timmy was right there. Eventually, he just had to stand by the door and whimper if we don't see him, and he does that at any door now.
Then I read a training tip of tying a small bell on a string to the door knob and gradually raise it to train a dog.
Another thing my son, David would do, is lay plastic all over his downstairs bedroom and lay his mattress on the floor so that he could sleep with Timmy while he was little and not ruin the floor. The business we own uses lots of rolls of plastic, so that was convenient.
I did buy a puppy training book and a book on Shelties after Christmas was over.
Chris
Premium Member
Christilyn, it sounds as if you're a natural. Lucky, lucky puppy to get you as a Mommy! 