6 month boy still very high strung

[Caro]

It could happen....Puppyhood doesn't always determine what the adult behavior will be. I had serious doubts with Savannah, now she is the girl I wanted.

I agree. He's been a puppy and now going into adolescence, so it's not unusual for him to squirm away.

I'm a firm believer that if you can teach and dog to sit, drop and stay you can teach a dog to cuddle. And I've always had cuddly dogs. But at this age he's unlikely to like it a heap. One thing we teach in class to get a young dog to enjoy touch is to have owners massage their dogs, around the shoulders and down the back. Massage is also a good way to teach a dog to unwind and relax. You can also try giving him a reward when he lets you have a cuddle.

Some Shelties just are naturally highly strung, it's the sheepdog in them. A sheepdog with a job, one that gets to think, is a much happier dog.

You can teach them to focus. The modified NILIF program is an excellent way to teach self restraint. You ask for a behaviour from your dog (eg sit, drop, shake hands, whatever you choose) before getting to do something he enjoys. So that's before he eats, plays, goes on a walk - anything that he wants he needs to step back and think about something and focus first. Going through obedience commands and teaching tricks is also another good way to teach self control.

Also think about giving his meals in treat dispensers. Make him work for his food. Dogs actually love it because it gives them a job and uses their brains.

 

[tesslynn]

High energy dogs are usually quite clever, and they just need that channeled to right behavior. He might just need jobs right now to put that energy into use. Give him tasks, or maybe he needs a sport. Savannah needed w-i-d-e open spaces to run, she was easier to manage after she put that energy to use.

 

[Silaria]

Hi, my boy has just turned 6 months and is still all "puppy!" I need some advice on him because my other one has always had a very calm nature. He has not been neutered yet, if that could possibly be a factor. I plan on doing it at around 7.5 months.

All dogs are going to do be different. This little guy is simply more active than your previous dog. Neutering might calm him down a little but not to the completely calm level you may have in your head.

I neutered my boy at 15 months and he's still a bundle of energy.

But he is very high-strung, does not like to cuddle, and squirms out of your arms if you try to hold him too long. He does get plenty of exercise. He is reaching that adolescent stage also.

As you said, he's reaching adolescence. When it came to cuddles, it was sometimes best to let my pup come over to me when he wanted loving. Sure I would pick him up, give him a few quick pets and scritches then let him go again. Mostly I played with him instead of cuddling with him.

This is my first male sheltie, any input on how normal this is at this age and the difference neutering makes? Also, what are some things I can do training wise with him to get him to be calmer? Thanks!

I was going to mention training when you said he gets plenty of exercise but, since you asked here, I'll answer it here.

Unlike exercise, training will tire him out in a different way - mentally instead of physically. There are a few different options for training:
(1) Register for an in person class in your area such as AKC STAR Puppy, CGC, Rally, Obedience, Agility, Flyball, Treibbal etc. Check your local Humane Society, or other shelters, to see if they offer training classes. When I first started looking for classes I Googled Dog Training +Pittsburgh.
(2) Look at YouTube videos for how to train tricks.
(3) Check out the Do More With Your Dog website. They offer Trick Dog titles and have free classes via Facebook groups to help you train the tricks.

 

[Calliesmom]

Three boys all neutered over 1 yr old- personality wise and energy levels, there was no change. the only really behavioral change was Jocu stopped marking everything after he was neutered.

 

[Fireweed]

Ooooh boy, this sounds familiar. I have a just turned one year old boy (Piper's brother actually!) and he's still a bundle of energy, some days I feel even more so than when he was younger!

We go to the dog park for an hour and the entire time he's playing and running and chasing, and that barely puts a dent in his energy! haha

My guy does like cuddling though - he's a huge baby like that, but not for super long. He's got things to do and places to be!

Barley isn't neutered either, and we don't plan on neutering him. Neutering won't do anything to calm them down, except maybe make them more prone to weight gain, which isn't great.

I think the answer is just keep them busy and wait for maturity - and I do think boys mature slower. At least they're not like labs who never grow up!

Maybe you can put him in doggie daycare once or twice a week? That might let him burn off some energy.

 

[SKNerissa]

I agree with Silaria about the training. Not only will it help by exercising the brain and body but it will strengthen the bond between you and your dog and thus help you towards the goal of getting him to be more cuddly. Frequent handling is also very good at this stage. As Caro said, massages can help. If he won't tolerate that level of touching then just start small. Stroke his chest or scratch his ears before putting down his food bowl, touch his paws or tail as you bend down to clip a leash on, give him a pat before throwing a ball, etc. The idea is to have him associate being touched with good things happening. You may then find that he begins to seek out the contact. When relaxing at home, keep some treats handy and reward any efforts he makes towards human contact as this will reinforce the idea that seeking out human contact is a possitive and rewarding experience. He is still very young and impressionable so it is very possible to teach him to enjoy cuddles. All the best!

 

[MaraAraLara]

My little guy is almost seven months now. If I were to use any term for him, it is "sweet-hearted" He likes to get cradled like a baby, however he also likes to do zoomies non-stop for ages at 90mph, he likes to dig, run, get dirty and cuddle again. He is my first sheltie, but from reading the posts so far, there is no norm. Personally (so far) I have decided not to neuter Rupert as I do not have a need to right now. He is healthy and happy. One thing to consider may be your energy/body language when you try to cuddle, are you anxious cos you know he will squirm out? do you try to cuddle him when he is in the middle of playing etc? Maybe choose a sleepy time to try it, however as someone noted earlier in the thread, some like to cuddle and some don't. I would not think neutering would change this.