Adopted Sheltie/May be biter

The poor soul just got to his new home -- so recently that he doesn't even know it's home. I would forego any idea of formal training for at least three weeks. Let the dear soul settle in. Meanwhile, read up here on the forum -- where you are most welcome!

1. Shelties are reserved by nature.
2. No dog appreciated being startled. Make sure your Sheltie is awake before you pet. I recommend sticking to the shoulders and back until he's more settled in.
3. Shelties generally want to please. Current research is showing that the who alpha thing is incorrect. Dogs seek a relationship. That relationship will differ, depending on who it's with and who else is around. Your goal right now needs to be building a relationship of trust and mutual respect.
 
Wow, thanks for all your advice. I cleaned a carrier, put a soft quilt in for him last night. He only got me up once to potty. I'm speaking kindly/fun to him & he likes it. Main thing (aside from being concerned he may be a biter) is his actions toward our Maltese.
He's so funny with the circling thing. I feel like a sheep being herded.:razz:
No aggression but he wants to hump the air around him & stick his nose up the Maltese butt. I keep telling him no, but what's the correct way to address this?
Also called the trainer. They call him, "The Dog Whisperer."
Still thinking of a name. Any ideas? he's tri-color, mainly black, small amt of brown, white blaze on neck. Saw the name, "Miko" somewhere; kinda like it.
 
kathyl said:
Wow, thanks for all your advice. I cleaned a carrier, put a soft quilt in for him last night. He only got me up once to potty. I'm speaking kindly/fun to him & he likes it. Main thing (aside from being concerned he may be a biter) is his actions toward our Maltese.
He's so funny with the circling thing. I feel like a sheep being herded.:razz:
No aggression but he wants to hump the air around him & stick his nose up the Maltese butt. I keep telling him no, but what's the correct way to address this?
Also called the trainer. They call him, "The Dog Whisperer."
Still thinking of a name. Any ideas? he's tri-color, mainly black, small amt of brown, white blaze on neck. Saw the name, "Miko" somewhere; kinda like it.
Click to expand...

oh No, please run the other direction if that guy is anything at all like the Cesar Milan guy on Nat Geographic...
If he talks about energy or dominance and show him who is boss, PLEASE get another trainer, please... that is not the way to deal with this guy

I think we have two Miko's on this Forum I can think of, lol

Sticking nose on Maltese butt, is ok, don't correct that. If he is humping Maltese try and keep him separate from the other dog, for now.
 
Dog biter

My advice is to bite the "Dog Whisperer". Really there are no dog whisperer's Caesar has been sued a couple of times, the show is edited to make him look like a dog swami.

That being said, listen to the others in here, they know their stuff.

As it happens, I had a biter. She was from the Spca and bit me the very first day. She was in miserable shape, starving, skin disease etc. she took to her Daddy immediately and set out to protect him from harm. Vet said she had had quite a few litters, which leads me to believe that she was a breeder girl, where she probably was harshly used and discarded by a woman. That is what I think. Harper has been with us three years, she and I still have issues, her emotional scars are deep. Bottom line, is to work with the baby.

I was bitten twice, but was not about to give up with my girl. She occasionally bares teeth at me, which is a warning.

Imagine the trauma to make these gentle creatures biters, they are by nature, very gentle sensitive dogs, our shelties.

Your guy is being very dominant with you, being neutered should help.

For what it is worth, I have only seen two biters in my years of rescue work, Harper Lee is the second one. She has not bitten me in two years and I expect that she never will again.

Up at the vet's when she was boarded for two days, she bit one of the caretakers. Again, she was in a stressful situation. Turns out he was a bit of an ogre and the vet fired his butt.

You are lucky to have a sheltie. Forget calling the rescue place, if his owners wanted him they would already have him back. You have gone above and beyond. Again that is my opinion.


Best,
Kate
 
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True

Hi again. I just perused some names for your boy and found the name True which means hope and light.

Good luck with your sheltie,

Kate
 
You guys are great! I would love to keep him. Waiting on dog trainer to call. Friend owns local pet store/gave me # of their trainer. I don't know the Cesar guy you all speak of. The 'dog whisperer' I mentioned is simply good local trainer (so I'm told.)
He is sneezing some now/begun giving him things to build immune system. Concerned he picked something up in shelter.
Plan was to have neutered Tuesday, but shelter gave him a stupid 8 in 1 immunization...way too many @ one time. I asked them day before not to give immunization/wanted to deal with my own vet. No one placed card on his cage.
He & maltese are playing some now. I can't separate them due to how our house is layed out unless I block him off in other room.
 
Forgot...he was laying in floor by husband on couch yesterday. Husband got up, dog bit him hard on toe. Older son was petting him down back, he turned to try & snap him also.
I'm willing to work w/this guy, but we may foster little ones in the future. Need to have him safe.
Also...should I wait to have him neutered since he's sneezing & had that big immunization shot? Until his immune system is a bit stronger?
 
Follow your instincts

Caesar is a self professed dog trainer but there are some of us who don't believe that he is a dog trainer. He had a television show.

Your puppy is scared that much is evident. If you don't think that you are up for the challenge, please seek a sheltie rescue in your area. There is one in Ohio called Precious Secrets Sheltie Rescue, they can help, they can put you in touch with someone who can help you.

As was mentioned, he might be injured and that is why he is responding negatively. You said that your older son almost got bitten. Do you have younger children there? That might not be a good mix.

I am so dismayed to learn that he got an eight in one shot. Watch him carefully for any signs of a reaction.

Again, go to the web page precious secrets sheltie rescue. Cathy or Pam will work with you to figure out this little guys next step in life.

Kate
 
kathyl said:
Forgot...he was laying in floor by husband on couch yesterday. Husband got up, dog bit him hard on toe. Older son was petting him down back, he turned to try & snap him also.
I'm willing to work w/this guy, but we may foster little ones in the future. Need to have him safe.
Also...should I wait to have him neutered since he's sneezing & had that big immunization shot? Until his immune system is a bit stronger?
Click to expand...

again, dog was startled, and don't allow kids to ever pet him down his back.
It is a MAJOR stress and an invite to snap, he doesn't trust you guys yet!
You need to start managing this guy, first.. so get a crate and blankets where he is allowed to be safe, so he doesn't have to startle every time somebody moves...
When you guys cannot pay attention, it seems this happens.. so when you can't pay 100% attention then crate when you guys are resting on couch, etc, have him around you yes, but if it is resting time give the dog a crate to destress in... He is over stimulated, I bet
 
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