Anti-social puppy

[Danny's mommy]

Everyone has given such good advice. Your puppy is young and fairly new to his home. He may be trying to figure out his place in the family and if he's there to stay. I wouldn't let him stay by himself in a room though. Shelties tend to be reserved and show affection/loyalty to family members. Sounds like he needs to bond with you and training will do that. Many shelties follow their people around the house not wanting to be out of their sight. My Danny isn't very affectionate and really doesn't like to be petted a lot. He does want to be with us though and when he does give a kiss it is special. Is there such a thing as an alpha puppy? Supposedly alphas do not give affection and stay aloof and apart.

 

[Caro]

I wouldn't worry at all. Deska wasn't a cuddler and had his tail tucked between his legs all the time - he never wagged it until I got another pup who wagged a lot then I think he worked out what his tail was for. I know he adored me and wanted to be around me but he just did not want to be held or petted. I think a lot of pups are like this, there is far too much interesting stuff going on in the world for them to be trapped in someone arms!

Nowadays Deska will cuddle and lean on every single person he meets. His favourite place to be is wrapped in my arms! I just persisted in giving affection and eventually he stood still long enough to enjoy it (or he just gave in).

At any rate there is plenty of time for your pup to change. Don't think this is a sign of anything to come.

I wouldn't seperate him from your BC that much. If you are happy with your BC's behaviours then its great his has an older dog to learn from. Individual walk and play time though is a must so you get some one-on-one bonding time.

 

[Justicemom]

Separate your two dogs as much as you can. Your puppy finds much easier to talk doggies. Let them play but do it as reward for your puppy for something you like.
Feed ever bit of the kibble coming out of your hand for next 2 weeks. When you feed, touch puppy gently. Evaluate your touch as what is acceptable for puppy. You might need to start very lightly. Some dogs have extreme tactile sensitivity so it takes a while for them to accept that touch is a good thing.
When you in the room and lets say watching TV, put your puppy on leash and keep in same room. I don't mean physically keep sitting next to you on the couch but in the area where you sit. Do not let habits you do not want to see develop. It is like that-" those are my rules and you puppy have to follow. I am giving you plenty of space but you are not sitting along in another room" deal...
Find what motivates your puppy. What he really likes? Chasing a ball? Chewing on your hand? You have to find something you puppy is really excited about and use it as reward to your advantage. Even if initial behavior slightly naughty I would use it to establish that bond and then switch it to something appropriate. Try different foods, different textures, laser lights, toilet paper rolls, socks... You gotta find what ticks him off and work that angle
This is an approach one would use even if indeed your puppy has some autistic features.
TRAIN TRICKS! It is extremely bonding experience.

Yes yes yes. Ember was exact like your puppy. She did not want or seek attention. I did everything above. Especially the hand feeding part for months. Around 6-7 months she suddenly started coming around.

Ember still does not play with toys(at all) but I finally got her to tug(after 6 yrs) and she really enjoys that. I had to teach her to grab the toy, hold it, pull on it and then finally tug. Her tug is still not that fantastic and if I pull to hard she lets go. Ember does not play with other dogs except Justice and Diva. SHe is learning to deal with Birch but has a way to go.

I have often wonder if dogs can be autistic or have Asperger's. I don't know if they can be Ember certainly has trouble with social skills with humans and dogs(she really did not even like her littermates). She is incrediblely bright though and did great in obedience(has her AKC UDX and a NOI invite) and agility. I just needed to find the way to reach her and that took patience and time. As she has gotten older she seems to be getting better every year with her social skills.

I too was disappointed in Ember when I first got her but truely she turned into a great dog. I just needed to accept her for who she is and that she was different than my outgoing, playful boy Justice. I wouldn't give her up for anything now. Kept working with your pup you will see improvement.

 

[sable]

Great advice from SheltieChe. My thought was maybe your pup is still adjusting, 6 weeks is not a very long time. Each dog has their own personality. As I have said about my Lil' Lady when they made her they broke the mold. I get kisses from her, when she feels like it, let me tell ya she is a riot.

The older they get, the better they get, and so much fun. Best wishes to you, your doing a great job.

 

[hrcarol]

My dog Finley went through a period when he didn't want to be petted or any affection. He was around that same age. It's hard. In fact that's a big reason why I got our 2nd Sheltie, Rusty. I noticed a few things about Finley. He treats us like other dogs, dogs don't pet each other. He's very sensitive in the way he likes to be petted. He didn't like being petted on the head or back. He did like a good scratch on the back or tummy. What he really likes is play. To him play was the best form of affection. He's 11 months old and much better about it now. I started to pet him when I play with him. It became our game. I think it helped. He's much less sensitive about how I pet him. Also, he's matured a lot. And he is more of an Alpha dog than any other Sheltie I've ever know. Maybe he's learning his place now that he's older.