Got a Sheltie pup yesterday - and know NOTHING about the breed!

corbinam said:
Her dam is not shy at all...but I'm guessing it's just in Lexi's nature to be shy (and yes, to a fault).

Bentley acts like Justice and Ember. Not scared or shy, just wary at first. Kind of a "I will check you out on my terms".
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I would like to say that Diva's temperment of run up to everyone like they are your long lost friend is not proper shletie temperment either. She is getting a bit move reserved and dignified as she ages. As a pup she would fling herself at strangers, people and dogs alike.
 
Sorry - I edited my post to make it shorter and it looks like I cut too much out. What I meant to say was a shy pup doesnt always grow into a shy adult. Their personalities change so much before adulthood its hard to know what they will be like later in life - they still could end up shy but again they may not. In this case, with everything the pup has been through the shyness may not be something that lasts. Getting out and about and letting her experience new things will help, as should having another confident dog at home. Until I started going to agility trials I hadn't met a shy sheltie so it just wasnt something I worried about. Mind you I wasn't expecting a gregarious dog either - I'ld had a labrador before and prefered the quieter demeanour of a sheltie. Turns out my current shelties are far from having a quiet demeanour:rolleyes2:
 
Justicemom said:
Actually being shy is a temperment fault in shelties. The standard says they can be reserved with strangers but not shy. 2 totally deferent things.
You are right they don't automaticly except everyone but they should not be fearful.

My guys are and were all confident and friendly even as babies but only Diva would run up to strangers for attention. Justice and Ember would observe and step back when approached or reached for but they wouldn't duck,panic or run out of sight/behind. It was more of a head fake and side step. Always watchful and interested though.
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Okay, I always considered shy to be something else...I'm a "shy" person but I'm not afraid of other people...just take a while to get comfy with strangers. But you're right, the dictionary describes it as "being easily frightened away" or "suspicious" or "timid". I think that my 12 week old will trot away if someone steps towards him because he's just a baby and everything is so much bigger than he is. I took him to the vet today though and he just wanted attention from everyone so he's coming along very nicely!

Claussen, my 5 month old is very people friendly but terrified of other dogs because he, too was attacked (he frustrated the other dogs at the park because he kept running away from them whimpering). I now take him there on a leash though to allow him to be smelled and he's doing so much better!

Yes, Caro, you're very right about a shy puppy not growing up to be a shy adult. Dogs can change at any point in their lives due to experiences and handling. Just think about some of the poor fighting dogs that are able to be turned around to relaxed, non-aggressive family pets. Most of the time, you can help a dog work through their issues.
 
I always say that Rookie loves everyone first, and asks questions later. Baron asks questions first, and then loves everyone ;-). Rookie is kind of like a little kid taking candy from a stranger...just goes right up.. Good in a dog world, but not in a child world ;-). Baron "assesses" the situation beforehand. He's a thinker. Spring is more like Baron...asks questions first :biggrin2:
 
Justicemom said:
I would like to say that Diva's temperment of run up to everyone like they are your long lost friend is not proper shletie temperment either. She is getting a bit move reserved and dignified as she ages. As a pup she would fling herself at strangers, people and dogs alike.
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I don't think a dog should take off after other people to say hello ignoring the owner's commands. But I enjoy seeing my dogs be happy to meet and greet others. Claussen does his "happy dance" as soon as the person sweet talks him. So cute!
 
The last puppy to leave from my last litter, "Little Jo" is described by her new owner as "skeptical". She has to investigate and evaluate things before she decides it's OK. Once she decides it's OK, she is good. This is probably the temperament described in the standard, but I'd rather them be more outgoing.
 
Maggie and Zak are more like the standard, and want to size people up the first time they meet. Maggie is more reserved even with people she knows as Zak will happily greet people but is not one to make fool himself to get attention. He won't take a treat from other people even friends of mine.
Katie was all about people and thought everyone that came over was here to see her.
My breeder has 2 of the females that are all over you type and Zak's mom is more reserved towards strangers.
 
DanteBella85 said:
Yes, Caro, you're very right about a shy puppy not growing up to be a shy adult. Dogs can change at any point in their lives due to experiences and handling. Just think about some of the poor fighting dogs that are able to be turned around to relaxed, non-aggressive family pets. Most of the time, you can help a dog work through their issues.
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As a puppy, Marlowe was very friendly with people but, with other dogs, he was shy to a fault; in fact, at puppy class, he wanted to run away and out of the room even after several sessions. I made a concerted effort to get him out and about (we see lots of dogs on our walks) and I enrolled him in daycare. Nowadays, he is extremely gregarious. His mom was described as "happy-go-lucky, very outgoing, bold as brass" and that would be an apt description for him now.

So, I agree that what you see as a puppy is not necessarily what you will get as an adult.
 
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