We are trying to decide whether to add a puppy to our currently dog-less, empty-nest home. Or, alternatively, seek a a little bit older sheltie; one who has been grown out to show but, for one reason or another, is being released for adoption as a companion pet. A dog like this might be 9-12 months old. We have loved two shelties in our home; one for 10 years and the second for 12 years. My husband and I are each 61. Has anyone had experience with bringing a slightly older sheltie into your family?
Has anyone adopted an "older" sheltie?
- Thread starter MaryR
- Start date
trini
Forums Sage
Mary, slightly older pups make wonderful pets too. The one thing I would look for is a pup or young adult who has been raised in the home and had lots of socialization to a home environment, not just been in a kennel situation. But even a kennel pup/young adult can make the transition, it just takes a little longer.
Trini
Trini
Lanie
Forums Enthusiast
My Echo was a 10 month old show dog that didn't make the cut because she went oversize at 9 months. She's a great Sheltie and I love her to pieces, however, she wasn't socialized at all and it's presented some real challenges. I knew this going in and she's still a work in progress 2 years later, but I wouldn't trade her for anything. A good breeder will ask you a whole lot of questions and match you up with the right pup or teenager. There are some advantages to a little bit older pup. Mine was housebroken in one day and has never chewed up anything in my house. The breeder knew that she was going to be coming to work with me everyday (30 minute car ride each way) and they knew she didn't get carsick. They knew that I have a very active lifestyle and they knew she'd be a good fit for that with her high-energy level. If I had it to do all over again, would I still do it? Absolutely.
Sharon7
Moderator
I have gotten two dogs from a breeder that were older. Brooke was 7, almost 8, and has retired from showing and breeding at our home. She was a breeze to integrate. She has impeccable manners.
Then her granddaughter Faith came. She had just turned 2, and washed out of showing due to her going slightly oversize, and the fact that her ears wouldn't stay tipped. Faith integrated fairly quickly also, but training her has been a bit more of a challenge simply due to her energy level. She had no obedience training besides what they learn for the show ring. She learned the routines around here very quickly though.
Actually, Ally also came to us as a 1.5 year old, many years ago. She also was a love and adjusted very quickly, with our now angel Asta here to show her the way.
I would definitely take an older pup again. As Trini said though, make sure they've had some socialization in a home. Shelties can be so sensitive and anxious even under the best of circumstances. Good luck; I'm sure the right Sheltie is out there for you, and you'll have many years of enjoyment with him or her.
Then her granddaughter Faith came. She had just turned 2, and washed out of showing due to her going slightly oversize, and the fact that her ears wouldn't stay tipped. Faith integrated fairly quickly also, but training her has been a bit more of a challenge simply due to her energy level. She had no obedience training besides what they learn for the show ring. She learned the routines around here very quickly though.
Actually, Ally also came to us as a 1.5 year old, many years ago. She also was a love and adjusted very quickly, with our now angel Asta here to show her the way.
I would definitely take an older pup again. As Trini said though, make sure they've had some socialization in a home. Shelties can be so sensitive and anxious even under the best of circumstances. Good luck; I'm sure the right Sheltie is out there for you, and you'll have many years of enjoyment with him or her.
I looked specifically for a pup between 6-12 months old when I lost Yogi. I needed to have a companion for Epic in case anything happened to Revel so age and temperament were really my only criteria. All my other dogs had been baby puppies so it was a new experience for me.
Angus had also been run on with a couple of other pups and his breeder had just decided to let him go, so I was very lucky and he really was the perfect dog at the right time. He was 10 months when I brought him home. We had some initial housetraining incidents, which I believe were mainly to do with a different set up and adjusting to a new routine. This lasted perhaps a month to 6 weeks and was intermittent so no where near as intense as housetraining a baby pup. There were a few chewing incidents (internet cable!
) but mainly due to us forgetting he was still a pup. But he had been very well brought up/socialised etc and very very much easier than bringing up a tiny puppy. Eight months on and he is very much a part of the family. He has adapted more or less to how we do things. There are still some traits which are reminiscent of his different background to the others. Not really anything positive or negative, just different to how my other dogs behave. He has bonded very closely with me, which was something I had wondered about. I believe this will continue to grow, especially with ongoing training which just naturally builds more rapport. The main thing I worked at very hard for the first few months was training a solid recall and this is still being reinforced and maintained. Unfortunately rehomed shelties can sometimes panic or run off in the early days so having a very reliable recall was top priority.
Although I did get him just as a companion, he showed aptitude for agility so I have been starting him out on this. From a working perspective there are slight issues which probably wouldn't be there had I had him from a tiny pup but just as a companion he is super and taking an older pup or slight older dog would definitely be something I would recommend.
Angus had also been run on with a couple of other pups and his breeder had just decided to let him go, so I was very lucky and he really was the perfect dog at the right time. He was 10 months when I brought him home. We had some initial housetraining incidents, which I believe were mainly to do with a different set up and adjusting to a new routine. This lasted perhaps a month to 6 weeks and was intermittent so no where near as intense as housetraining a baby pup. There were a few chewing incidents (internet cable!
) but mainly due to us forgetting he was still a pup. But he had been very well brought up/socialised etc and very very much easier than bringing up a tiny puppy. Eight months on and he is very much a part of the family. He has adapted more or less to how we do things. There are still some traits which are reminiscent of his different background to the others. Not really anything positive or negative, just different to how my other dogs behave. He has bonded very closely with me, which was something I had wondered about. I believe this will continue to grow, especially with ongoing training which just naturally builds more rapport. The main thing I worked at very hard for the first few months was training a solid recall and this is still being reinforced and maintained. Unfortunately rehomed shelties can sometimes panic or run off in the early days so having a very reliable recall was top priority.Although I did get him just as a companion, he showed aptitude for agility so I have been starting him out on this. From a working perspective there are slight issues which probably wouldn't be there had I had him from a tiny pup but just as a companion he is super and taking an older pup or slight older dog would definitely be something I would recommend.
jomuir
Forums Enthusiast
We've adopted several older Shelties. Our first Sheltie was an 11-yr. old male, he was literally the best dog ever. then we adopted another senior who didn't live too long with us before he passed, but he was very happy with us until he left us. By then we were pretty heartsick losing them so we opted for 'younger' rescues, we got 2 that were about 2 yrs old each and they're wonderful.
I like older rescues because they're done teething, potty training is usually done for the most part, and they're so happy to have loving forever homes. If you're leaning that way, you'll be pleasantly surprised by an older dog.
I like older rescues because they're done teething, potty training is usually done for the most part, and they're so happy to have loving forever homes. If you're leaning that way, you'll be pleasantly surprised by an older dog.
trini
Forums Sage
Oh, how exciting!!! Sure you can do this and you will be a great Sheltie Mom...lucky little gal to be getting such a loving home. Have you thought of a name yet?
And...of course we will want to see pictures!!!
Congratulations!
Trini
And...of course we will want to see pictures!!!
Congratulations!Trini
wjo53
Forums Enthusiast
All my girls have been older, I've never had a puppy. I don't know what it's like to train a puppy.
Chelsea was 18mths, and I was her 4th (and forever) home, she took 5mins to look around the place the first day, hopped up on the couch, then to the back of the couch, laid down and looked at me, and she was home. I think she moved around due to a very high energy level - and to set herself up to meet me that day.
April was 15mths, and came from a breeder. She was too small to show, and too small for breeding, so she came as a companion. She took a Lot of convincing (around a month), but love won her over. She was a home girl who liked life on the quiet side.
Tilly is 4.5yrs, I've had her 2 months. She also came from a breeder. She's in between the other two, she started to come around to me right away, but with her being older, some things have been slower. She's very reactive to sound. She doesn't know some games, but play with her in a way she knows, and she's very playful. Trying to get her to play fetch has been interesting.
I've loved my girls being older, and truth be told, as soon as I heard that a breeder might have an older one to let out (Tilly), I jumped at the chance to meet her.
Good luck with your choice!
Chelsea was 18mths, and I was her 4th (and forever) home, she took 5mins to look around the place the first day, hopped up on the couch, then to the back of the couch, laid down and looked at me, and she was home. I think she moved around due to a very high energy level - and to set herself up to meet me that day.
April was 15mths, and came from a breeder. She was too small to show, and too small for breeding, so she came as a companion. She took a Lot of convincing (around a month), but love won her over. She was a home girl who liked life on the quiet side.
Tilly is 4.5yrs, I've had her 2 months. She also came from a breeder. She's in between the other two, she started to come around to me right away, but with her being older, some things have been slower. She's very reactive to sound. She doesn't know some games, but play with her in a way she knows, and she's very playful. Trying to get her to play fetch has been interesting.
I've loved my girls being older, and truth be told, as soon as I heard that a breeder might have an older one to let out (Tilly), I jumped at the chance to meet her.
Good luck with your choice!
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Lanie
Forums Enthusiast
Well the 9-month old female that might have been available has gone to a show home. So we are going to bite the bullet and bring home, next week, an 8-week sable and white girl.
Sure you can
Can't wait to see the pictures. Congratulations!