Hello!
I am a new forum member AND a new Sheltie owner! We added an 8 week old puppy to our family on Sunday. My children named her Rosetta. She is a sable/white female. So far she is the perfect puppy! There is mutual adoration between my children and the puppy. She has slept through both nights with just a little whining when I first put her to bed. She has woken me up both mornings at 5:30am, but the best thing is that she has NOT gone to the bathroom in the house yet. Not once! I bought a pack of 100 puppy pads that I may not need. The breeder raised the puppies outside, and I think she prefers to go in the grass than on a floor. Lucky me!
I have a few questions for you Sheltie experts. First is socialization. I don't think the puppies were socialized much with the breeder. He did mention that they had never seen children before. This puppy's personality does seem a bit reserved. However, she has really loosened up with my kids. So far, she has taken several car trips, gone to pet supply stores, visited my office (where she slept at my feet while I worked for 3 hours!), and visited my kids school. Are there any other activities that I should do with her to get her socialized properly? I have 2 other dogs and some cats that I will introduce her to as well.
Next question is feeding. Her breeder was feeding her free choice Purina puppy chow. I got the same brand and have also been letting her eat free choice. But she seems to be eating quite a bit. Should I measure out her feed and restrict her eating? She weighs 4lbs right now. Her parents were small (12 and 13") and she was the smallest puppy in the litter (but in my humble opinion, the nicest!) I will start switching her over to what I feed my other dogs, Taste of the Wild. But I wanted her to start with what she had been eating.
Finally, the breeder said she got her 6 week shots, but was not wormed. Should I worm her? I know not to give her ivermectin. I can call the vet. When does she need her next set of shots?
That's all the questions for now. I'm sure I'll have more. I am very glad to have a Sheltie in my life again. I had a Sheltie as a child that was my best friend growing up. I'm hoping my children can have the same experience.
I am a new forum member AND a new Sheltie owner! We added an 8 week old puppy to our family on Sunday. My children named her Rosetta. She is a sable/white female. So far she is the perfect puppy! There is mutual adoration between my children and the puppy. She has slept through both nights with just a little whining when I first put her to bed. She has woken me up both mornings at 5:30am, but the best thing is that she has NOT gone to the bathroom in the house yet. Not once! I bought a pack of 100 puppy pads that I may not need. The breeder raised the puppies outside, and I think she prefers to go in the grass than on a floor. Lucky me!
I have a few questions for you Sheltie experts. First is socialization. I don't think the puppies were socialized much with the breeder. He did mention that they had never seen children before. This puppy's personality does seem a bit reserved. However, she has really loosened up with my kids. So far, she has taken several car trips, gone to pet supply stores, visited my office (where she slept at my feet while I worked for 3 hours!), and visited my kids school. Are there any other activities that I should do with her to get her socialized properly? I have 2 other dogs and some cats that I will introduce her to as well.
Next question is feeding. Her breeder was feeding her free choice Purina puppy chow. I got the same brand and have also been letting her eat free choice. But she seems to be eating quite a bit. Should I measure out her feed and restrict her eating? She weighs 4lbs right now. Her parents were small (12 and 13") and she was the smallest puppy in the litter (but in my humble opinion, the nicest!) I will start switching her over to what I feed my other dogs, Taste of the Wild. But I wanted her to start with what she had been eating.
Finally, the breeder said she got her 6 week shots, but was not wormed. Should I worm her? I know not to give her ivermectin. I can call the vet. When does she need her next set of shots?
That's all the questions for now. I'm sure I'll have more. I am very glad to have a Sheltie in my life again. I had a Sheltie as a child that was my best friend growing up. I'm hoping my children can have the same experience.
(I assume Rosetta is for Rosetta Stone?)
