Hi there!

Oh, for sure! He has terrible focus, lol. But of course, to be expected from a widdle one! He's changing each day, and it is so fun to point out his growth to each other.
I guess it was kind of a bad joke of mine, saying the breed likes to please...lol, we just keep harassing my husband bc he kept saying he wanted a "smart dog that minds really well"... So, it's pretty funny for me to laugh when Finn runs around the room, instead of coming, sitting, or staying, lol. I just ask him to sit, and then I walk over and pick him up, lol

We thought since I spend the most time with him, if hubby mainly trained him, then Finn would bond well with both of us. But, he does respond better to me. Except at meals... Hubby asks him once, to sit by his bowl, and he does without a peep! For me he tries to herd me to go faster!! Lol
 
Thank you!
And yes, I foresee a future full of Sheltie, as well as basset, for us! Two best breeds ever, imho ;)
 
Aww, poor girl! I'm glad she's with you now, and was able to trust!
My in-laws, my parents, & my hubby & I, have had many rescues. It was time for a puppy, though. We're hoping to move soon, and when we got settled were wanting to take in some older dogs that need homes. I know a lot of ppl get smart dogs, then give them up bc they haven't been trained correctly, or weren't given enough attention. I think we'll have a good home for future shelties! :)
 
Lol, oh my goodness! Two! Lol, I'd melt, and go a bit crazy, lol

Oh no, teenage stage!!! Lol, at least he might be done teething by then! Hopefully...? Lol!

I keep trying to give hubby some time alone with Finn. He wasn't around much when Bowser was a pup, and Bow thinks I am his real mother, lol!
We definitely have to give time to each though, Bowser was a tad jealous at first! They're besties now though :)

And thank you! I always appreciate advice! I'm going to have to put up pics, now, of my cutie!
 
jaleely said:
...But.. I did think a sheltie wanted "to please" his people? Finn is more stubborn than his hound siblings! (And that is saying a lot, since we have a 14 year old beagle, Daisy, and a 7 year old basset hound, Bowser!)
Our house is *not* quiet, and *is* covered in hair! :)
Also, Finn acts a lot like a cat! Is that a Finn-thing? Or a Sheltie-thing?
Thanks!!

~Finn's Mama
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I have 5 shelties right now. And one of them is Clarabelle. Clarabelle is different from any other sheltie I've ever had. I wouldn't necessarily say she is stubborn as much as I would say that she needs to be convinced that what we're asking her to do is actually worth doing. She is very cat-like. She wants love when SHE wants it. Her top job is watching the yard and guarding it from intruder squirrels. Her preferred human is my husband. And she has no and I mean NO-NONE-ZERO-ZIP-ZILCH NO qualms about making sure we know that he is the preferred human. Her son, Rocket is MY dog. At one year, he's finally starting to cuddle my husband more. He went to obedience class where my husband did most of the work with him. Rocket is very shy and my hubby needed to learn to speak his language. We also have Cooper, Tara and Annabelle who just love and obey everyone. But I will say that Annabelle was the most difficult puppy ever. Stubborn isn't a strong enough word for that little puppy. I don't know what is stubborn times ten, but that was Annabelle. She was sweet and cute and that saved her. She really loved us and she was definitely smart, but she refused to learn anything, barked constantly at everything, really didn't "get" housebreaking attempts, didn't mind being punished, didn't understand rewards- or didn't care, just difficult. And she could have cared less about making us happy. If Annabelle was happy, that's what she wanted. So, it was, "I'm going to tear up this thing you love, that's what makes me happy right now- screw you and your feelings about the matter." Then she turned 18 months old and it was like a switch flipped. Now, she is the most well behaved dog anyone could want. And there isn't a more loving dog on the planet.

That's just my experience. Finn is still young and has his own quirks, and you're going to learn them all. I see that you've been warned about the teen years. They suck. They do, I ain't gonna lie. But I will give you some hope. Not all shelties go through them. (Or they do and they're nerds so their rebellion isn't too bad?) And sometimes, it doesn't last long. My Tara never rebelled.
 
MissyGallant said:
I have 5 shelties right now. And one of them is Clarabelle. Clarabelle is different from any other sheltie I've ever had. I wouldn't necessarily say she is stubborn as much as I would say that she needs to be convinced that what we're asking her to do is actually worth doing. She is very cat-like. She wants love when SHE wants it. Her top job is watching the yard and guarding it from intruder squirrels. Her preferred human is my husband. And she has no and I mean NO-NONE-ZERO-ZIP-ZILCH NO qualms about making sure we know that he is the preferred human. Her son, Rocket is MY dog. At one year, he's finally starting to cuddle my husband more. He went to obedience class where my husband did most of the work with him. Rocket is very shy and my hubby needed to learn to speak his language. We also have Cooper, Tara and Annabelle who just love and obey everyone. But I will say that Annabelle was the most difficult puppy ever. Stubborn isn't a strong enough word for that little puppy. I don't know what is stubborn times ten, but that was Annabelle. She was sweet and cute and that saved her. She really loved us and she was definitely smart, but she refused to learn anything, barked constantly at everything, really didn't "get" housebreaking attempts, didn't mind being punished, didn't understand rewards- or didn't care, just difficult. And she could have cared less about making us happy. If Annabelle was happy, that's what she wanted. So, it was, "I'm going to tear up this thing you love, that's what makes me happy right now- screw you and your feelings about the matter." Then she turned 18 months old and it was like a switch flipped. Now, she is the most well behaved dog anyone could want. And there isn't a more loving dog on the planet.

That's just my experience. Finn is still young and has his own quirks, and you're going to learn them all. I see that you've been warned about the teen years. They suck. They do, I ain't gonna lie. But I will give you some hope. Not all shelties go through them. (Or they do and they're nerds so their rebellion isn't too bad?) And sometimes, it doesn't last long. My Tara never rebelled.
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Oh my goodness! Annabelle sounds like finn a LOT lol. It's really strange I really don't get the feeling that he's going to go to that teenage thing considering he's doing it a lot right now! I I hope! Okay, top two things that Annabelle destroyed and ....go!

Bowser's Terrible chews where my Bluetooth headphones, twice! He did also get ahold of my retainer LOL (29 and braces? Yup, that was me, lol) and an India Jones cd!
There are people that say that kids don't get hyped up on sugar... Oh believe me, you can tell when a basset hound is hyped up on sugar! Lol
Don't get me started on stolen food, and sugar highs...lol
 
Every sheltie is such an individual I am finding. In many ways Beau seems alot like Clarabelle, guarding is definitely his thing in life--especially making sure that tiny bunny (or a few of them) that take up residence in our yard don't attack me and GO AWAY! Beau is also not very gentle, he doesn't know his own power yet, although he responds well to the command "gentle"--but he forgets. LOL But he has never met a dog he didn't love, or a person he didn't like once they sat down and behaved and didn't try to wander around HIS home. Beau is only my second sheltie and almost the diametrical opposite of my first.
Shadow was calm, loved all people, wouldn't even think of barking at a newcomer in the house, and loved to calmly watch bunnies and squirrels and birds--we called him Ferdinand because he played like crazy but otherwise would watch and never, ever chase the yard critters. He followed me around while I fed the wild birds. Shadow had the softest mouth I have ever seen. But he was scared of other dogs, and less "cuddly" than Beau can be. So very very different sheltie personalities.
Growing up I had GSDs--and they are very, very different from shelties. They actually really do love to please, immediately and always. Or at least that was my experience. But they also guard. And they have an "off" switch much more than shelties.
So just I am adjusting to Beau and putting lots and lots and lots of work. But he is so worth it.
I think you will find Finn to be worth every second of the agonzing teenage behavior. And like with human children--that too shall pass, and then you might even miss it :)
 
Piper was also my first of many Shelties and at almost 3 years old he's become the absolutely the most well behaved dog I've ever owned! It took him a while to become totally attached to me, I'd say around the one year mark or so. Prior to that he still liked me and would be around me but he also loved everyone else as well...after it seemed like he suddenly realized I was his number one person in the house. The best piece of advice that I can give you is to do lots of obedience with Finn...not from any brand name pet store mind you, find a good, reputable trainer who knows their stuff. It's a fantastic way to socialize you pup (start with a puppy class where the pups get to interact with one another) and get them to experience new sights, sounds and smells. I started Piper in puppy class at around 3 months (after he'd had all his shots) and we've never stopped lol. I now do competitive obedience with him and he absolutely loves doing it and loved to please me and it's so much fun! I really see his intelligence shine when we're working and it keeps his brain active so he doesn't misbehave. We're now on our way of completing his Utility title and just a year ago I would've never thought he'd be where he is now...they are just that smart!
Good luck and have fun experiencing all the changes Finn goes through as he grows up, they truly are an amazing breed!
 
Pam said:
Growing up I had GSDs--and they are very, very different from shelties. They actually really do love to please, immediately and always. Or at least that was my experience. But they also guard. And they have an "off" switch much more than shelties.
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Pam - Also my experience after 30 years of GSD :yes:
- after a week I realized that Minnie had to set the pace and show me the Sheltie road :hugs
 
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