Caro
Moderator
You got so many responses! I just wanted to add a few things. I rarely use the name 'Sheltie' with people - they are Sheepdogs and you are more likely to get an energetic dog than not. They are not lap dogs or a toy breed, too many people assume small=easy. Some times our dogs are not barking out of fear but for fun - because they have so much energy. My boys always barked at loud cars and trucks because it was fun, my current female barks at every car that goes past because she's high drive and is excited by movement.
Despite what everyone is saying, my girl could not hold on overnight consistently until she was 2yrs old. She was small and her bladder/sphincter took a long time to develop. She was checked out several times by vets and all said she's just late developing, not unusual. I made a 'potty' by putting some fake grass over a large container lid with kitty litter in it. She used this overnight when I didn't wake to take her out. During the day she was fine - but she did have access to a doggy door when i was home and the potty when I was at work. My last boy also wasn't house-trained until he was 6mths - and then when my dogs hit adolescence they have the usual adolescent mishaps.
Honestly, getting a puppy can be over-whelming, so don't beat yourself up - it gets better once they get through adolescence, which thankfully doesn't last as long as human adolescence. Going to obedience classes is a great idea, it's not so much about him learning new things as it is you both learning to work and communicate with each other. It really will get better.
Despite what everyone is saying, my girl could not hold on overnight consistently until she was 2yrs old. She was small and her bladder/sphincter took a long time to develop. She was checked out several times by vets and all said she's just late developing, not unusual. I made a 'potty' by putting some fake grass over a large container lid with kitty litter in it. She used this overnight when I didn't wake to take her out. During the day she was fine - but she did have access to a doggy door when i was home and the potty when I was at work. My last boy also wasn't house-trained until he was 6mths - and then when my dogs hit adolescence they have the usual adolescent mishaps.
Honestly, getting a puppy can be over-whelming, so don't beat yourself up - it gets better once they get through adolescence, which thankfully doesn't last as long as human adolescence. Going to obedience classes is a great idea, it's not so much about him learning new things as it is you both learning to work and communicate with each other. It really will get better.
