How Do You Deal With This Senestive Nature

In addition to the other great suggestions already given, I'd suggest you make sure that the positive interactions you have with your pup far outweigh the negative interactions. Meaning, sure, there will be times you have to ask her not to do something, like jump on the couch. But the 10sec that takes should be balanced by the (at least!) full minute of celebration when she listens to you. And add in as much plain ol' quality time (pets and play) as you can!

My Sheltie, Olive, can be super-reactive about some things and even fearful in some situations. I doubt she'll ever "overcome" these traits completely because they are part of her personality. The goal for us is to help her reach her best potential for a happy, confident life. She's got a lot of talent and really at the end of the day, it's up to her hoomans to give her the opportunities to take advantage of her potential.
 
celloyogi said:
In addition to the other great suggestions already given, I'd suggest you make sure that the positive interactions you have with your pup far outweigh the negative interactions. Meaning, sure, there will be times you have to ask her not to do something, like jump on the couch. But the 10sec that takes should be balanced by the (at least!) full minute of celebration when she listens to you. And add in as much plain ol' quality time (pets and play) as you can!

My Sheltie, Olive, can be super-reactive about some things and even fearful in some situations. I doubt she'll ever "overcome" these traits completely because they are part of her personality. The goal for us is to help her reach her best potential for a happy, confident life. She's got a lot of talent and really at the end of the day, it's up to her hoomans to give her the opportunities to take advantage of her potential.
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As others have already said 12 weeks is pretty young. I think you need to manage your expectations I also highly recommend puppy school at about 5-6 months. The right school will teach you you how to teach your dog.

Dogs will learn their boundaries if you are consistent.

For example my dogs sleep on my bed during the week. When David is at my place on the weekend they don't even attempt to come up on the bed.
 
haha, loved that forum. Clearly they are winning.

I actually want her on the couch. The one thing that sucked when my Aussie was still with us was my fiance didn't like him on the couch because he was so large, so the only time I got cuddle time with my big boy was when he wasn't home :wink2: So, when trying to find out next dog, I knew at this time in my life I couldn't handle another Aussie, so I'll be honest I automatically wanted a collie always wanted one since my childhood one, of course fi said, I don't want another large dog, so I said well if we get a sheltie can she be one the couch, haha. He gave in. Sooo...Im happy about the couch, just not in our face while were eating on it. lol.

Well im so glad for everyones advice. I think I do have high expectations for her at such a young age, a part of me is still grieving I think that i didn't realize for my big boy. Its been almost a year, its easy to think your okay until another dog is in your house. So I need to take a step back, accept she is different and work on managing myself around her and build that trust.
 
ute_fan said:
It's only my opinion, but I think you should go on talking to Luna in a quiet tone, just like you were carrying on a conversation. She needs to get used to the sound of your voice, but without associating it with being scolded. Don't speak baby talk to her, but as you're working around the house, keep up a conversation with her about what you're doing. It may sound silly to anyone else around, but she needs to get over any fear she may have of your voice.
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I talk to Sammy all day long, just like I used to talk to my little children, and he loves it. "Sam, should we try this recipe tonight? We'll have to see if we have all the ingredients. Just let me check the fridge. Scooch out of the way, please." "Should we go downstairs and check the laundry now?" Etc. etc. all day long, yak, yak, yak.

Sammy is only 7 months old, but he has gone through so many stages already that I thought were horrible at the time and would last forever. They don't!

This forum is great. There are many people here who have several shelties and have had them for a long time, and they are smart! Keep asking questions, and try their suggestions. And remember, to quote Bob Dylan, "Everything passes, everything changes..." My very best to you and Luna... Janet
 
Just wanted to let everyone know that things are going much better with Luna. Just been acting normal and talking with her, last night I was actually able to lay in the floor with her and talk in my normal "pretty loud" voice and she was just fine, she even got some zoomies and was running around me and bringing me her toys.

We haven't started back on training yet, but Im sure were off to a good start, and thinking im going to break out the hotdogs tomorrow and see if we can get this girl to sit. Thought about maybe taking her outside since she loves it out there and it will make enjoyable and fun, bring her toys? or do you think that would be to much going on??
 
sclevenger said:
Just wanted to let everyone know that things are going much better with Luna. Just been acting normal and talking with her, last night I was actually able to lay in the floor with her and talk in my normal "pretty loud" voice and she was just fine, she even got some zoomies and was running around me and bringing me her toys.

We haven't started back on training yet, but Im sure were off to a good start, and thinking im going to break out the hotdogs tomorrow and see if we can get this girl to sit. Thought about maybe taking her outside since she loves it out there and it will make enjoyable and fun, bring her toys? or do you think that would be to much going on??
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awww, good news! So glad you got the lovin's back!!
Just take your queues from her, if she gives you signals just back off, this is how one the bond is formed, reading one another and playing together... training should feel just like play to the dog, but give it time don't push it if you're at all still uncertain if she's still a tad skittish :D
Next thing you know you won't even remember that there was a time you guys weren't two peas in a pod!!
I remember one particular moment when Toffee was a little dog and I looked at him and thought oh man I don't get this guy... I loved my German Shepherd so much more, that dog did anything for me! Here is this lil chicken and I am not sure if I can ever love him as much... well... the rest is history. Toffee and I have the greatest bond I have ever had with any dog (probably cuz he kinda made me work for it, lol) and it's only times like when you shared your story that I remember what that felt like!
 
I went from a lab to a sheltie, nor am I a particular quiet person. I don't talk loud, but I talk a lot and this is a busy noisy household with lots of bangs and crashes.

Merlin was a nervous pup, but I was expecting that. I spent lots of time socialising him with loud noises, this included lots of treats and praise when he was calm around a loud noise. It must of worked because out of all the dogs on my club display team Merlin was the only one who didn't react to a gun going off in the ring next to where we were performing.

A great deal comes down to trust and that takes time and will depend on the dog very much. I would do lots of play with your pup, keep training to a minimum and just work on building a bond.

To put it in perspective, the other week my dad accidentally hurt Merlin's ear while he was fussing him. Merlin ran to me and refused to go near him until I walked up to my dad and encouraged Merlin to approach.

Also at 12 weeks, the peeing on the couch is due to over-stimulation and excitement rather than disobedience.

I always try to be my guy's best friend, especially when they are new pups:wink2:
 
Toffee's Mom said:
I remember one particular moment when Toffee was a little dog and I looked at him and thought oh man I don't get this guy... I loved my German Shepherd so much more, that dog did anything for me! Here is this lil chicken and I am not sure if I can ever love him as much... well... the rest is history. Toffee and I have the greatest bond I have ever had with any dog (probably cuz he kinda made me work for it, lol) and it's only times like when you shared your story that I remember what that felt like!
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This was very encouraging me, I go through this a lot with Luna. I look back at my Aussie/ACD and I think that guy was great, I want THAT bond back, THAT fun we had back, and I do look down at her and I think "your just never going to be that dog, I don't know what you want from me" It really bothers me that I feel that way. I keep telling my hunny though, Im going to keep trying everyday to build this bond. So its very encouraging to hear that Im not the only one that has felt this way and that it will pass. I know last night being able to play with her and he cuddling on the couch with me later at bedtime felt good.
 
labgirl said:
I went from a lab to a sheltie, nor am I a particular quiet person. I don't talk loud, but I talk a lot and this is a busy noisy household with lots of bangs and crashes.

Merlin was a nervous pup, but I was expecting that. I spent lots of time socialising him with loud noises, this included lots of treats and praise when he was calm around a loud noise. It must of worked because out of all the dogs on my club display team Merlin was the only one who didn't react to a gun going off in the ring next to where we were performing.

A great deal comes down to trust and that takes time and will depend on the dog very much. I would do lots of play with your pup, keep training to a minimum and just work on building a bond.

To put it in perspective, the other week my dad accidentally hurt Merlin's ear while he was fussing him. Merlin ran to me and refused to go near him until I walked up to my dad and encouraged Merlin to approach.

Also at 12 weeks, the peeing on the couch is due to over-stimulation and excitement rather than disobedience.

I always try to be my guy's best friend, especially when they are new pups:wink2:
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Thanks thats what we have been trying to do is just make the loud noises normal, and we have a lot, I have a 19 month old daughter...there is lots of noise. lol. She is doing so much better since I've been trying to relax and stop trying to mold her into what I want her to be at 12 weeks. Im trying to sit back and realize that we have all the time in the world to learn how to sit and roll over. We will get there, we just need the bond first!
 
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