mcguiregirl2248
Forums Enthusiast
I hope that everything works out in the end for you and your pup. I hope the the breeder and her mother can come up with some good suggestions/solutions for you. Please do continue to keep us posted.
Is there a rescue group in Spokane area?
- Thread starter MaggieMae
- Start date
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
Good luck on continued improvement. The great part is you are going the extra mile and in the end the pup will find a good home even if it is not yours. I am a bit surprised that after 3 months they are not getting along. Sca got a talking to from the senior dog last weekend and things were fine after that and he accepted the rules. I am surprised that has not happened with yours.
Ann
Moderator
It sounds as if you are doing everything possible, Julie. I'm so glad you found a breeder who will help you too. It clear you want what is best for Buddy. I'm sure the breeder can give you a good idea of whether he is right for your home. Please keep us posted, and good luck!
We were surprised, too. Maggie Mae is a very sweet-tempered dog and just tries to hide from the puppy. She does growl at him if she's cornered but she doesn't nip him. Her quality of life has gone downhill - he thinks of her as a playmate and jumps on her and play-bites, etc. Sometimes I realize that Maggie has become the invisible dog because Buddy and his puppy stuff is taking up all of our attention. She will be 9 in December and she's our "perfect" dog - I feel bad she's being somewhat ignored. This will work out some way, though, because it has to!!
Caro
Moderator
At around 9 mths pups develop a sense of self and others. Buddy will begin to understand Maggie May's feelings. This is also the age when adult dogs correct the behaviour of younger dogs, so you will probably see Maggie snapping back at him - and this is perfectly normal, its the way dogs teach each other manners.
Other dogs are actually a really good guide to us how to treat our pups. I think you would be surprised how Maggie feels. She will understand he is still a pup and is allowing him the latitude he needs to learn and grow. And she will start putting her foot down when the time is right. Females tend to be the arbiters of manners and behaviour amongst dogs - so if she was really unhappy about his behaviour she would be telling him.
They are pups for such a short period of time.
Other dogs are actually a really good guide to us how to treat our pups. I think you would be surprised how Maggie feels. She will understand he is still a pup and is allowing him the latitude he needs to learn and grow. And she will start putting her foot down when the time is right. Females tend to be the arbiters of manners and behaviour amongst dogs - so if she was really unhappy about his behaviour she would be telling him.
They are pups for such a short period of time.
A Buddy Update
We have been trying hard with Buddy - have read "Help For Your Shy Dog" and have had two breeders/trainers come to the house. They were wonderful! Caring, knowledgeable, and encouraging. I still can't believe they drove here and spent over an hour trying to assess the situation. They gave lots of good advice and I was really encouraged. They called him a Toonie (I think I spelled that right). He still looks more like a fox/coyote than a Sheltie but they said he was definitely a Sheltie but from an older line.
The situation is changing - he is 6+ months old now and is even more fearful of people. He has started to growl if he sees someone walking by if we are outside. Today our grandson came over - he's 5 but very savy around dogs. He was quiet and even looked away from Buddy while holding a treat. Buddy wouldn't get near the treat. Our grandson wandered off and went toward the laundry room where Buddy plays. Buddy began to growl seriously and wouldn't stop. He finally ended up shivering uncontrollably. We've never had a dog act like that. If our grandson had been noisy or intruding on Buddy's space it would have been scary but not like this was. I could tell - and it breaks my heart - Buddy will be a fear biter.
This says so much about BYBs and the careless way they breed for money. Poor little Buddy can't help it - he lives in fear and really doesn't care for people. I called the two wonderful trainers and hope they can find a rescue home for him. We can't take a chance with our grandchildren.
If you've read all this - thanks so much. This has been a 3.5 month ordeal and it's really heartbreaking.
Julie
We have been trying hard with Buddy - have read "Help For Your Shy Dog" and have had two breeders/trainers come to the house. They were wonderful! Caring, knowledgeable, and encouraging. I still can't believe they drove here and spent over an hour trying to assess the situation. They gave lots of good advice and I was really encouraged. They called him a Toonie (I think I spelled that right). He still looks more like a fox/coyote than a Sheltie but they said he was definitely a Sheltie but from an older line.
The situation is changing - he is 6+ months old now and is even more fearful of people. He has started to growl if he sees someone walking by if we are outside. Today our grandson came over - he's 5 but very savy around dogs. He was quiet and even looked away from Buddy while holding a treat. Buddy wouldn't get near the treat. Our grandson wandered off and went toward the laundry room where Buddy plays. Buddy began to growl seriously and wouldn't stop. He finally ended up shivering uncontrollably. We've never had a dog act like that. If our grandson had been noisy or intruding on Buddy's space it would have been scary but not like this was. I could tell - and it breaks my heart - Buddy will be a fear biter.
This says so much about BYBs and the careless way they breed for money. Poor little Buddy can't help it - he lives in fear and really doesn't care for people. I called the two wonderful trainers and hope they can find a rescue home for him. We can't take a chance with our grandchildren.
If you've read all this - thanks so much. This has been a 3.5 month ordeal and it's really heartbreaking.
Julie
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
Sorry to hear this and I hope buddy can find a nice home but I cannot blame you due to the concern for your grandson. I have to admit that I am surprised he didn't come around given the obvious amounts of effort you put in 
Sorry to hear this and I hope buddy can find a nice home but I cannot blame you due to the concern for your grandson. I have to admit that I am surprised he didn't come around given the obvious amounts of effort you put in
Thank you so much - we feel so sad for him. It's a terrible way to live - always frightened and ready for fight or flight. We're just hoping we can get him in a home with someone who can work with him. It's been so hard both of us agreed we won't get another puppy. It's just too much when it doesn't work out. I look at Sheltie pictures and at Maggie Mae and his eyes just don't look right - there's no love in his expression.
take4roll10
Moderator
Awwww I am so sorry to hear about this. It sounds like you tried everything you could. I was really hoping he would come around.
My only suggestion is that whoever you rehome him with, see if you can make a contract and have them sign it. Stating that they can't rehome him unless they contact you.
I woudn't want to see the poor guy end up in a shelter and who knows what could happen to him.
My only suggestion is that whoever you rehome him with, see if you can make a contract and have them sign it. Stating that they can't rehome him unless they contact you.
I woudn't want to see the poor guy end up in a shelter and who knows what could happen to him.
corbinam
Moderator
I am also sorry to hear about this. It does sound as though you have tried your best to help Buddy come around.
I hope that Buddy can find someone who can help him overcome his fears. It is a difficult task to undertake and it's understandable that given his fear and anxiety that keeping him around your family isn't a good fit.
I hope that Buddy can find someone who can help him overcome his fears. It is a difficult task to undertake and it's understandable that given his fear and anxiety that keeping him around your family isn't a good fit.