Need help again - pacing

M

Mirabella

Forums Regular
I know this pup was not raised in a house and is coming to me at 8 months old to live mainly inside and he must adjust. But he is constantly pacing and will not be still for 2 seconds unless eating a meat stick or in the crate. I can't interest him in toys and he is really starting to resist the crate. I took him for a walk and we have been in the yard a fair amount.

Is this constant motion normal behavior? I don't know if I can take it if that is the case - I hate to whine but this is so different for me. I need words of encouragement.
Thanks again guys -
Norma
 
I don't know,but our two are never still unless they are napping.Go,go,go!

They have quiet times that they all (even Earnhardt) will crash in the afternoon.Jasper is very seldom in his crate during the day,even though we have 2 of them.One is at front end of the house,the other is his night crate in the guest room.

Resisting crate..I really don't know.Is he barking? Or do he seem uncomfortble?

How about excersise? These guys here are constantly on the go,I get tired just watching them,so when its down time,they are down for the count.

maybe try a frozen kong.Or hide n seek toys.I know amazon carries a nice seletion of those.Is there another dog he can visit,or play with? I think mental stimulation versus..physical can sometimes tire a dog more.
 
Smudge paces. I'm not sure. Might be a sheltie thing?

Smudge had Jennifer's dog, Shaine, pacing with him around their living room table once. They walked in a nice, neat line while they were doing it. If Smudge stopped and started walking another way, then Shaine would do it, too. Of course, it only lasted until Jennifer came back with the grooming table (maybe about 5 minutes).

Fluffy follows Smudge, too. Not sure what the deal is. If they are done playing, Smudge will start the walk up, and Fluffy will follow. No wonder it was murder trying to keep weight on him. He was always burning calories!
 
My dogs were like this at 8 months. They needed alot of simulation or they were bored. Mental work usually tired them out more then physical. It could be aniexty or boredom hard to know with seeing them.
 
Yep, I agree, sheepdogs so always on the alert. They do learn to settle down as they get older. Or maybe we just get used to it. He has just reached adolescence so think of a 12 yr old child - how often do they stand still?

Try getting him to work for his breakfast and dinner - hide the kibble or get/make a treat bottle. Keep some of his usual kibble aside so you can distract him during other times with a treat dispenser. You could make a little sandbox and hide things in it for him to dig and occupy himself (if you dont have room just use one of those under bed plastic containers). Teach him hide and seek. When you pick up the mail or take out the rubbish take him with you so he feels as though he has a job.

My boy thinks its his job to keep an eye on me, his 'flock' to I can't move anywhere without him - drove me nuts at first but I got used to it. If I want him to go away I hide a sock with a piece of dried lamb tied in it in the house and both the dogs go hunting for it and bring it back to me.
 
Mirabella said:
I know this pup was not raised in a house and is coming to me at 8 months old to live mainly inside and he must adjust. But he is constantly pacing and will not be still for 2 seconds unless eating a meat stick or in the crate. I can't interest him in toys and he is really starting to resist the crate. I took him for a walk and we have been in the yard a fair amount.

Is this constant motion normal behavior? I don't know if I can take it if that is the case - I hate to whine but this is so different for me. I need words of encouragement.
Thanks again guys -
Norma
Click to expand...

When we rescued Annie, she paced for several days. It takes time for a Sheltie to feel secure enough to relax. Just try to be patient. :wink2:
 
Thanks, all. Today was better - he actually laid down by my feet at the computer. I did get some food puzzle toys but poor guy has some diarrhea today so I am stopping the kibble and giving chicken and rice.

I am also going to put him in a bigger crate. That might help with the resistance to going in.
 
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