No fence = No sheltie

Around here it is almost impossible to find a Sheltie to adopt. You almost never hear of one that is on the younger side. Even with the PA raids of the Amish puppy mills (our rescue helps to place those dogs) they get lots of dogs in....and are able to find homes for them.

So....they can be picky. If the Rescues are finding the homes, and the Shelties are in a safe place (foster home) until the perfect forever home comes along, then they have the right to be picky.

Believe me...the rescues are ONLY looking out for the dogs that are in their care. That is their passion. They are not trying to be difficult, but rather trying to find each dog a happy, healthy, forever home.
 
I think it's a combination of two things...
One, a lot of breeders and rescues are both concerned with how a person plans to exercise a dog when they don't have a fenced in yard. Your average pet owner isn't going on walks or anything of the sort to ensure their pup gets the exercise they need. (why do you think we see SO many BCs in shelters?)
The other I've kind of gotten a feel of is they are fearful the dog will get loose and be on the run.. That the dog has already had to be rescued once, and shouldn't have to be put into a situation where it might wind up back in a rescue or worse.
 
I'm with Danisgoat. The people that donate their time and resources to provide a safe haven for shelties take their responsibility very seriously.

They feel the need to make sure that the dog they place, will forever be safe.

In the real world, people with very good, earnest intentions promise to provide a safe environment, and a forever home for the sheltie they receive.
Over time, many people become lazy with the way they watch over their dog, ie. it's raining, so the dog will be let out, just outside the door to do business, and come right back in. But things can happen, and a dog can fall into harms way.

Rescue groups feel that having a fenced yard is a safety net for the sheltie. That the chance of something happening to that dog is greatly reduced.

And I totally agree.
 
SheltieGuy said:
I think it should be a case by case basis.... let them come to your home and you can show them they will have a better quality of life with you than being in a shelter or rescue. NO FENCE = NO SHELTIE needs to stop!!! Shelters have too many rules and regulations and are preventing animals from getting good homes.
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Amen! Our rescue does not require a fence, how can we when the rescue coordinator doesn't have a fence? :)
 
All our shelties were apartment dwellers

Hi,

We just adopted our third Sheltie. We had two, one rescue and one purchased from a breeder, that died last fall. We live in a three-room apartment with a designated dog area. The town has a leash law, as does our condo association, so running away isn't a problem. Neither is exercise because we walk them, take them to dog parks, and play fetch with them. We also visit with people who do have yards.

My boyfriend has owned Shelties for 18 years, and only lived in a house for four of those years.

Have patience with the rescue organiztions. Around here in New England, they tend to only require a fenced-in yard if they think the dog's circumstances warrants it. One of the Sheltie rescue organizations we applied to will specify whether a fence is a necessity or not. The most common reasons I've seen are: the dog may have a known history of running away; the dog has special needs like deafness that prevents them from keeping themselves safe from cars or strangers; the dog is already known to be happier with a yard to play in.

There is a legitimate concern about socializing Shelties by allowing them to expend energy and remain physically and mentally active. But, "fenced in yard" is only one way to accomplish it.

Our newest boy, Cosmo, was born and raised for four years in rural Vermont, and lived with 13 cats and one other dog. He is timid and the rescue organization wanted to place him in a household without a lot of activity. An apartment that's easy to navigate, with a yard for potty and attentive people who are quick with a b-a-l-l are all he seems to need to be happy.

Also, I lived in a city when I first met Brendan, and once I knew Shelties as a breed I noticed that they are actually a very popular breed with apartment dwellers. The ones I met in the neighborhood thrived on meeting people on their walks.
 
missjenneygirl said:
Over time, many people become lazy with the way they watch over their dog, ie. it's raining, so the dog will be let out, just outside the door to do business, and come right back in. But things can happen, and a dog can fall into harms way.
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Yep, that happened to me *with* my fence. Let the dogs out in a windstorm, not knowing the wind had blown some of the pickets off. One of the dogs I had had less than 24 hours. *Cookie* is a wonderful word, even the new dog knew it. BTW, I made the fence company come out and fix the pickets. Have had no problems since.

Rescue groups feel that having a fenced yard is a safety net for the sheltie. That the chance of something happening to that dog is greatly reduced.
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That completely depends on the dog. Our rescue seems to specialize in fence-jumpers and escape artists. Those dogs go to homes with no fences, or with really tall fences. We don't want people to become complacent with a dog that has an escape history. We provide a martingale collar or adjustable nylon choke (those are pretty cool) and send them on their way.
 
On our website we do have that a fenced yard is required. This is to let people know that most all rescue dogs can become or are flight risks. It does NOT mean that we will ignore a good home in an apartment or a condo or a home that is in a HOA where a fence is not permitted. We work to find them the best fit sheltie for their home environment. The only way we refuse anyone is when the applicant is stubborn about a certain dog or a dog of a certain age that we know could be a great flight risk. If these people are not willing to trust us to find them the best dog for their environment then yes we will suggest they go somewhere else. To our way of thinking we have to do what is good for the dog rather than what the people want. Each applicant is considered whether they have a fence or not. Some of our foster homes do not have fencing. Rescues that are narrow minded about families without fences miss out on placing some very deserving dogs.
 
No fence, no sheltie

We have three dogs, two rescue and one we have had since a baby. The first one Misty a shepherd/collie mix was originally rescued by my brother who lives on a farm, his dogs have always followed him around and never fenced. Misty however was a little non-bright, she would follow him around but if not watched closely would wander off and not know how to get home so he was forever collecting her from the surrounding farms. She came to live with us because we have a fenced yard. Maddie and Louie were rescued from sheltie rescue, they are/were both very reactive dogs, skittish and afraid of many things (also loving and wonderful dogs) but I have no doubt that if something happened to the fence or I dropped the leash they would be gone in a flash if something scared them. Meggie however, we have had since 8 weeks, she is a real Mamas girl and never far from me, she doesn’t care to be outside very much she would prefer to be where I am. She is not fearful and is much more even tempered, other than herding Louie she is a much different sheltie than the others. It makes me think because of the different not so happy backgrounds of the rescues they are much more fearful and more inclined to escape or run than the sheltie that has been raised in a loving caring home.
 
we were also turned down by one of the rescues because of the fence, another one was willing to work with us but I got scared of having that particular pup who had high prey drive, hyperactive and chase cats which we have 2...
but yeah, our Central IL sheltie rescue does require a fence...
I think they should strongly recommend it but but not require... sure it is a great tool and pleasure to let your dog run bit as we do not have one- I am obligated to go rain or shine... which creates better bond, figures out elimination pattern easier and makes me more committed in the end.... I think shelters should look beyond requirement for the fence....
 
mbfrench said:
Well a few mother Hubbard cookies..and me sitting on the counter cause they we soooo close to me.I could'nt get them to back off! I had a time with Earnie,as he does not like his picture taken.
But thank you..hopefully next time we'll get all 4 (Bumper) in there somewhere.

Like I said,things happen for a reason.We are extremely satisfied now with our pups.Life is good~
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Maybe you need to use tuna next time, so Bumper can get in on the photo. ;) I have a difficult enough time with my two and Miko's a ham and Koji will sit for food. lol.
 
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