Poor Sheldon

S

SheltieSmile

Forums Regular
Ok a little advice is needed. Disney is 7 mos old and going through terrible two's. He will not leave Sheldon (12 yrs) alone. He wants to play and grabs ahold of Sheldon's tail and pulls. Puts his bottom in his face. Bites his back legs and ears. It's constant. We were told let Sheldon work it out and he will let Disney know when he had enough. But he doesn't. He barks at him but that is it. Sheldon is getting stressed and is starting to chew is paws. What can we do? Do we step in or just let it happen?
 
I would distract Disney. Likely if he loses focus he will leave Sheldon alone some. Sounds like Sheldon doesn't mind other than the quantity. Oh and while he is 4 not 12 Sca never really corrects Spitfire. He will turn the tables on occasion but never a harsh correction and Spitfire is 2 now so he has had time.
 
I had people saying that too (let them work it out) then a behaviourist said to me - you don't let dogs 'just work it out', it's your house, you're the boss, your rules. Letting them work it out is a good way to get into fights, although fortunately with our shelties they are pretty gentle and will put up with a lot.

So definitely step in. Give Sheldon somewhere he can go to get away from Disney, and if Disney is being really obnoxious give him some time out. It's up to you first to teach Disney appropriate behaviour, no doubt Sheldon will have a few things to add at times, but I'm sure he'll be happier knowing you've 'got his back'.
 
Redirect Disney to a different game. Instead of "torture Sheldon", give him a toy and engage him in a game of tug or fetch (or whatever he likes to do).
 
Trust me, I have this battle with my dog torturing one of my cats. She spins and puts her butt up against him like she's going to sit on him. She'll bite at his feet, and sometimes he'll play back, but then he starts growling and I have to call her off and offer her a toy.

It would be a lot easier if the stupid cat would just jump up where she can't get to him like the other cat does. He's very sweet, but a little "slow".
 
Definitely redirect. Don't worry I have the same issue with Ruutu. He finds he must jump ON Honey. Literally lands on Honey's back. Poor girl and she's already showing old age pretty badly at 9, just slower, trouble eating food (we water it for her) and jumping on the bed (we lift her). We do both. We redirect and let her growl/attack him. He doesn't care if she barks, growls, lunges at him... he continues to do it. Once she shows she's annoyed I re-direct him. He just doesn't get growling doesn't mean she wants to play... or maybe he gets it and wants to nag his grumpy sister.
 
Fillion's favorite games are some variation of the old Dr. Seuss book "Hop on Pop" (which starts with the first line UP PUP Pup is up!) LOL
One of us intervenes (usually my husband) when poor Koko is being run ragged.
 
I had this with Cranberry and Callie - she was older and didn't want to put up with puppy shenanigans.....
he would bark in her face until she got up with teeth showing and chased him.
it's like when they're barking and you yell at them to stop- they don't care what kind of attention it is so long as they get something...
Cran was perfectly happy to let her chase him away- not that it ever went more than 2 steps but he got what he wanted so he never stopped.
that would be when Dixie entered the picture- a more appropriate playmate and buffer for Callie:yes:

now there's little puppy Jocu and Dixie is the one who occasionally puts the boys in their places....
 
I second Caro. By letting the dogs 'work it out' you are letting the dogs make the decision. And that is taking your position in the whole hierarchy. Shelties aren't generally a dominant breed so sometimes we let them get away with things because the repercussions aren't so apparent, but Sheldon will appreciate it all the more! And Disney will figure out that Sheldon isn't 'his' toy to play with but 'your' dog just like he is.
 
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