Reactive sheltie needs help!!

Do they have a daycare near them? Where they could take him maybe twice a week?

I'll be honest. I ruined Koji. When we brought him home, he was a typical puppy, but more on the calm side. At some point, he turned into a maniac. I can't say what it was from, but I was told the same things also, exercise! Mental games! etc. I did what I could, but nothing really tired him out.

I finally gave in a hired a dog walker twice a week. I was also going home daily to let him out at lunch and give him a quick 15 min walk. Nothing helped. If anything, the dog walker made him more neurotic (anxiety from wanting to see them).

I know now, I should have just spent the money on daycare at least once a week.

I brought home this stable puppy and after a couple of months we were seriously debating on returning him that's how bad it was. I took obedience classes, puppy classes, even started agility for this reason. But by the time we got to that point, he was already a year old and all screwed up by my own hands.

IMHO, if they can't find a way to exercise him (daycare, daily dog walker, etc), and if he is this bad...wait until he gets older and is like this anyways. Koji is a mess, but I'm working on it. He will never be calm outdoors ever again. I ruined that. No behaviorist is going to fix the problem (because I'd have to do it) and unless I work on it daily, it will never get better. I know that. It's just too bad these people don't.

Koji is now 4.5 yo. He's FINALLY settled down more at home. Took only 3 years. He's a nut job outdoors mostly, but we've also continued agility and hubby has been home daily for the past 1.5 years. I think that was our saving grace.

Good luck with this couple. If they truly aren't going to put the effort into it, even if it means hiring a dog walker daily or taking him to daycare, I would really think about lying and taking him back. I screwed Koji up big time within that first year. I suggest you make a decision soon if you can, because the longer you wait, the more this dog will never get over it.

I feel bad for what happened with Koji, but I have never owned a dog like him. Miko really did spoil me completely. He was so easy. I know now how to handle it, but too little too late for Koji.
 
I have suggested daycare and dog walkers none of that advise was followed.


If the problem was just his behavior outside they probably would be ok with it. unfortunatly he does this in the house. Which to me most of it sounds like normal adolecent behavior; the zoomies, trying to get stuff off the counter. The rest is boredom and frustration.
 
I'm sorry you are going through this JessicaR. It must not be easy. :(

How frustrating is it that everyone is telling them what they need to be doing but all the suggestions are ignored. :mad: They hired a behaviorist yet fail to follow his suggestions of more exercise.

Hang in there. I'm hoping they will wake up and decide to offer the proper exercise for an adolescent Sheltie pup or either give him back to you to be sent to the other family. I have my fingers crossed and I am sending you some positive thoughts.

At least the pup will have a good week with you.

Please keep us updated.
 
It's all pretty harsh, guys! We don't know these people, and shouldn't we be trying to help rather than criticize? I mean, we really don't know the exact situation.

It seems to me the pup and owners just need education and support. Maybe a Sheltie still won't be right for them, but I don't think any of us, except Jessica, really is in a position to say at this point. Maybe they don't really understand how to use Jessica's advice? And need to be shown?

That being said: I will always bless my breeder for preparing Bacca before I brought him home.

First thing she did was to start crate training him away from mom and siblings.
Second, knowing that Bacca was going to be going from country to the suburbs, she took Bacca out on the front lawn every day by himself and "taught" him about cars. I don't know what technique specifically, but I'm sure it involved alot of treats and praise.

When I brought him home at 8 weeks, he slept through the night and has never shied from a car since.

Jessica - I sure hope this works out for the pup in the end. I know you will form your own judgment and do what needs be done. Best of luck!
 
BarbV said:
It's all pretty harsh, guys! We don't know these people, and shouldn't we be trying to help rather than criticize? I mean, we really don't know the exact situation.

It seems to me the pup and owners just need education and support. Maybe a Sheltie still won't be right for them, but I don't think any of us, except Jessica, really is in a position to say at this point. Maybe they don't really understand how to use Jessica's advice? And need to be shown?
Click to expand...

Barb, I was originally of this opinion as well. However, Jessica has posted multiple times and explained that this family has hired a behaviorist, and not heeded his advice regarding exercise/class.

She also told them repeatedly that he needed more exercise, such as a job, or even walks, etc...and they have not done that. She even stated that he has not even been getting a daily walk at all.

I don't think this family needs to be educated on how to walk a dog. They appear to just want an easy, lazy solution, and that's not going to happen with a sheltie.
 
The big question here, do they have time for a pup? If they are not taking heed to the trainer's advice it sounds like its all about the time they have with the pup. Very little time.

The couple has to understand behavior is not going to be corrected over-night by a trainer. The couple has to keep up the training shown to them. If they don't have the time, its not going to happen.

We all know, you bring a pup in, and say don't do that and don't do this and they understand? LOL! Might as well talk to the wall. Time, patience, love and praise.

My heart goes out to you Jessica, hope all turns out well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top