hello all i have a 3month old blue merle boy and i'm just wondering do their temperments change a lot when they get older? He seems less shy now and a little more friendly but still doesn't really like to cuddle and sometimes runs away kind of playfully maybe, if i go down to pick him up. Will he eventually be a dog who loves me a lot haha and loves cuddling? I am trying to get him socialized he loves meeting new people and wags like crazy if i come home or he meets someone new so i know he;s probably getting there!
temperment can change?
- Thread starter cait28
- Start date
Chris
Premium Member
Cait, that's typical Sheltie puppy behavior. I have four, and the three I raised from puppy all were very independent and non-snuggly until they were almost a year. Oh, they all loved petting and hugs; they just didn't want to be held for long periods. The world is just too exciting right now for Riley to be still and cuddle. 
Emmasmom
Forums Sage
Emma has always been a cuddler, except when it is playtime. She even snuggles as close (read as in almost on top of mom) at night. Noah on the other hand was not a cuddler. Too independent I think. Hamish though not a cuddler (I got him at age 3 from my sister) would love to lie at our feet as close as he could get - he lost a lot of his tail fur that way.
Riley has a whole new world to explore and conquer. Give him time - and cuddle with him when he will allow (yes allow - they give the orders you know) and just enjoy the wonderful little furry being you have brought into your life.
Riley has a whole new world to explore and conquer. Give him time - and cuddle with him when he will allow (yes allow - they give the orders you know) and just enjoy the wonderful little furry being you have brought into your life.
take4roll10
Moderator
Like people, dogs all have different personalities and temperaments.
Socialization and praising your puppy when hes affectionate may help him become more cuddly and affectionate.
My puppy was always on the go and too busy running around to cuddle and be affectionate. She just turned a year old and is starting to become less selfish and more in tune with my feelings. She's not a dog that has to be on top of you, but has to be in the same room as you. She was this way as a puppy and I didn't see that changing.
Socialization and praising your puppy when hes affectionate may help him become more cuddly and affectionate.
My puppy was always on the go and too busy running around to cuddle and be affectionate. She just turned a year old and is starting to become less selfish and more in tune with my feelings. She's not a dog that has to be on top of you, but has to be in the same room as you. She was this way as a puppy and I didn't see that changing.
At 3 months old he/she is probably just feeling comfortable in his new home & starting to open up a little.
My puppy Vash is 4 months, he only snuggles when he's too tired to try to escape, or when I've climbed into his ex-pen with him. The rest of the time he's too busy sniffing around looking for treats or wanting me to play with him to snuggle.
When I brought Vash home from the breeder he stuck by my side constantly, I couldn't move an inch without him following me, It made getting him accustomed to touching simple because he'd just lay in my lap and wouldn't move out of it or explore, he wouldn't eat much (certianly nothing besides treats), 2 months later he's hoping up in my lap, going off into places when i'm not looking, barking at his friends (dogs) when we go on walks, gobbling down any scrap of food that happens to touch the floor, ect.
He's still pretty much a "saint" as puppies are concerned, his teething hasn't resulted in any damaged furniture, he doesn't bark a whole lot (for a sheltie), he doesn't really pull much on the leash, and he plays fetch without any training.
That said, he has gone through a number of personality changes over these past few months. He's become more confident in himself and in me, and as that's happened he's developed new personality traits and behaviors (some good/some bad).
The worst change honestly was when he stopped whimpering when he had to potty and started barking. I was a little slow in catching on and that resulted in about 7 accidents in the house that day.
My puppy Vash is 4 months, he only snuggles when he's too tired to try to escape, or when I've climbed into his ex-pen with him. The rest of the time he's too busy sniffing around looking for treats or wanting me to play with him to snuggle.
When I brought Vash home from the breeder he stuck by my side constantly, I couldn't move an inch without him following me, It made getting him accustomed to touching simple because he'd just lay in my lap and wouldn't move out of it or explore, he wouldn't eat much (certianly nothing besides treats), 2 months later he's hoping up in my lap, going off into places when i'm not looking, barking at his friends (dogs) when we go on walks, gobbling down any scrap of food that happens to touch the floor, ect.
He's still pretty much a "saint" as puppies are concerned, his teething hasn't resulted in any damaged furniture, he doesn't bark a whole lot (for a sheltie), he doesn't really pull much on the leash, and he plays fetch without any training.
That said, he has gone through a number of personality changes over these past few months. He's become more confident in himself and in me, and as that's happened he's developed new personality traits and behaviors (some good/some bad).
The worst change honestly was when he stopped whimpering when he had to potty and started barking. I was a little slow in catching on and that resulted in about 7 accidents in the house that day.
Megan is 9 months old and she has never been a snuggler or a lap dog AT ALL. She is the more independant, oh whatever type of Sheltie. However, I/we have always forced our affections on her, 
, and she's little more affectionate then she used to be, just a little.
You'll notice your pup will show affection in different ways, and you'll adjust
, and she's little more affectionate then she used to be, just a little.You'll notice your pup will show affection in different ways, and you'll adjust
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
Sca has a new habit. He goes up the couch and stretches up next to me. I can either grab him and snuggle him or get attacked. He is happy with either choice now, used to prefer the attack.
Caro
Moderator
Absolutely they change!
As pups many are not that cuddly - they want to be moving and playing, cuddling means standing still! My girl was a tearaway, rat bag, stubborn and headstrong when she was young (she epitomised why 'bitch' is a swear word!). Now she is the sweetest, most affectionate adult. She is still has the same basic personality from puppyhood - confident when moving but a little shy at other times.
Deska used to want to just play with everyone and everything as a pup, nowadays he prefers to cuddle from all the humans and isnt that worried about playing with other dogs.
It will take time for your pup to work out what you want them to be. The great thing about shelties are they will adapt to their owners needs. But you have to get through puppyhood, and worse - adolescence , before your pup will settle.
My dogs have always been affectionate - but I persist with cuddling them as pups even though they dont want it. Its like teaching them to sit - keep repeating and rewarding the behaviour and eventually it becomes second nature. Either my dogs just give in or they learn to love it, but they do end up as the best cuddlers.
As pups many are not that cuddly - they want to be moving and playing, cuddling means standing still! My girl was a tearaway, rat bag, stubborn and headstrong when she was young (she epitomised why 'bitch' is a swear word!). Now she is the sweetest, most affectionate adult. She is still has the same basic personality from puppyhood - confident when moving but a little shy at other times.
Deska used to want to just play with everyone and everything as a pup, nowadays he prefers to cuddle from all the humans and isnt that worried about playing with other dogs.
It will take time for your pup to work out what you want them to be. The great thing about shelties are they will adapt to their owners needs. But you have to get through puppyhood, and worse - adolescence , before your pup will settle.
My dogs have always been affectionate - but I persist with cuddling them as pups even though they dont want it. Its like teaching them to sit - keep repeating and rewarding the behaviour and eventually it becomes second nature. Either my dogs just give in or they learn to love it, but they do end up as the best cuddlers.
MeAndAmber
Forums Regular
I used the same method. When I first got Amber, she did not like being held, or sitting on my lap. So what I did was I would hold her and let her struggle but I wouldn't let her go until she is completely calm. When she has calmed down, I would say, "good girl" and then I let her go. Each time I did this, I kept her waiting calmly for a little longer time than before and keep elongating the time and she eventually learned to not be so much of a wiggle butt and now she loves sitting in my lap and being held belly up and handled altogether. My male sheltie however, is as stubborn as a mule. He loves to be petted, rubbed, and scratched but does not want to be held for very long
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
The personalities of my two girls have both changed as they've gotten older.
As pups Sadie was never affectionate. She was simply too busy to cuddle and was rather hyperactive. As she got older they hyperactivity ceased but she never enjoyed being petted or cuddled. She did however tolerate it. Not long after we brought our second sheltie home, that all changed. Ginny always enjoyed being cuddled by anyone who would have her and now Sadie will climb up beside me or rub against my leg for attention.
Although she was a cuddler, it was clear that Ginny was very attached to Sadie and not my husband or myself. Its taken time and training but we no longer feel that way. She is still very attached to Sadie but also loves her mom and Dad and really enjoys pleasing us. She is very obedient now, where before she was just bossy and had an attitude, and she also has a great recall. For ages we were frustrated with her because she WOULD NOT come to us, but instead liked to try and instigate a game of chase.
Give it time and do some training classes with her, in time she will come around. The first year is the hardest part, in which time you mold the pup into what you want. After that its smooth sailing.
As pups Sadie was never affectionate. She was simply too busy to cuddle and was rather hyperactive. As she got older they hyperactivity ceased but she never enjoyed being petted or cuddled. She did however tolerate it. Not long after we brought our second sheltie home, that all changed. Ginny always enjoyed being cuddled by anyone who would have her and now Sadie will climb up beside me or rub against my leg for attention.
Although she was a cuddler, it was clear that Ginny was very attached to Sadie and not my husband or myself. Its taken time and training but we no longer feel that way. She is still very attached to Sadie but also loves her mom and Dad and really enjoys pleasing us. She is very obedient now, where before she was just bossy and had an attitude, and she also has a great recall. For ages we were frustrated with her because she WOULD NOT come to us, but instead liked to try and instigate a game of chase.
Give it time and do some training classes with her, in time she will come around. The first year is the hardest part, in which time you mold the pup into what you want. After that its smooth sailing.