Un-doing bad habits, Adopting 5-month old

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Wagonracer

Forums Regular
I would like some opinions on adopting a 5-month old Sheltie. I've gotten so much great information from this group... Is it possible to un-train bad habits on a 5-month old? Is it realistic, and not too difficult? Here's the situation; A breeder I've been talking to had personal issues that made her have a friend take care of a litter of puppies. She has since taken them back because the friend that was taking care of them didn't do such a great job (kept unclean). Now she has them back with her and they are 5 months old. They are crate trained and have been cleaned up but they do bark. Once seperated from a litter would a puppy tend to stop barking or bark less or is this something that can't be undone? Others I have seen haven't barked at all but they have been younger. Would any of you adopt one of these under these conditions? Thanks for any opinions...
 
I would adopt a 5 month old puppy but I'm the same person that has taken in a 1 1/2 yr. and two 6 yr. olds in the last two years. At 5 months old they are still very trainable. There have been other posts with information as to training the dog not to bark as much. I personally have one that barks and one that really doesn't. The one that barks, Marlie, I have used the penny can method for things that she barked at like the vacuum. It worked. Now the ceiling fan I can't seem to break her of barking at. Not sure why, maybe she thinks it is a bird in the house but she barks whenever we turn it on. She also barks when we are using the hose and she barks while she is out. I don't try to break her of everything because it's just her and my family and I deal with it. Again, there are methods of training them not to bark - it will probably just take time and they do tend to bark more when they are with others. Hope that helps!! :wink2:
 
Why keep looking at breeders with less than ideal puppies? There are GOOD puppies out there who've had good starts in life. You shouldn't have to start out with a problem puppy that you have to fix. It is not your problem that the breeder didn't have the puppies to make sure they got the correct early attention. I personally would not pay money for a problem puppy when there are so many better options available.
I would be worried about the socialization these pups have had. If they were kept in such poor conditions, it's likely the person didn't care enough to get them out into the world either.
Barking, no, I wouldn't consider that a major problem. Most shelties bark. It just doesn't sound like these pups have had a good start in life.
 
I guess it really depends on what you are up for. While you shouldn't have to settle, I guess I feel that every dog deserves a home, so if you meet the pup and feel comfortable with him, at 5 months they are still definitely trainable. Most puppy schools don't actually start them till that age anyway.

Barking should not be an issue. Dogs bark and most can be trained to bark only when required. (there actually are times when you DO want your dog to bark!).

The advantage to an older pup is that the house training is done! :biggrin2:
 
The barking of the sheltie isn't something that would stop me from buying a sheltie, with training and consistency I've been able to train them not to bark excessively. But a 5 month old dog that hasn't been socialized, may not ever be a good dog, especially for a family. The first 17 weeks are the ideal time to socialize your dog and without that, it is usually very difficult to socialize the dog, EVER. If the puppy comes to you with timidity or fear, that can turn into an aggressive dog. If he comes to you quickly and happily, that is a sign that he has been socialized. Do you have information on the Voldhart puppy test? It will give you a good idea of what you are getting into. Best of luck.
 
I took in a 10 month old, Crazy is well named. He was kept in a kennel with three other dogs so socialized not too sure on that one. Barked all the time was very frighted of people. Yes takes alot of work :yes: but he is now almost three yrs old and is a good little dog. I even took him to the groomers and they told me how great he was. Now the barking:no:thats better but not were I would like it to be. i guess it all comes down to how much you want to do. good luck on what ever you do.
 
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