Understanding my sheltie

T

thenanster

Forums Novice
I am the new "mom" of a 3 year old rescue Sheltie....Laddie. He's a petite little guy and was an owner relinquishment (no known particular reason). He had been kicked by a farm animal, and we are under the impression that he spent most (if not all) his time outdoors.

My question is...any time I hold him, he gets very "still" like a statue! He stares at me. I don't know if he is scared, is enjoying it, or really couldn't care less!!! He doesn't make any attempt to "get away" from me or jump down. When I put him down, he "yips" at me...almost as if he wants to come back up...but then, when I reach for him, he backs up and yips and barks (like excited)....I'm SO confused! I'm not well versed in Sheltie just yet.

We have a border collie mix and a beagle mix already...I'm used to their talk and body language, but Laddie is keeping me guessing so far.

Any ideas how to tell which are happy barks, frustrated barks, bored barks, scared barks, etc.??????

Sometimes I feel sad, thinking he may not like it here that much! But, by and large, he seems genuinely happy with us!

Maybe he was "man-handled" by someone in the past???? Maybe the "kick" he got makes him afraid of "large animals" (like humans!!??)

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, BTW....we've had him about 2 1/2 months now.
 
I suspect he likes abing held; otherwise he'd probably try to get down. The barking behavior sounds like mine when they want us to play or go for a walk. "C'mon, Mom, let's go!!"

I'll bet you're well on your way to a very happy Laddie -- congratulations and welcome to you both!! :biggrin2:
 
I had hound mixes before my shelties (basset mix, beagle mix). They were much easier to tell what they wanted than my sheltie Callie. It took a long time before I could tell what she wanted. My boy, Cranberry, just barks sometimes- like he's saying 'I'm gonna lay down over here'. I always have to go see why he barked but sometimes that's it.
I agree if Laddie wanted down, he'd either try to jump down or squirm in some way.
Time and patience are the keys to rescue shelties feeling comfortable in their new homes :yes:
 
Chris said:
I suspect he likes abing held; otherwise he'd probably try to get down. The barking behavior sounds like mine when they want us to play or go for a walk. "C'mon, Mom, let's go!!"

I'll bet you're well on your way to a very happy Laddie -- congratulations and welcome to you both!! :biggrin2:
Click to expand...
+1

I might even guess that he was happy being held and is now saying LET'S PLAY! Chase me!

Sca does the random yip when he thinks I should be playing or feeding him (more of the second :lol:)
 
Sounds to me like he likes being held and wants to play when you put him down. I also have a rescue Laddie, who just celebrated his one year anniversary with us in December. He was found wandering as a stray and brought to sheltie rescue. At first he liked being rubbed and would come up on the bed if I called him, stay for a bit, then down and under the bed. He also had fear aggression. It just took a lot of love and patience. You would not believe it is the same boy now. He is so sweet, loving, has to be next to me all the time, no more fear aggression and he rarely goes under the bed. I'm sure your Laddie is happy to have his new mom - just give him lots of love and some time. Pretty soon I'll bet he'll be jumping in your lap to be held!
 
When you are holding him is he tense?

If not, then the rest of the behaviour seems like normal Sheltie silly.

If he's not relaxed when you hold him, then perhaps there is some fear going on.

They do have funny little quirks, and mostly THEY decide when they want to be cuddled.

You just have to be available 24 x 7 for when the spirit moves them! :lol:
 
Time & Patience

You have already had some very good advice. I will ditto the time and patience recommendation. We have had two rescue shelties and we currently have two more, and each brought their own past history baggage along with their unique personalities. THEY WILL RESPOND IN TIME IF YOU PROVIDE ABUNDANT PATIENCE AND LOVE. Shelties are a very sensitive breed. We may never know what brought them to rescue, but rescue brings them to a new stage in their lives in which they are safe, warm, well fed, entertained, and, mostly, loved. That will, in time, make up for just about anything in their past. Don't allow yourself to get frustrated. Just enjoy your rescue Sheltie for all of what, in time, he will bring to your life. You will not be sorry. Kind regards, Will
 
Welcome to the Sheltie Nation Forum!

You received great advise. Please feel free to introduce yourself and your pup in our "Say Hello" section.
 
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