Week one

Week Two, whoppee doo!

Pinching myself as week two was easier than week 1. We have had no poops in the house, and a few interrupted pee's. Luckily just little spots, when he's playing he sometimes goes a little. He hasn't learned to stop playing when he gets the urge... but the playing is almost non stop thanks to an energetic Uncle Justus who indulges him...

I was very pleased that puppy has a time or two, chosen me over justus to tug with. :) Maybe that's because I let him win. :wink2:

We've got our ears taped down (last night) and we've been out and about to the off the beaten path places. He's met about 30 people, and many healthy shelties, and a schnauzer. Justus is being best buddy ever, and the Lhasa is the best grumpasorous ever. She uses lots of growls and lips and spares the teeth.

Ready for week three and longer nights, although we sleep from 11-5:30 a.m. now. That's better. At lunch, I'm still driving 20 mins home, 20 mins back, and have 20 mins to let puppy out, play and eat...

We are beginning to have a play retrieve! His recall is very good, very fast, and with increasing distractions. His sit is cute and tight, his down is totally sloppy and folded back in about 3 sections... :\:biggrin2:
 
I love a working sheepdog! I wish I could live on a sheep farm, where the dogs help with chores all day and sleep soundly all night.

We just finished our on-line AKC registration, was so easy. He's MINE! :biggrin2:

Not everyone wants/likes/needs a performance sheltie. My dogs are my pets first, but since I have no life outside of work and dog activities... it suits me just fine.

Last night he carried his tracking glove, picked up the metal scent article, learned a hand touch which will later be directed jumping... and we are starting the mark....

Little bitty brains at work!
 
2GoodDogs said:
I love a working sheepdog! I wish I could live on a sheep farm, where the dogs help with chores all day and sleep soundly all night.

We just finished our on-line AKC registration, was so easy. He's MINE! :biggrin2:

Not everyone wants/likes/needs a performance sheltie. My dogs are my pets first, but since I have no life outside of work and dog activities... it suits me just fine.

Last night he carried his tracking glove, picked up the metal scent article, learned a hand touch which will later be directed jumping... and we are starting the mark....

Little bitty brains at work!
Click to expand...

All well and good, but WHERE are the pictures????? :biggrin2: I've been out of the country the last 2 weeks and am catching up.
 
For the people who read this considering shelties -- it's good to realize the difference between a performance line and the rest. These are the high energy super smart super busy ones. They need an owner who understands this. They need to be worked with, taught, and challenged every day. Otherwise, they pull up the carpet staples or eat the walls or find some unpleasant way to challenge themselves.

So when I say "way to go little Flyer" and Mom, it is with absolute respect. This little guy is getting the best of the best of the best early experiences and he will be phenomenal as he advances.

We, on the other hand, work long hours from home. My three dogs nap, play with each other, and generally enjoy just being close to Mom. We are the couch potato end of the spectrum. However, we still we be attending classes, having outings, and hopefully will get into nosework or rally or something a little, well, slower. We also will take agility class when our joints are mature but casually and just for fun. We will even try treibball herding some day.

Just for those reading this -- shelties are not nuts. Rumor on the street is shelties are crazy. Actually they are wonderfully well-rounded and smart and fun. They can be couch potatoes like Cubby & Melli or active like Flyer & Justus. Know what you are choosing and what type your breeder or rescue has for your consideration.
 
Good points, Cara. When I chose Hanna I was really drawn to her little tri sister, I like my shelties on the smaller side and that one was so tiny (melt). However that little pup was a bundle of non-stop energy, and seriously cute as she was I knew she was not a fit for me (she ended up finding a home with a couple of guys who had just got married, and were active outdoorsy types - a perfect match!). Miss Hanna likes to play, but she is also fine with chilling at your feet. A 2-3 Km walk, considerably shorter in really cold or wet weather, and a good 20 minute session of fetch ( love ball throwers), provide her enough daily exercise. At least once a week we try to throw in a longer hike or a visit to the farm where she runs to her hearts content.

It's really important to work with your breeder and be truthful about the level of activity you can provide a dog. A bad fit can be a disaster for a high energy dog. It's why, much as I'm drawn to them I'll never own a border collie unless it's an older one ready for a retirement home.
 
Pictures are in the photo section (fuzzy photo updates) under the topic Flyer.
I have the last two days to put up, but you can see plenty of his adventures there. :smile2:
 
I have a very active little girl, but she does have an off button. I don't think I would work well with a non stop action dog.
 
picking the best fit

I think it is SO important to have good communication with your breeder, as they usually know a good fit for your lifestyle and personality. I just got home from choosing what will be my 2nd puppy this year. This will be my 4th sheltie in my life. The breeder really helped choosing Kaleigh earlier this year-as my beloved Sheltie passed in January, she had a LONG good life, but starting over after 17 yrs is rough. Kaleigh #3, has been perfect. She seems to be between my previous ones in temperment, smarts, energy, etc. Which is good as I had total opposites. Having a middle of the road girl at this stage works. Now, picking #4, the breeder knew Kaleigh, so she let us pick for both of us. The little girl that came over, let us check her out, then crawled up in my arms, settled and went to sleep won out, as she chose us, and I think that is really important. The breeder thought it was a good "family" fit, after she saw us interact. We bring her home in a few weeks, and I think there will be the adjustment period, but I think it will be ok. Their pups go quick, so I was grateful to have been able to see all the choices, and be confident that we got the right new family mbr, ha. Shelties are good at adapting as long as they have a positive situation, but I think it is so important to really have discussions and open communication with your breeder. Because they want a win/win for their puppies and the buyers. I love meeting the parents, because it solidifies how the offspring are. Kaleigh is so much like her parents it isn't funny. If you have the opportunity to meet the parents, and play with them I think that is also extremely helpful in determining how the puppy will behave.
 
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