Will Laddie ever act right, I am concerned

A million thanks for all of your answers.

I feel ashamed, I should not have expected more out of my little Laddie than what he could give as a puppy. Of course he will act like this, it is normal, I just did not realize this because in all honesty, that first Sheltie of mine was so calm as a pup, it was unreal, so, I never knew any difference, now that I know and you dear folks are helping me to realize what a "normal" sheltie is like, I can cope and really enjoy him and work with him. It has been my fault, never the dogs, he wants to please, it is up to me to learn how to talk "Sheltie" better.

Thanks again, oh, I will sure research the "clicker" I do not recall ever hearing about it. Also, drats, there are not any schools are clubs for training nearby, I guess the closest is Christchurch, 2 hours a way. I can see of my DH would mind me driving there alone once a week, you see, LOL, being American, I am use to driving on the opposite side of the road, and he understandably is nervous when I go too far, but maybe something can be worked out. In the meantime, I will read the threads here, go to YouTube and work like crazy to be the good owner and trainer I should be.

You are all the greatest:hugs
 
My Beau did not let me touch him when I brought him home.

I ignored him and let him watch me. A few days he came up to me while I was sitting on the floor and he stuck his little nose in my armpit. I rubbed his back side and verbally reassured him to let him know he was in a safe home and that I wasn't going to hurt him. He eventually increased his time that he would let me pet him, fast forward five years later he can't get enough belly rubbing. The only time HE will ignore me now is when I come home smelling like another dog.


You have been given excellent advice by people on the board. I think a combination of behaviorist training and time you will be fine with your babe. Beau never did like the clicker. the sound is to loud for his ears.
 
Drats, I am getting depressed:(, I have been searching all morning for clubs to join in the Christchurch area, so far, one has written me and more of less discouraged me because I live so far away, (2 hours about) I knew I would run into this problem. I want to join a club to learn better obedience training and to meet neat people, but in this small village, it just is not going to be easy, I am so far from everything.

I want to join the NZKC, but they will not let me join unless I am a member of one of their affiliated clubs, gee, well, I will keep on trying.
 
Jeepers, you are having a bad day. I'm surprised the NZKC still has a requirement for people to be members of a club - they got rid of that years ago here because they're just weren't enough people joining. Besides, what's the point.

You must be way down south in the middle of nowhere! 'Fancy discouraging a potential member - someone wanting to join from so far away should be welcomed with open arms. We get quite a few members from the countryside at my club, the don't always make it to classes, but many of them end up trialling in agility or obedience.
 
Yeah, it was bad, and today was not much better. I did not hear from any of the other clubs, guess they all think I am too far away.

I live in Hanmer Springs, it is a little nothing of a village, and Christchurch is the closest community with anything major. I have never lived this isolated before and I am not liking it. If I was back home, there would be lots of clubs to join I am sure, and besides, the AKC is not like that, they could care less if I am a club member, I think that rule is ignorant. Man.
 
You say Laddie #1 was calmer but how much is it that you were younger with more energy and maybe your parents did a bunch you do not remember? Add in that of course you remember him grown up more and factor that in.

My last dog Dow was super tuned to me and when I first got Sca I thought holy cow! but then I started to think how much of a terror Dow was as a pup (a huge terror) and realized Sca was doing well. Of course now people have him tagged as the good dog and well Spitfire .... :lol:
 
You say Laddie #1 was calmer but how much is it that you were younger with more energy and maybe your parents did a bunch you do not remember? Add in that of course you remember him grown up more and factor that in.

My last dog Dow was super tuned to me and when I first got Sca I thought holy cow! but then I started to think how much of a terror Dow was as a pup (a huge terror) and realized Sca was doing well. Of course now people have him tagged as the good dog and well Spitfire .... :lol:

You are right, I was actually thinking about that yesterday. With Laddie the first, I was in my 20's, ( I am now 56) I had my family near by and I was not in a strange country. My folks did not train him, I did it all. I was going through a slight nervous breakdown due to marital issues (got divorced later) so, I worked hard day and night with him, everyone was so impressed at the outcome.
 
Hi, just another suggestion have you thought of looking up online video training classes? I know of Pam's Dog Training that uses clicker style training but I'm sure there would be others which would suit you better than driving halfway across NZ :). Pam also has lots of free videos on her website. A clicker can be used or also just "yes" as a marker, though apparently a clicker works best while they are learning and then the marker word can be used when practicing or maintaining the command.
I'd really recommend Kikopup/Dogmantics dog training youtube and website for great information and support.
 
I plan on doing that, may be the best idea. I did hear from someone finally and they sounded positive, so, I will look into this group some more. They have a wonderful indoor training area, they mainly train for show, so, I have asked them if they train for obedience and agility as well.
 
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