Our Sheltie Finley is going to have a new sister tomorrow! Since we got Finley as a puppy (12 weeks), we have never adopted an older Sheltie. We have adopted a 2 year old sheltie and bringing her home tomorrow for the first time. We know the basics; she will be nervous, unsure and maybe scared and we have prepped our home to make a comfortable easy transition, but any advice would be helpful.
Adopting a 2 year old, any advice?
- Thread starter glovin
- Start date
Calliesmom
Moderator
be patient with the new girl- it will take her some time to adjust. Callie was 5 when I got her from sheltie rescue and she was a little uneasy for a while. She didn't eat the first few days - I asked the rescue what she had been eating before but she started eating the food here before I could pick up the old stuff. I had an older dog that showed her the ropes- she picked up a lot from her older brother. All the dogs get to go in their crates to keep them safe while I can't watch them. They do get crate biscuits to help make it nice to be in the crate.
I agree that patience is very important. But after adopting more than 80 shelties to new homes through our rescue there is one mistake you must NOT make.. Even though she will be nervous and unsure all house rules should be implemented the minute she walks into the house. Not two weeks later. If the dogs are allowed on the couch and she wants to be up there fine if they are not allowed there then she may NOT be up on the couch... Keep your voice firm but kind when you reprimand her and she will learn to trust your voice as the authority figure. If she is allowed to do as she pleases for the first couple of weeks in your home she isn't going to understand why all of a sudden she cannot do things that she was allowed to do before...
Feed her by hand for the first couple of days to help build the bond between you and offer her treats by calling her to you several times in a day. This way she will learn that all good things come from your hand. You should also know about not expecting her to tell you that she has to potty, she isn't going to know how to communicate to you and you aren't going to know her body language for the first week or so.. So expect accidents even though she has been reported to be house trained...
Good luck and let us know how she's doing...
Hugs
Judy
Feed her by hand for the first couple of days to help build the bond between you and offer her treats by calling her to you several times in a day. This way she will learn that all good things come from your hand. You should also know about not expecting her to tell you that she has to potty, she isn't going to know how to communicate to you and you aren't going to know her body language for the first week or so.. So expect accidents even though she has been reported to be house trained...
Good luck and let us know how she's doing...
Hugs
Judy
Chris
Premium Member
When Judy speaks, we ALL listen -- she's the pro!! 
I got my first Sheltie, Meggie, at 15 weeks and adopted Cooper when he was about 14 months old. And, he came from Judy's house.
I think all dogs are different because Cooper was not the least bid shy, from minute one. It's nice when there is another dog to show them the ropes. We did have a couple of house training issues, but eventually I learned that his signal to go out was NOTHING like Meggie's. It was definitely Mom who didn't know what she was doing, not Cooper.
Introduce them in a controlled environment and let them get to know one another while you are around and attentive. Just to make sure there are no issues. When we went to meet Cooper, Meggie sat at my feet and Cooper put his head in my lap. They instantly got along. There have been moments of slight jealousy on Meggie's part, but they are brief and few and far between.
A friend who recently adopted a shelter dog had more issues with her existing dog than the one coming into the home. So pay attention to everyone!
I think all dogs are different because Cooper was not the least bid shy, from minute one. It's nice when there is another dog to show them the ropes. We did have a couple of house training issues, but eventually I learned that his signal to go out was NOTHING like Meggie's. It was definitely Mom who didn't know what she was doing, not Cooper.
Introduce them in a controlled environment and let them get to know one another while you are around and attentive. Just to make sure there are no issues. When we went to meet Cooper, Meggie sat at my feet and Cooper put his head in my lap. They instantly got along. There have been moments of slight jealousy on Meggie's part, but they are brief and few and far between.
A friend who recently adopted a shelter dog had more issues with her existing dog than the one coming into the home. So pay attention to everyone!
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
Well we got our new baby. We drove from Chicago to Madison,Wi and made it in about 2 hours and a bit of change. My Finley met Kinsey and it was like they were long lost sisters.
Both are high energy dogs but fortunately Kinsey is pretty quiet and always has been (why do I not believe that). These two have been wresting for hours and hours and laying next to each other (for about 3 minutes which I suspect is a record for my dog when it comes to laying down).
She had a rough life before this but those days are over.
Both are high energy dogs but fortunately Kinsey is pretty quiet and always has been (why do I not believe that). These two have been wresting for hours and hours and laying next to each other (for about 3 minutes which I suspect is a record for my dog when it comes to laying down).
She had a rough life before this but those days are over.
Thank you for all the wonderful advice! We brought Kinsey home today and her and Finley haven't stopped playing since. She ate her food with no problem and we are so excited she is in a good home now. She has some fur loss due to stress and a shaved area on the nape of her neck where a mass was removed. The shelter told us that she had fleas so bad that is caused much of her fur loss. She has kennel cough as well, but is on medication. Our sheltie FInley is up to date on her shots, could she get kennel cough still? We are trying to make sure they drink out of different bowls to prevent anything. I will have to call the vet to make sure.
How someone could treat her or any dog so terribly brings tears to my eyes. We are going to spoil this little girl. We will keep everyone updated and will post some before and after photos when her coat grows back.
Thank you!
How someone could treat her or any dog so terribly brings tears to my eyes. We are going to spoil this little girl. We will keep everyone updated and will post some before and after photos when her coat grows back.
Thank you!
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
She could still get kennel cough. If she had a bordatella vaccine than she will have some immunity but that wanes off around 8-9 months unless the immunity is maintained though exposure ie going to places other dogs are or boosters(house dog). I vacinate my puppies and then though training classes and dog shows they maintain their immunity though natural exposure. House dogs who never see other dogs usually have the lowest immunity because they don't experience it and stimulate their immune system regularly so they need vaccination to do that. Dogs with immunity usually can fight it off or just get a mild case that resolves on its own. A dog with no or low immunity may get a worse case.
If they have been playing that horse is out of the barn. Finley has been exposed. It is airborne. Just watch her for any signs. Coughing, nasal discharge, decrease appetite and contact your vet if any concerns come up. Most dogs work though an infection in 7-10 days but I have since it linger longer in some dogs.
Glad your little girl has a good home now.
If they have been playing that horse is out of the barn. Finley has been exposed. It is airborne. Just watch her for any signs. Coughing, nasal discharge, decrease appetite and contact your vet if any concerns come up. Most dogs work though an infection in 7-10 days but I have since it linger longer in some dogs.
Glad your little girl has a good home now.