Good By, Sheltie Lovers

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I can no longer count myself among your ranks. How I wish that I could have read something that would have prepared me for what a sheltie is really like.

Oh yes, they said he would "herd". I figured I could take a little ankle nipping; I had a Shepherd that did that. What I can't take is being body-slammed, and growled at and chewed on when I try to walk in my own yard.

Reactive? I thought I could train that out of him. After months of training and beaucoup bucks spent on classes and trainers, I still cannot go for a simple walk around the block. We must dodge passing cars, people a half a block away just walking down the street, dogs 1/2 - 1 block away being walked on leash, all small children, especially those in strollers; in fact all living things must be avoided.

Shy with strangers? Well, my neighbors no longer visit because they don't like being barked at the whole time they are in the house.

Does he get enough exercise? Several trips to the park, at great cost to my sanity, are a part of every day. There he plays with other dogs and chases crows. In our yard I try to throw frisbees or balls, but he just grabs ball or frisbee and runs along the fence barking furiously. In fact, that is pretty much how he spends his day. One of the neighbors has threatened to call the police. I can't say I blame him.

Smart? Not really. He knows the command sit, but won't do it unless he gets a treat.

Have I neglected trying to train him? I don't think so. I spend much time working with him each day and have hired 3 private trainers, to no avail.

He has made my life a bad dream. I wake up in the morning and dread facing another day with him.

Sheltie lover? Not me! Janet
 
I am sorry your Sheltie is not what you had hoped for.
Unfortunately, not all dogs are perfect or ambassadors for their breed.
I have had 4 Shelties, and each has been a blessing. I know I have been very lucky with calm, even tempered dogs. I am sorry your experience has not been as enjoyable.

You don't say how old your dog is or how long you have had him, but there are many people here who can give you advice on dealing with some of the more common issues people seem to have with their Shelties. If there is a local sheltie rescue organizations, they might be able to help you with suggestions as well.
 
I can certainly understand your frustration. It sounds like you have tried to help your pup with trainers etc. but sometimes that is not enough. Have you tried medication? It has helped us with our reactive girl. I could never get her attention when she went over threshold so no amount of training is going to help, but on the medication her response to triggers is not as crazy and I can ask for a sit or come and she responds to me ( most of the time) and is rewarded with treats and lots of praise. I have a home daycare and with all its excitement and comings and goings of parents and kids things can get very crazy for her. I have a daily plan for her to keep her from going over threshold and I find lots of exercise helps too. In our case walks didn't work because she reacted to things and became aggressive to our other sheltie (got ugly sometimes). We go for runs at an off leash park or empty school field and she loves the freedom.
I am sorry your experience has put you off shelties. I can truthfully say they are all not like that. Our last 3 were absolute angels.
Are you going to be rehoming him? Sorry but I just had to ask seeing as he makes your life miserable. If so please help him find a suitable one.

_________________
Janet, Meadow and Reno's mom
 
Wow, I didn't see this coming. I am so sorry you feel this way. I have some of the reactiveity issues with Sally but we are able to have peaceful walks. She does still bark at anyone who walks up to us on our property-her job. She does quiet down when asked but takes a few minutes. I am not sure how old your dog is so might not grow out of it or could even get worse. Your dog gets away with what you allow them to. If he is barking while running the fence don't allow him to be outside off leash. Shelties are not the only breed that bark. If he is nipping at your heels you need to keep him on a leash so you can control him. We have been blessed to have a sweet tempered sheltie. I have never met an illtempered one, but I don't come in contact with as many shelties as others on the forum do. I do come in contact with dogs of all breeds and mixes everyday at work and am able to watch owners interacting with their dogs. Some owners are intense and uptight as are their dogs. Some are laid back and relaxed as are their dogs and some times it is a mix of the two attitudes but usually anxious owner=anxious dog and vice versa. I hear get you are frustrated but it sounds like your dog is just being a dog. A dog that is being asked to do stuff he isn't capable of yet. You may be just expecting too much of him. He may never be able to handle a busy street and cars up close but may be able to from a distance. May just have to shut him up in a bedroom if he can't quiet down when company is over and let him out after he settles down. Progress can be made with this, but it takes time, months maybe years. Shelties are bright and interested in their masters but they are animals when all is said and done. Performing and perfect manners aren't going to overcome the fact that they are an animal. They can't meet all our needs or make up for where we are lacking. They can however be the most comfort ever due to their unconditional love. Who else wags their whole body just at the sight of you?? I am truely sorry you feel this way and hope it is just a passing thing for you. I think you shoud rethink what you are wanting from your dog and realize that he just might not be capable of being anything other than who he is. And that's about all you can ask of a dog.
 
wow, not much to say after that tirade. It sounds like you've reached the end of your rope. I am thankful that so far all the 4 shelties we've gotten-all rescues, some pretty messed up when we brought them home-have been great dogs.

A lot of the behaviors you detest are well known traits of shelties. One of our current 2 is a nonstop barker too, I'm guilty of yelling 'shaddup' often & loudly, to no avail. But he's still the best dog to me. Sorry your experience was so bad. I also hope you're rehoming the dog if it's young. There just may be the perfect owner out there, and in a year or so he may surprise you by fitting in perfectly in a different home. Not meant as an insult, just that sometimes things can change for the better & we never really know why. You gave it a good try, not much more you can do from the sounds of it.
 
I'm not a big fan of neutering male dogs, but in this case, if he isn't neutered, I'd have it done. Then I would make behavior my number one priority. No playing, no walkies; nothing but behavior conditioning. Positive rewards for good behavior and negative feedback for bad, including as much corporal punishment as is consistent with good judgement and the dog's nature. Make it consistent; set aside other concerns and more-or-less devote your life to it. A little effort every day is better than a huge effort every now and then. If you succeed you will have done yourself and him a great good.
 
I can feel your frustration & wish your experience had been better. Shelties have their "quirks" but for the most part are great pets. I am dealing with a rescue now that is scared of everything & just overwhelmed by being an inside dog. She was a rescue from a breeder & had lived her whole life outside in a run with an igloo & her sister. Probably the only contact with people was at feeding & breeding time. So I can understand her issues. It's hard to be understanding when you've done all you could think of & nothing works. Rehoming him is probably best for both of you. He can sense your frustration & you don't need stress when dealing with a dog with issues. I always say it's like dating... you both can be great but you have to be great together. Maybe before you get another dog you might try fostering one of that breed. Even though each animal is different you can "test drive" one & see if it's right for you.

Good luck & I hope the sheltie finds the right home.
 
Certainly no one can fault you for not trying, Janet. I look at what happened to you as I would someone who got married and had it end badly. Most men and women are pretty decent people -- but frankly, sometimes you draw a lemon. Happens with people, happens with dogs, happens with Shelties.
 
sorry you feel this way, I went back quickly through your posts to see if this was something relatively new or something that just popped up...quickly going through I see you have felt this way since you got him...I think its best for the dog to head back to the breeders, im sure hes just as frustrated as you are..sometimes its just not a good fit.
 
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