Hello everyone

L

Liza

Forums Novice
Hello everyone,

I'm a college student and I'm considering of taking a sheltie.I've been waiting for this moment for 5 months now and I really want one.The thing is I'll probably live alone,so that means that the doggie will need to be alone in the house for about 4 hours.I've considered of getting a cat so that he can have company.I know that shelties can't be left alone for a long time.I really don't know What to do because I do love this breed and I really wanted one for such a long time:(
 
Hi Liza and welcome to the Forum. It may take a while for your first few posts to appear because new member posts must be approved by a moderator for the first 10. One of us does get to them as soon as possible though.

Can you give us a bit more information about the Sheltie you're thinking of getting? Is it an adult or a puppy? Four hours is not a long time to leave a Sheltie alone as long as you provide a safe environment for him. If it's a puppy, four hours is OK as well if you have a crate that he can stay in while you're gone. Most puppies 8 weeks or older can go all night in a crate without accidents.

If you're thinking about an adult Sheltie, I would find out if he's been crate trained, since that is the easiest and safest way to leave a new arrival. Otherwise, as long as you can gate a safe spot in your home for him where he can't get in to trouble, that works too.

I hope you can get your long-awaited Sheltie!
 
Hello Ann and thank you for the reply and information!I want him to be a puppy so that I could train him and teach him a few stuff such as not to bark much.Most neighboors here have a hard time with dogs and the barking part so that will be a great challenge.

Schedule will be like that:I'll be going to college for almost 4 hours then getting back home and I'll need to leave the house in the afternoon again for about 2 hours.Of course I'll be taking him for a walk once or twice per day.The house has a yard,which is an appropriate place for him to spend time playing around,without any possibility of getting or causing any damage.As for the crate,could you be a bit more specific?

Thank you for your help and support dear Ann!
 
You're very welcome, Liza. A crate is a great place for your puppy. It will become his den and his safe place where he goes to sleep -- his room. Crate training a puppy is the best way to house train him, because puppies don't like to soil the place where they sleep. There are various kinds of crates: wire, hard-sided plastic and soft crates. I would recommend either a wire crate or hard-sided plastic. I use wire crates for the house, because they're more open and allow more air flow than the plastic ones. You can cover the crate at night with a sheet to encourage puppy to sleep.

As for size, I'd get either a Small or Medium in the dimensions here. http://www.dog.com/item/midwest-life-stages-double-door-dog-crate/110140/ . You want a crate that's large enough for the puppy to stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably. You don't want one so large that he can soil it -- although that happens, so it's a good idea to use washable bedding such as old towels for young puppies.

This is a hard-sided plastic crate. I'd recommend a Medium. We use these for traveling and in the car. http://www.dog.com/item/petmate-sky-kennel-pet-carrier/101554/

Another option is an exercise pen. They're handy both indoors and out. Indoors, it will keep your puppy safe and away from dangerous things when you want to give him a bit more room than a crate allows while you're gone, or even when you're home but can't watch him. They are also terrific in the yard for easier house training. http://www.dog.com/item/midwest-pet-exercise-pen/110310/ . You'll still want a crate though.

Be aware that Shelties are a breed that can be barky if you have neighbors who may be a problem. It helps to leave a radio or TV on when you're gone so the puppy doesn't hear every little noise outside your home. Always use positive reinforcement training -- reward the dog for the correct behavior (as in not barking). It's more effective with a Sheltie.

Hope this helps!
 
Hello and welcome, Liza! Ann is giving you some great advice. It sounds like you'd be fine fitting a Sheltie into your schedule :)
 
Ann has given excellent info. I have to work for a living, which means Cooper and the Belles are alone until either my DH gets home or I do. I get out of work at a fairly regular time during the day, but he gets home whenever. 4 hours alone with a human break, then 2 alone is not an issue.

Are you close to graduating? What will your schedule look like when you are out of school? If the pup will be a dog by that point, there shouldn't be an issue with leaving the dog alone. Please remember that a pet is an obligation for it's lifetime. It's also one that is worth any sacrifices you might have to make ie- I can't go out with co-workers even though it's fun because I have a dog that needs to go to the potty. Personally, I prefer my dogs to any co-worker I've ever had. And please remember this whole paragraph is mostly written because I don't know you, and just want you to be sure about taking care of your new friend.
 
You mentioned a yard. A yard is good play, of course, but not a place to stay while you are gone (doubly so if a puppy). Yards have way too many troubles to get into, fences to dig under, and people to come steal them. An older dog might do fine with that, maybe even a doggy door, but not a little one or teenager. Not sure if your intent was to leave the dog in the yard or just use it to play but thought I would mention.

Don't solely focus on a pup. There are many great options, especially if this is your first dog. Rescuing an adult could be an option. My Melli is an older rescue (probably about 6 when rescued) and I trained her from basic through her CGC and an accelerated easy agility class. If she weren't so darned carsick I would have gone into scent work and likely would be competing with her. Breeders often have older dogs or pups that didn't work out for show or breeding. Their personalities are set and they have had foundations laid by someone who knows dogs. Starting with a little puppy, while cute, is horrible work. I always say the best thing about having a puppy is the photography. After that, it's endurance until they are about 5-6 months old when they start to really become fun. As a little pup, first they must be socialized / exposed to the world properly while not being exposed to illnesses in the area (I live in a very high parvo/distemper region, for example), they must be potty trained which requires some dedication, they chew and ruin things, they are expensive with all the shots and vet visits, and so on. Puppies are fun, but you have to know how to raise them. My very first dog ever was an Aussie. He was about 2 years old and a rescue. Couldn't be closer to me or more perfect. I wanted a dog that knew more about being a dog than I could teach. Dogs, 1, 2, 3 were adults and rescues, as was dog 5. My 4th and 6th dogs were puppies. I made some major mistakes with the first puppy from choosing through missed clues to fear periods to personality traits I could have curbed early. My 6th dog, Cubby, I did right and he's a great little guy and best overall package of any dog I have had. I also became a dog trainer while raising this one. DO consider an older puppy, a breeder placement, or a rescue in your equation. I don't mean to discourage you from getting a sheltie in any way, or any other dog for that matter, just consider all the options at your disposal.
 
Thank you all for your help,which is precious!

I think crate can be an excellent idea for the puppy when being alone.As for the barking part it'll need mental,physical training and devotion.

Thank you PonyForever.I totally agree.

Thank you for your reply MissyGallant!To be honest I was disappointed because I thought sheltie can be left alone for many hours but that's so satisfying.Well no I'll just start going to uni and what's for sure is that I'll need to take extra classes after graduating but I don't know where I'll be but the doggie is going to be with me no matter what.And yes to be honest all this time I've been thinking about it and I'm ready for it.I think there won't be a problem taking him with me when going out.Plus,I guess dogs must be something like a child to the owner so one or another way things will be like that.

Cubby2014 Hello and thank you for replying!You are right and thank you for asking so that I can clear this out.Of course not,I'm aware of all the risks when leaving a puppy alone in the yard when no one is there.It can be a cruel action.I was thinking of letting him out in the yard when coming back from college or getting him for a walk out.

Rescuing a puppy and adopting him can be an excellent choice not only for the owner but for the doggie as well.I've done my research about it.The thing is I live in Greece and this breed is extremely rare here like many people haven't even heard about it so it's can't be easy for me to adopt one.And to be honest I do like this breed a lot and I think I'll need to do my best to get one of them.Thank you a lot for your help though!
 
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Greece- I think you might be our first member from Greece. I guess you would probably not have all the options that we have in the US.
welcome:smile2: and good luck finding your new buddy:fl
 
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