Cookie was the only puppy left in his litter when I went to go visit him, but he immediately came to see me when I sat in the floor and he loved being held. Or at least he seemed to. He was a pretty social pup. Now he is shy around strangers for about five seconds and then as soon as they start talking to him (especially if they're female) he turns into a puddle. He totally melts. He loves people.
How did your sheltie puppy behave when you first met them?
- Thread starter Katagaria
- Start date
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
Sca was happy to see me but squirmed until I dropped him 
He still only allows a short period of petting before he has to escape.
Spitfire tried to escape until we caught him but loved playing outside with Sca. He still thinks people should not be trusted and adores Sca but I also rate real high now. (Him and Sca are having toy wars now as we just got home)
He still only allows a short period of petting before he has to escape.Spitfire tried to escape until we caught him but loved playing outside with Sca. He still thinks people should not be trusted and adores Sca but I also rate real high now. (Him and Sca are having toy wars now as we just got home)
When we got Jester there were two boys to choose from. Both were playful and his brother seemed pretty interested of course since he was interested Jester was also least for a time. He was very small and feisty if he thought his brother was getting to much attention the brother got a tail chewed on. This and thinking the non merled sable brother might be to close to Tala's looks did it for me. They took the brother to be with his other siblings and Jester wanted me to pick him up and well the rest was history. He is not trusting of strangers but he likes his people and Fox.
Fox well I just saw his picture and knew I guess. His temperament is quite different then Jester though far more outgoing likes meeting new people. (Jester tries to hide if he can especially from strange men. Anxious about things. Dogs, strangers, anything flapping garbage bags, shaking out clothes or bedding loud noises strange noises lets face it he doesn't like noise except his own barking of course.) Isn't as easily frightened or jumpy. It has been helpful since this seems to calm the other one down. In fact other then barking in because he is excited say play or husband comes home from work the only thing he really seems to bark at is Jester because Jester is barking.
Fox well I just saw his picture and knew I guess. His temperament is quite different then Jester though far more outgoing likes meeting new people. (Jester tries to hide if he can especially from strange men. Anxious about things. Dogs, strangers, anything flapping garbage bags, shaking out clothes or bedding loud noises strange noises lets face it he doesn't like noise except his own barking of course.) Isn't as easily frightened or jumpy. It has been helpful since this seems to calm the other one down. In fact other then barking in because he is excited say play or husband comes home from work the only thing he really seems to bark at is Jester because Jester is barking.
The sheltie that came into my life almost 12 years ago was a bit stand-offish at first. he wasn't all up in my space, wasn't bouncy. He certainly wasn't shy in anyway, just not overly interactive at first as an 8 week old baby. He matured into a wonderful dog that loved people, was playful, but sensitive to correction and raised voices. In formal training, I had to be very careful with my corrections. He was easy to train and easy to live with. harder to live without...
My current puppy, who is about 6 months old, was an "active" baby. A pounce and nip at your hair kind a puppy. Corrections are met with a "crap. In trouble again" attitude. He's not sensitive to raised voices, which is a good thing, in my house with three kids. He is a quick learner, but highly excitable. Chases after cars, despite my leash corrections. goes into a frenzy if the kids run by him in his X pen. Chases his own shadow. Chases birds. A malcontent: howls if left alone. Nervous outside of a crate in vehicles. I like this boy a lot, but that nervous energy I saw at 8 weeks is still there now. It's more targeted, but it's still there.
My current puppy, who is about 6 months old, was an "active" baby. A pounce and nip at your hair kind a puppy. Corrections are met with a "crap. In trouble again" attitude. He's not sensitive to raised voices, which is a good thing, in my house with three kids. He is a quick learner, but highly excitable. Chases after cars, despite my leash corrections. goes into a frenzy if the kids run by him in his X pen. Chases his own shadow. Chases birds. A malcontent: howls if left alone. Nervous outside of a crate in vehicles. I like this boy a lot, but that nervous energy I saw at 8 weeks is still there now. It's more targeted, but it's still there.
Caro
Moderator
I don't think you can tell that much about a puppy by interacts with a future owner.
When I met Tully (at 6wks) she wouldn't come near me, didn't want to be handled and ran away a lot. When I picked her up at 8weeks she cried and cried, and when we got home she hid from me for weeks. It was absolutely no indicator of how she would turn out - she loooves everyone but is not keen on other dogs. She is also extremely attached to me.
Deska on the other hand crawled straight into my lap and settled in immediately. But he had no littermates left and was hand reared (plus I look like his breeder), so that was no surprise.
I don't think you can tell an awful lot about their future by 'meeting' them yourself, but maybe from watching them interact. I do believe breeders can pick up subtle signals about their overall personality.
When I met Tully (at 6wks) she wouldn't come near me, didn't want to be handled and ran away a lot. When I picked her up at 8weeks she cried and cried, and when we got home she hid from me for weeks. It was absolutely no indicator of how she would turn out - she loooves everyone but is not keen on other dogs. She is also extremely attached to me.
Deska on the other hand crawled straight into my lap and settled in immediately. But he had no littermates left and was hand reared (plus I look like his breeder), so that was no surprise.
I don't think you can tell an awful lot about their future by 'meeting' them yourself, but maybe from watching them interact. I do believe breeders can pick up subtle signals about their overall personality.
The first time I met Bailey he did not look my in eyes and only cuddled with me but no kisses when I held him to my face. He was very active playing with his litter mates and seemed comfortable being handled by my husband, daughter and me. Once we got him home he took no time to warm up and showers us and everyone else with kisses. He is not shy at all. At first he was a bit hesitant to great the young kids next door but I gave them treat to give him and he learned quickly that kids are okay 
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
I guess I'm hearing that its just too hard to tell at such a young age.....they just not have had a chance to grow into their personalities.
That being said, my breeder says that Callan is "a going concern"....I guess that means that that he is boss of the litter...and the last video I had of him taking over the food bowl, would support that.
Now its up to me to work on his strengths and turn those into a well-adjusted, confidant, yet trainable puppy. That's all you can do....work with what you have.....
That being said, my breeder says that Callan is "a going concern"....I guess that means that that he is boss of the litter...and the last video I had of him taking over the food bowl, would support that.
Now its up to me to work on his strengths and turn those into a well-adjusted, confidant, yet trainable puppy. That's all you can do....work with what you have.....
The first time I met Ajax he was 56 days old. the breeder had another litter at the same time so around 7,8 pups all together. When I went into the puppy pen all the pups came to me within seconds. Except Ajax. he did not want to come to me at all and was more interested in some grass near him. It took another minute or so before he decided he'd come check me out. I could've picked other puppies but I really wanted a blue merle and his siblings are CHWs so I still decided to pick him. He was also the first one that decided he'd take a nap while all the pups were playing lol weird little guy
His personality pretty much stayed the same since that day. he's very fearful of strangers. He Hates eye contact with strangers let alone letting them pet him. He used to run the other way at walks as soon as we cross paths with a stranger. So I need to leash him whenever there's people around. He is doing better now, but the first year was very difficult. However he's very affectionate with me and my boyfriend. And even started to like my mum, but still afraid of my dad because he has a loud voice. I think a puppy's personality is quite obvious by 7,8 weeks. From my own experience.
His personality pretty much stayed the same since that day. he's very fearful of strangers. He Hates eye contact with strangers let alone letting them pet him. He used to run the other way at walks as soon as we cross paths with a stranger. So I need to leash him whenever there's people around. He is doing better now, but the first year was very difficult. However he's very affectionate with me and my boyfriend. And even started to like my mum, but still afraid of my dad because he has a loud voice. I think a puppy's personality is quite obvious by 7,8 weeks. From my own experience.
When I got my last sheltie - the breeder had 5 for me to choose from. All sables and tri's. She really wanted me to take the runt - he was the smallest sheltie she's ever produced ( something she did not want, as she was very much trying to breed to the standard) and she really wanted an adult home for him. But after watching them for half and hour I decided he was too much dog for me.
He was very clearly top dog and she mentioned that he bit her twice while she was giving them their shots ( another first for her) - he might have been little but he was badass! Kali played with the other pups who were all piled onto my daughter's lap for a few minutes but then she wandered over to me climbed into my lap and fell asleep. That was it. Turned out to be a great pick as she was very sweet, more reserved than Hanna but not shy.
Same thing pretty much with Hanna - I can't resist the snuggle bugs and the fire crackers just don't do it for me. again couldn't have chosen better - she is very friendly and outgoing and a total sweetie.
My little boy is very "in your face." He was shy around other dogs the first week home, but that's because he was adjusting. After that, he's a pistol. My adult girl has NEVER been shy. She loves anything and everything even if the dog doesn't love her. She doesn't understand why someone wouldn't love her..