wendystation
Forums Regular
My spouse and I purchased a 4-year old sheltie on a "previous show dog, now pet-only" contract from a breeder. A number of issues have come up, and I'd appreciate your opinions.
The breeder did advise in advance that the dog's voice had been softened... she has this done to all of her shelties. On our first visit to our vet we were told that the unfortunate style of surgery had resulted in laryngeal paralysis, which could cause a serious breathing problem now or in the future.
The breeder advised us that this dog was "in most of the day but each of her dogs were given 1 hour daily for a run in the outdoor kennel." We didn't think much of this until the first time we tried to take this dog for a walk in the rain. He seemed quite frightened about the wet. We are starting to realize that he spent probably most of his hours in an indoor kennel.
The vet was also concerned that the rear teeth had not been cleaned; also about the wear on the dog's teeth; one had to be removed. The vet advised that this is typical of dogs who spend most of their time "boxed up" and gnaw on the wooden container.
We're now attending dog obedience classes; both the dog and we new owners have previous experience, but we thought this would be beneficial for us to learn to communicate with each other. The teacher noted that the dog has a scar over one eye which still has colour, indicating to the teacher that this injury probably happened within the past 12-18 months.
This dog will NOT take a treat from our hand. Ever. He will take the treat if we drop it on the floor, and he has recently started standing beside my chair and accepting pats to his chest... but will not accept food from my hand.
This dog has been with us since mid August. He's recently started to meet me with joy each morning as I swing out of bed, and wait patiently for me to take him downstairs for a morning snack. He has recently started "bowing" by lowering his front body to his elbows, then jumping and dashing with joy when I sit on the floor and dance with him. He seems rather surprised to be playing with a human. My spouse walks the dog three times a day. He tested recently during a walk, and released the dog from his leash... and the dog continued to our home, not "making a run for it" but continuing to walk beside my husband. Indoors, the dog comes when he's called perhaps 25% of the time.
At the moment, the dog lays behind my chair as my spouse and I watch tv. This has just started in the past day or two... previously he would go lay in the dark corner of the house, unless we went and brought him to the tv area, then kept him on a leash, here.
I understand that male dogs, in particular, can take longer in adapting to a new household. I also understand that our dog's progress really shouldn't be measured until around the 6 month stage of his being a member of our family.
I'm particularly concerned about the head scar; would like your opinion on contacting the party from whom we purchased the dog, to have this explained?
Does anyone have suggestions or feedback on helping this new member of our family relax and enjoy his new lifestyle?
The breeder did advise in advance that the dog's voice had been softened... she has this done to all of her shelties. On our first visit to our vet we were told that the unfortunate style of surgery had resulted in laryngeal paralysis, which could cause a serious breathing problem now or in the future.
The breeder advised us that this dog was "in most of the day but each of her dogs were given 1 hour daily for a run in the outdoor kennel." We didn't think much of this until the first time we tried to take this dog for a walk in the rain. He seemed quite frightened about the wet. We are starting to realize that he spent probably most of his hours in an indoor kennel.
The vet was also concerned that the rear teeth had not been cleaned; also about the wear on the dog's teeth; one had to be removed. The vet advised that this is typical of dogs who spend most of their time "boxed up" and gnaw on the wooden container.
We're now attending dog obedience classes; both the dog and we new owners have previous experience, but we thought this would be beneficial for us to learn to communicate with each other. The teacher noted that the dog has a scar over one eye which still has colour, indicating to the teacher that this injury probably happened within the past 12-18 months.
This dog will NOT take a treat from our hand. Ever. He will take the treat if we drop it on the floor, and he has recently started standing beside my chair and accepting pats to his chest... but will not accept food from my hand.
This dog has been with us since mid August. He's recently started to meet me with joy each morning as I swing out of bed, and wait patiently for me to take him downstairs for a morning snack. He has recently started "bowing" by lowering his front body to his elbows, then jumping and dashing with joy when I sit on the floor and dance with him. He seems rather surprised to be playing with a human. My spouse walks the dog three times a day. He tested recently during a walk, and released the dog from his leash... and the dog continued to our home, not "making a run for it" but continuing to walk beside my husband. Indoors, the dog comes when he's called perhaps 25% of the time.
At the moment, the dog lays behind my chair as my spouse and I watch tv. This has just started in the past day or two... previously he would go lay in the dark corner of the house, unless we went and brought him to the tv area, then kept him on a leash, here.
I understand that male dogs, in particular, can take longer in adapting to a new household. I also understand that our dog's progress really shouldn't be measured until around the 6 month stage of his being a member of our family.
I'm particularly concerned about the head scar; would like your opinion on contacting the party from whom we purchased the dog, to have this explained?
Does anyone have suggestions or feedback on helping this new member of our family relax and enjoy his new lifestyle?
Sca stays behind me a ton. If I wonder where he went off to that is the first place I look (and frequently he is there relaxing) He is just monitoring his herd.
