Mine lived mostly in a barn--a very lovely, temperature-controlled, well-appointed barn. They visited in the house--I'm not sure what else you do when you have a dozen or so dogs. My first was very, very puzzled when I brought her to live in a house, but she got the hang of it pretty quickly and is now known as "furniture dog." She never met a chair she didn't want to lounge on.
If buy a 2 year old sheltie, Issues, No attachment ?
- Thread starter Nostradamus
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Wow...that sounds so frustrating. I hope someone here can share some wisdom. I got lucky--in my case, the breeder is a relative who likes keeping the dogs in the family, and knowing that he will get frequent updates and photos. (and also a lot of "what do I do now?? questions) I wonder if there is anyone local to you who would appreciate a similar situation? I think it's sometimes hard for those folks to give up dogs they've invested so much in. I don't know for sure, but my sense has always been that my relative probably doesn't retire his dogs to anyone he doesn't know, or who isn't at least a vouched-for friend-of-a-friend.
Nostradamus
Forums Regular
This is very, very interesting. I had no idea that most show dogs aren't even taught basic obedience. I guess I was naive, thinking the show dogs lived in the home with their breeder as normal dogs when they weren't showing.
That seems like a sad, limited life if they are exiled to a barn or kennel.
Kudos to those that don't do that.
Well, most good showhome breeders do let the dog into the house, but they rotate the dogs every other day. because too many dogs to let them all in at once
. but It is true that they don't teach basic obedience or anything of that nature. because they need to learn how to act and behave in the ring and show off for the judge. and some of the basic obedience rules and behavior can be Negative when it comes to the show ring.
Nostradamus
Forums Regular
I think the trick is to buy one that is 1-2 years old that is the one that was grown out for show but something went wrong and Can't be shown. Those are the ones to buy. They are usually too big or too small or have gay tail, or just doesn't like the showring.
SheltieLuver
Forums Enthusiast
Um.... I'm a show breeder and to be quite honest with you... if the dog you buy is really a "show" dog. It has to be sozialized, or it will shut down in the ring. A dog that is nervous and jumpy in the show ring(from all the loud noises, smells, people, intercom, other dogs barking) will not be able to accomplish anything. A judge won't even pay it any attention. I know this 'cause I've seen it happen time and time again.
Whoever you guys are talking about aren't much of show breeders. And, I seriously doubt they've ever accomplished much of anything in the show ring. You've got to be careful who you buy a dog from. Just because the breeder claims something, doesn't mean it is true.
I get mine out and take them to Petsmart, or wherever once a week and sometimes more.
I don't do a lot in the way of obedience training, etc... I probably should do more, but I teach mine basic manners.
The 3500 hundred the previous post was talking about had to be a dog that is still showing, or breeding...
You generally can find a retired show dog for 400 or less.
Whoever you guys are talking about aren't much of show breeders. And, I seriously doubt they've ever accomplished much of anything in the show ring. You've got to be careful who you buy a dog from. Just because the breeder claims something, doesn't mean it is true.
I get mine out and take them to Petsmart, or wherever once a week and sometimes more.
I don't do a lot in the way of obedience training, etc... I probably should do more, but I teach mine basic manners.
The 3500 hundred the previous post was talking about had to be a dog that is still showing, or breeding...
You generally can find a retired show dog for 400 or less.
Which guys??
My two who hadn't been trained to sit have tons of titles, as do their family members--one is a champion, the daughter of a Westminster best-of-breed winner; the other is grand champion; together and separately they have produced several more champions and grand champions. They behave perfectly in public...and took a while to adapt to a home, and ordinary neighborhood noises. They were not socialized for ordinary life--their first visit to Petsmart was twitchy. But they always hold it together.I can't imagine how you would go about showing a dog that hasn't had socialization to the noises that a dog show bring. Think about it, how many pet dogs go into buildings with hundreds of other dogs and twice as many people? How many have to have someone loom over them and physically examine ALL parts of their body?
Anyway, in answer to the original question. Most dogs transfer well into new homes with time and patience on the part of the new owner. Don't smother it with love and attention from day one, instead, let it get to know it's surroundings with an occasional good attention from you. Tinsel had no understanding of humans or their environment but everyone comments on how bonded he is to me now. We did place a couple of adult westies over the years with absolutely no problems. My daughter's dog was 6 months when she got him and he just certified last weekend as a therapy dog.
As for obedience training, really isn't a necessity if you don't want the usual commands to be part of the dog's interaction with you. Note I said obedience training, not any training. Phoebe learned the cue "sit" after Tin came just over a year ago. She'll be 12 in April. She is a retired show girl with plenty of cute and never is ill mannered. She was trained to stack for a treat, still keeping her feet on the floor at all times. She behaves for the vet, no matter what they need to do to her. So please don't judge breeders if they don't teach basic obedience commands to their show dogs. I want my show dogs to move slightly ahead of me, remain animated and stack for a treat. Teaching this teaches them how to learn just like teaching anything else.
Anyway, in answer to the original question. Most dogs transfer well into new homes with time and patience on the part of the new owner. Don't smother it with love and attention from day one, instead, let it get to know it's surroundings with an occasional good attention from you. Tinsel had no understanding of humans or their environment but everyone comments on how bonded he is to me now. We did place a couple of adult westies over the years with absolutely no problems. My daughter's dog was 6 months when she got him and he just certified last weekend as a therapy dog.
As for obedience training, really isn't a necessity if you don't want the usual commands to be part of the dog's interaction with you. Note I said obedience training, not any training. Phoebe learned the cue "sit" after Tin came just over a year ago. She'll be 12 in April. She is a retired show girl with plenty of cute and never is ill mannered. She was trained to stack for a treat, still keeping her feet on the floor at all times. She behaves for the vet, no matter what they need to do to her. So please don't judge breeders if they don't teach basic obedience commands to their show dogs. I want my show dogs to move slightly ahead of me, remain animated and stack for a treat. Teaching this teaches them how to learn just like teaching anything else.
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
But by the same turn, to suggest that a dog can't be a good show dog if you teach them obedience ie sit is also false. I have lost count of the number of people who have said this to us over the years.
<3Emi&Topper<3
Forums Regular
My first two shelties were adopted as "adult" dogs. Macy was two when we got her and she was my girl until the very end. Buddy was a stud and left chained outside only having contact when they wanted to breed him. He was chronically depressed, he never really attached to anyone 
The sheltie we just got is 11 months old and he has had NO issues attaching himself to us. He is a pure love bug!
The sheltie we just got is 11 months old and he has had NO issues attaching himself to us. He is a pure love bug!
Calliesmom
Moderator
at the dog show this past weekend, I actually knew some of the people showing their dogs. I know these people and their dogs from agility trials and from obedience/rally trials. They all say that the dogs are smart enough to know the difference between the different events
