Introducing myself.. New to this site.. A few issues

Wow, suddenly I feel like a bad Sheltie Mom. I will post another post to answer some of the questions and advice (ALL very good BTW). However, I just took some pics of the 3 girls and a few older ones I have as well; but can not figure out where and how to upload them for y'all to see them. Help?

Also, I did upload a pic of Emma on my profile; I thought it would be my avatar?? Guess not. LOL

Thank you ALL for very good advice. Oh, I did measure Emma; she is 18" tall (top of back to floor), 29' long (from back of head to bottom) and waistline is 28". Her sister (BB) is a hefty gal as well and my daughter crates her and controls her feeding time. Could it be we just ended up with big girls?
 
Welcome to the forum.

Great advice to far, but I would add a few things:

- 42 lbs is hefty even for a large Sheltie. My boys are between 16 and 17 inches and both about 30 lbs - and overweight in my book. So a diet is definitely in order
- I do not recommend free feeding. I do recommend that you feed Emma in a crate away from the other two.
- Because of the chewing, I also recommend that you either crate her or put her in a secure (non-chewable area) when you are not there to supervise her. Even if you've never crated her before, you would be surprised at how easily they adapt.

You might also find that by providing her a crate - a safe haven - she might actually settle down some. Most dogs learn to love their crates, and when they are feeling out of sorts will actively seek it. It could be that the hyper behaviour your are seeing is actually stress.
 
I am feeling like I may have been out of my league (so to speak) when I decided on a Sheltie (that is the breed my son in law wanted, they have BB, Emma’s sister. The breeder only had 2 girls and I could NOT leave her behind, hence how I brought Emma into our love home).

I have never crated my dogs (ok, ducking here to dodge the tomato throwing). I have always worked with them on gentleness, sharing, obeying etc… Although I do have my office in my home which is a 10x12 room that I have a swing gate to keep them in when I am not home. Although I am home A LOT these days as I lost my job over a yr ago; which has given me a lot of time with Emma as a pup. There are no rugs in my office (Porcelain tiles), and she has never chewed on any of the furniture; just other rugs in the house. Sneaky too; I never catch her doing it. Her sister prefers shoes and shoe strings. I will try the Bitter Apple Spray. Also, my daughter crates BB and she is MORE hyper than Emma; makes no sense.

I feed them all Eukanuba maintenance small bites for 1 year and over as my 2.4 pound has only 5 teeth left (she is almost 10 yrs old).

A job… (“I” need one LOL)…Emma has never been interested in chew toys, toys, or even chew stuff like raw hides etc…, not even as a pup! I tried and she has never even shown an interest in a ball; so playing fetch is not her thing either. But loves the rugs and the one curtain! I tired diverting her bad choice with a good one and she just snubs it.

Bond between me and Emma…she stares at me all the time; almost to a creepy longing, starker like “I can’t get close enough” look. LOL Actually it is precious, but is a bit different and intense. My ex never even looked at me like that!! LOL She gets lots of attention, never mean to her, love her bunches….but that look!! In fact as I type this she is laying down right next to me and I can feel the burning of those beautiful eyes going right through me! I do think obedience classes would help if I can get her through the door!

Exercise….my yard is fenced in with a 6 foot privacy wooden fence with 380 feet down one size…very big back yard. All for her! She will dart out the door (I do have a doggie door) and RUN!!!! Then it is all over in a few minutes. Now I will say, she has gotten lazier with the winter months; however in the summer she goes out more often but is NOT an out door dog (meaning I do not leave her out). Today I went and bought a harness thing to start walking her on (she can slip out of the collar leash in a heartbeat). The exercise will do me well too; not due to weight, more due to lack of exercise. But NO running for me. LOL

Feeding…..I have one bowl (not a big one either) that I put food in for all the girls. I only fill it up once every other day; so to me, it doesn’t appear that she is over eating and not at all obsessive over the food; she doesn’t scarf it down, stress over it or eat until she pops. I do not feed them table scraps (I rarely even cook anymore!!) Emma was a pudgy pup and has always seemed on the overweight side to me. The 3 girls have never fought or had an issue with the food. They all share and Emma is incredibly gentle and loving with the 2 small Chi’s.

I tried feeding them separately when I first got Emma and again months later; but the 2.4 pounder refused to eat, lost weight, and got so weak I was hand feeding her and putting her over the water bowl! Of course I took her to the vet; he said she was adjusting to Emma fine, just not the change in any routine that would affect her!

I have stressed over this and just not sure how to feed them separately since the other 2 dogs are 7 and almost 10 yrs old and use to how feeding takes place. Also the 2.4 pounder is not well (breast tumors and vet does not want to remove them yet). The green beans are a good idea; just wondering if it will mess up and cause intestinal issues?

What is considered a Sheltie size meal? Any special type of dry food recommended? Or should I do the cooked veggies only at night?

I agree that Shelties are not guard dogs, but she is great to alert me and the media when there is anyone at the door, a noise or even an ant crawling on the porch as she lays at the front door most of the time peering out the side window (yep, where that one curtain is!! AND maybe only about 6 feet from my office chair). But I bet she could body slam an intruder pretty good!!

Emma is actually very shy and nervous around others when they come into my home until she gets to know them. She is WONDERFUL with my grandson (soon to be 4), very loving with him as well. And my grandson is very good with her; he was taught practically from birth how to treat animals with gentleness and love and knows not to mistreat them (big no no in my family).


Again, sorry for the long post; I was trying to cover all basis to each response. I have learned SO much from all of you and appreciate it so much; there is hope for us yet!! If anything I am doing that is positive I will say it is that Emma and the 2 Chi’s have a very loving and clean home and are the center of my world (except for my grandson of course). Thank you all very much!!

Still trying to figure out how to post pictures....
 
I agree, you need to mentally challenge your dog. Even if it's as simple as playtime with a ball.

Secondly, she needs to be walked, regularly. My shelties calm down around 2.5-3 years.

Additionally, the excuse of feeding them separately basically just says to me that you're not willing to do it. That is valid, but not what you said. My shelties get heavy quickly, and will all eat until they pop. It is unhealthy for her to be overweight, and you aren't doing her or you any favors by allowing her to do so.

Exercise her, stimulate her brain, and feed her separately are my advice.

In regards to her chewing, she needs to be told NO firmly. If this has no effect, it needs to be accompanied with a TOUCH. Until she realizes you demand her attention. Direct her chewing to a toy, such as a rope toy (close second to a rug) and you should be golden. Perhaps reward her with a treat when she chews on the proper objects.

People wait too late to scold and mold their puppies, feeling bad for them because they "don't know better" and "they are babies". Puppies are puppies, yes, they will be puppies. However, they will never know any better if you don't begin correcting their desired behaviors. It will make both of you happy.

Puppies like the communication, they like to know what we want them to do, and what we don't want them to do.
 
ChargerOnDavins said:
I agree, you need to mentally challenge your dog. Even if it's as simple as playtime with a ball.

Secondly, she needs to be walked, regularly. My shelties calm down around 2.5-3 years.

Additionally, the excuse of feeding them separately basically just says to me that you're not willing to do it. That is valid, but not what you said. My shelties get heavy quickly, and will all eat until they pop. It is unhealthy for her to be overweight, and you aren't doing her or you any favors by allowing her to do so.

Exercise her, stimulate her brain, and feed her separately are my advice.

In regards to her chewing, she needs to be told NO firmly. If this has no effect, it needs to be accompanied with a TOUCH. Until she realizes you demand her attention. Direct her chewing to a toy, such as a rope toy (close second to a rug) and you should be golden. Perhaps reward her with a treat when she chews on the proper objects.

People wait too late to scold and mold their puppies, feeling bad for them because they "don't know better" and "they are babies". Puppies are puppies, yes, they will be puppies. However, they will never know any better if you don't begin correcting their desired behaviors. It will make both of you happy.

Puppies like the communication, they like to know what we want them to do, and what we don't want them to do.
Click to expand...

Thank you; first response well taken and you could be right. I have tried many times; just have not been successful yet.

Second response; I tell her no; and firmly. The thing is....she is sneaky and I have rarely caught her in the middle of the negative act.

Rope toys: I have enough rope toys to hang myself from a second story building (my house is ranch style). Emma has never taken an interest in any toys. Just the curtain and the wood trim on the front door side window. And again, I never see her doing it. It's as if when I leave the room to do laundry or take a shower she rushes to the rugs and front door and indulges in her "thing".

Chi's were easier to train; but not giving up on Emma and hope she doesn't give up on me. Just first time with a bigger dog and learning. So glad I found this site!

Flip side...at least Emma isn't as big as the dog my niece and her hubby got: 7 foot Irish Wolf Hound....now HE is a moose. LOL
 
Bond between me and Emma…she stares at me all the time; almost to a creepy longing, starker like “I can’t get close enough” look. LOL Actually it is precious, but is a bit different and intense. My ex never even looked at me like that!! LOL She gets lots of attention, never mean to her, love her bunches….but that look!! In fact as I type this she is laying down right next to me and I can feel the burning of those beautiful eyes going right through me! I do think obedience classes would help if I can get her through the door!


That is just so cute ... The above right there is her telling you that she is needing to find some work to do to please you. How cute that is, lol
Chi's are different of course, Shelties are a true working breed.. so you got your hands full, dear, lol

walks, and also try getting her interested in tug-toys or ropes, LOL.. just like a curtain or a carpet as Charger recommended, ahahah you will just need to to see what gets her excited... she will thank you for the interaction!
 
some dogs are just not interested in toys to begin with so you need to teach them. Play with toys yourself, make funny sounds, lots of noise, movement etc be guffy:yes:
regarding 42lbs. My boy Che is 40lbs and 19"1/2 at withers- big Sheltie, pure muscle, heavy boned. Boy runs full out every morning for about an hour, has 4 classes a week and 2-3 long walks / 40 minutes to an hour/every day.
lean dogs live longer...
chewing- have you tried bully sticks or swizzles/ curlies? Those usually winners with just about any dog....
 
SheltieChe said:
some dogs are just not interested in toys to begin with so you need to teach them. Play with toys yourself, make funny sounds, lots of noise, movement etc be guffy:yes:
regarding 42lbs. My boy Che is 40lbs and 19"1/2 at withers- big Sheltie, pure muscle, heavy boned. Boy runs full out every morning for about an hour, has 4 classes a week and 2-3 long walks / 40 minutes to an hour/every day.
lean dogs live longer...
chewing- have you tried bully sticks or swizzles/ curlies? Those usually winners with just about any dog....
Click to expand...

Bingo. if you pretend interested in toys, she will likely follow. Try starting her off with a canned-food filled kong... you could also put some chicken juice or somethign on a rope toy (gross I know) but just to lure her to liking them.

Sounds like the ornery problem, I have one of those (puppy). I am struggling with her as well. She is, however fantastic about directing her chewing to toys, rather than objects I like/want to keep around... but being held, obeying... different story. I am almost over the obedience hurdle... the holding her hurdle may or may not ever come...
 
You're getting great advice here from everyone. I recommend feeding between one-fourth to one half cup per day, depending on the Sheltie's size. Layla eats about one-half to three-fourths a day. She's 15 inches and slight. Beckon is a 20 inch Sheltie Zilla who gets one cup twich a day -- and he's slender. As he matures (he's almost two), we'll cut that back.

I have two plump (no longer fat) Shelties who get a level half cup twice a day, plus a half cup of green beans to add fullness and fiber.

We have almost eliminated treats, so they're really high value now. And NO MORE PEOPLE FOOD!
(Of course, we'll see what happens when DH comes back from his travels. :lol:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top