is it normal for some shelties to...

[sgtfrog]

It's been a while since i last posted.

Millie is doing well. SHe's 11 months old now and shes a pretty big girl ( not fat, shes in great shape shes just tall and leggy ) weighing in at 17 Kg ( 37 pounds) Not sure about her height, havent measured her in a while but shes OVERSEIZE.. people think shes a collie for some reason.....She is Still limping but theres not much we can do about that because her left hind leg is smaller and about 1 inch shorter than the other. Leg just never fully grew after her surgery BUT that doesn't stop her from running, jumping and doing all the typical dog things. Her limping has gotten better over time from doing alot exercise! I really wish we could take her swimming but There are no lakes or dog swimming pools/tanks / rehabilitation anywhere near where i live in south korea. Really too bad! =(

She finally found her voice and started barking/ doing the sheltie talk at around 9-10 months old. Her barking isn't to bad. Only barks when she hears noises outside the door. She NEVER barks outside when we go for walks. Only in the house and it doesnt last very long.

Anyways as the title of the thread says" Is it normal for some shelties to..." I'm a bit concerned about some of Millie's behaviors...

Is it normal for some shelties( or dogs in general) to just not be interested in other dogs? Millie just isnt interested in other dogs. She doesnt want to play with them, On top of that shes a bit shy/ a bit anxious around dogs that are running towards her / that want to play with her. She has no interest in running/playing with them. That said shes fine around most dogs if they are just walking , standing and sniffing about and She's happy to go up to them and Smell them to say hello But otherwise she shows no interest. After smelling them shes good to go somewhere else. We weren't able to socialize her from a young age due to her broken leg, being in a cast for a few months and not having all her shots yet. We've been bringing her to the dog park EVERY SINGLE DAY ever since the cast on her leg came off ( around the 5 month old mark) At first she was scared of everything but now she walks like a champ ( she has no problem in crowds, around cars, bikes, with other dogs walking etc.. although she doesnt like loud sudden noises ie: drums, thunder, things flapping overhead etc..). I'd love to see her have fun with other dogs and want her to play with them but I think Millie just doesnt have that personality! I keep wondering if its something I've done or if some dogs just are like this naturally?

One other problem I've noticed at the dog park is that sometimes little pups or little dogs that are really hyper try to jump on millie. millie is a super calm / clean dog and i guess doesnt like to be bothered . She enjoys her alone time... she Absolutely hates it if a small dog jumps on her and if the dog keeps coming back. SHe hates being chased/bothered... THey are just trying to play No harm is being done but I can see why Millie would hate being jumped on. So She's been showing her teeth and tried to bite those dogs who tried jumping on her ( she doesnt bark or growl or makes any noise .. it just looks like shes defending herself....) Is this "normal" behavior? Is this something I can stop her from doing? She doesnt bark at other dogs and doesnt try to bite other dogs in any other circumstances. She lets other dogs sniff her and come near her no problem. She just has a problem with small hyper dogs trying to jump on her/ invading her space. SHould I be concerned? This is happening in a dog park where people can let their dogs loose to play. Soo its not like these are random off leash dogs and I cant tell people to keep their dog away because all dogs are getting along just fine except millie and the hyper little dog... It would be nice if she would get along with all DOGS but What kind of behavior do you expect a dog to have when an other dog is jumping on them and they dont like it? I've just been pulling Millie away from the dog(s) bothering her... Again, Only happens with little hyper dogs jumping onto millie... SHould i just keep her away from that kind of dog?? What If i get a second puppy later.. i dont want millie to bite the hyper puppy... Not a behavior of hers that i like but not sure what to do about it....

all that being said, She likes people ALOT more Especially girls with soft voices. She doesnt like men with deep voices =p... Shes ok around strangers in genera but doesnt like sudden movements from them. She needs to meet a person a few times before she completely warms up to them. IF theres a person infront of her and that person has a dog Millie would most likely go smell the person first and ignore the dog haha.. Really weird ...

Hope its not to late at 11months old for her to become a confident dog! THoughts?

ANd a recent picture i took in the park!

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/3408266/sept2012.jpg

 

[dblock]

Is it normal for some shelties( or dogs in general) to just not be interested in other dogs? Millie just isnt interested in other dogs. She doesnt want to play with them, On top of that shes a bit shy/ a bit anxious around dogs that are running towards her / that want to play with her. She has no interest in running/playing with them. That said shes fine around most dogs if they are just walking , standing and sniffing about and She's happy to go up to them and Smell them to say hello But otherwise she shows no interest. After smelling them shes good to go somewhere else.



This is Beau to a T. Beau was abused and neglected. When I brought him home, Beau was terrified of people, particularly men, now, its 180 degree difference, He LOVES people, even men and around children he is particularly gentle.

Beau did good for a while with other dogs, but, was really badly trounced one day by a boxer and ever since then, he hasn't wanted anything to do with them. I should say he one friend, a pit bull, I know go figure, but this dog is not hyper. Beau can walk past dogs fine, he doesn't react, Beau can even sit around a group of dogs as long as they are calm and not in his face, but, the minute he sense a dog about ready to pounce, he goes a little crazy. And then I quickly remove him from the situation I think part of the neglect and abuse that beau endured was two fold in the sense that he was never brought up around other dogs, and that other dogs were allowed to jump all over him. When I found him at the ASPCA, there were two giant dogs on either side of him trying to jump over the wall

Even though Beau doesn't necessarily like other dogs, Beau is an awesome loving dog, everyone, loves to see him, and he loves to see and meet everyone else. I never thought that day would happen.

I'm sure that's the same for your dog.


The other thing I wanted to ask is how are the other dogs being introduced to your dog. That makes a big difference, no dog, should ever just come up and be in your dogs face, Beau was taught in obedience class to sniff the butt first, so if the dogs in the park are going right for the face that could be the issue.

 

[corbinam]

My girl came from a reputable breeder, and was well socialized as a puppy and still doesn't care much about other dogs. If she's on a leash she'll politely say her hellos, play bow, etc... But if she's off leash she's usually a bit reserved if the dog initiates play that's too "in your face". She would be absolutely miserable at a dog park, so I never take her.

But, she does really like the dogs/cats that she gets to know. For example, she LOVES our other dog.

If we brought a puppy into the house I think she may be reserved at first (and she may put him in his place a few times) but then I think she'd accept him and they would be best of friends.

 

[Justicemom]

The only one of my dogs that likes to be pounced on is Birch. Diva allows it if it is her idea and she can be quite wild when she wants to be. But alot of the time she is the fun police. Justice and Ember do not like to be jumped on be any dog. They will play but it is more chase and run games then anything physical. Justice and Ember would reather hang out with humans then dogs any day. Diva will go either way. All my dogs are extremely socialize to dogs and like dogs in general.

Just my observation with being around tons of shelties. Not many of them like to play physcially with dogs. They wrestle and roll around but if you watch there are very specific rules of engagement. It is a give and take kind of physical interaction and if someone gets too physical it is over. I have never meet a sheltie that will tolerate being body slammed, this goes for herding breed in general. Think about it how long would a herding dog last if they just let things slam into them without their permission.

 

[adellelauren]

Mia gets a bit defensive with some dogs. She is very protective of the home so she dogs going by our yard she does not like. But out of the home she is better. As long as the dog is polite and so forth she is ok. Sometimes she gets excited on our walks but as soon as I redirect her she is good.

 

[Calliesmom]

Millie has grown up to be a pretty girl

as for playing with other dogs- there are many dogs that do not play with other dogs.
My rescue Callie never played with other dogs- she would say hi but that was about it for her dog interactions.
my pupper boy, Cranberry, who will be 3 soon still loves to play with just about anypup.
I think I read somewhere that as dogs get older, they really only play with dogs that they are familiar with-like their own pack.
Dixie will play with Cran and with some other pups- I haven't figured out what her qualifications are for a playmate............

 

[Shelby's mom]

Shelby is very reserved at first but given some time she is fine and loves to play. She definitely does not like playing rough or being barked at. She prefers to chase and be chased.

 

[sgtfrog]

Sounds like a common trait some shelties share. I feel a bit better. Millie just doesnt want to and doesn't know how to play with other dogs. We've given her many many many many opportunities to play but she just wants to smell and then leave. She hates being chased, she has no interest in chasing dogs and If we play catch in the park she will stop playing if any other dogs approach... I wish she would be more confident But I guess well see with time... She's never had a bad experience with other dogs. She was never been bitten or hurt by other dogs. She's not a rescue either and Never been abused by anyone.... she's just always been like this...

What about the aggressiveness/ wanting to bite when little dogs jump in millies face or body. Anything that can be done about this? Or should i just keep her away from those small hyper dogs?? The puppies just want to play but obviously millie doesnt and she hates being jumped on or chased. Is this just an issue of other owners not handling their dogs properly by letting them bother Millie and shes behaving properly in this circumstance by trying to bite? I mean what else could she do? train her to ignore annoying little jumping bouncing dogs ?? She actually LOVES little dogs the most!!! she just absolutely hates and wants to bite the small hyper ones that jump into her face/personal space.

 

[Justicemom]

Sounds like a common trait some shelties share. I feel a bit better. Millie just doesnt want to and doesn't know how to play with other dogs. We've given her many many many many opportunities to play but she just wants to smell and then leave. She hates being chased, she has no interest in chasing dogs and If we play catch in the park she will stop playing if any other dogs approach... I wish she would be more confident But I guess well see with time... She's never had a bad experience with other dogs. She was never been bitten or hurt by other dogs. She's not a rescue either and Never been abused by anyone.... she's just always been like this...

What about the aggressiveness/ wanting to bite when little dogs jump in millies face or body. Anything that can be done about this? Or should i just keep her away from those small hyper dogs?? The puppies just want to play but obviously millie doesnt and she hates being jumped on or chased. Is this just an issue of other owners not handling their dogs properly by letting them bother Millie and shes behaving properly in this circumstance by trying to bite? I mean what else could she do? train her to ignore annoying little jumping bouncing dogs ?? She actually LOVES little dogs the most!!! she just absolutely hates and wants to bite the small hyper ones that jump into her face/personal space.

Please read this article. It may help you understand Millie's point of view.
http://www.suzanneclothier.com/the-articles/he-just-wants-say-hi

 

[sgtfrog]

Please read this article. It may help you understand Millie's point of view.
http://www.suzanneclothier.com/the-articles/he-just-wants-say-hi

Great Article! Millie is exactly like CREAM! minus being attacked by other dogs in the past and Also I never Punished her for being aggressive to rude dogs. I would always just pull her away from the rude dogs.. Exactly what I suspected millie was going through! Millie does have low tolerance with puppies/hyper dogs.

There are many rude little dogs here in Korea.. The owners here treat their dogs like little kids. ANd the way parenting works here in korea would make you angry... THey Let kids do whatever they want , run around in restaurants and they barely pay attention to them and Rarely EVER say no for bad behavior. I can see this parenting style towards raising dogs aswell...

anyways, millie is well behaved just not when a hyper/rude dog invades her space!