sheltin update
where to start...
nah, I'm kidding. Sheltin is coming along in leaps and bounds, literally through the hall of our apartment at 3, 4 or 5 a.m. I can only imagine what our downstairs neighbors think.
He's still kinda shy around Barbi and shier with people he doesn't know. I know I work with him a lot more than Barbi has time to as well.
His appetite is fine, coat, teeth, eyes, legs, posture, skin, etc all look good.
Of course, not show standards good, but we picked up a pet, not a show stud anyway
Potties outside unless I don't get up right away in the a.m., but then he uses either cardboard boxes or puppy pads
One thing I'm dealing with that I don't want to scare him about is SHeltin likes to follow behind me and then jump at and or scratch at my legs when I am walking. He scuffs and scratches my legs quite a bit if I'm wearing cutoffs.
Is there a good solution to this behavior without scaring him too much.
This behavior, granted not a positive one, was the first positive sign of affection/play toward me.
I will stop when I hear him behind me and turn around and then he runs off.
That's become a game with him now. He'll bump me then run off... then again, I do headbutt his side... go figure...
I'm still cautious about the redirection of bad behaviors and negative tones in my commands with him. I don't yell at him, but he still gets scared if I tell him no when he jumps at my legs. I'm trying to figure out a positive reinforcement or something he can get as a positive for when he doesn't jump on my legs.
He LOVES his walks, he tries to herd me and wants me to run. I fast step with him, but don't run long distances which he could easily do.
He has various 'chewies' for treats, but still enjoys a cardboard box, letter, newspaper, sock or roll of toilet paper if left unguarded
Barbi and I are moving to a house instead of an apartment and will be closer to a dog park too...
now that he's used to a collar instead of his harness, it's much easier to direct him where I want him to go instead of the other way around.
still going to get him into puppy classes before too long, he still doesn't have a great concept of the basic 'sit' command, and such, but has some commands down. More work ahead with the commands for sure...
But, overall , a vast improvement over the scaredy pup we acquired.
Still a long road ahead, but it's definitely not going to be as complex as the first couple of months.
I will get some pix up soon too....
steve, barbi, sheltin, and rupert
