Puppy - what's worth buying and what's not

Katiehound

I make and sell doggy duvets (for charity) essentially quarter duvets hemmed with a removable cover. I use them for my own dogs in an oval plastic bed.
These days charity shops rarely accept duvets so they go to the tip.
If you are on FB or Nextdoor you might request one, or if you are near any charity shops ask if they can save one for you?

As you are going to training you might be able to pal up with someone there to meet up in the week and walk your dog.

I haven't trained puppies but I have house trained older rescue dogs (aged 2 ish) and I've never used puppy pads.

Another thing I make and sell are tuggers or cotton bones made from old tee shirts
here's one YouTube- but there are others:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGzFC-0Yj3o
(UK tee shirts have side seams so you can't get as long as hers)
Or you could plait tee shirt- but not as strong
snuffle mats for enrichment

SensibleSarah

Perfect fit harnesses are very good. I got one for my oddly-shaped rescue dalamtian as standard harnesses just didn't fit her well at all. I may also get one for one of my current rescues, a romanian shepherd mix, as he is also not really a standard shape either now that he's fully grown. Huge deep chest but skinny neck and waist - like the barbie of the dog world  

greensalad

He’s home!



Took to crate well and is asleep in there though door still open for now. I popped him in there after he started falling asleep in my lap and he hasn’t moved. I took the advice in the Steve Mann book of giving him something warm in the crate as a comfort after he’s been sleeping with his mum and brothers for his whole life. Rather than the hot water bottle recommended I found a bed at Pets at Home on sale that has a microwave pad in the bottom. I think that is a real winner as the moment I put him in the bed he stayed put. 

No pees or pops yet despite a couple of attempts to put him out in the garden. Some kibble fed by hand but otherwise still a bit nervous about eating.

Ordering a Perfect Fit harness as soon as he wakes up for his measuring appointment!

I’m on evening watch and OH is on night duty inc sleeping on the sofa! 

SensibleSarah

How gorgeous! 

Katiehound

very cute!

MalMonroe

He is gorgeous. And I have to admit that if he lived with me, he would be ruling the place. I expect he is feeling very anxious, strange and overwhelmed right now, he's been taken from all he knows. He'll get used to you and your home though. Big shock for him to be removed and then taken to somewhere he doesn't know.

You know, all this talk of training, I'd really just rather watch a few episodes of Graeme Hall's programme 'Dogs Behaving Very Badly' - no tricks, no clickers, the occasional treat, he can get dogs who have been behaving badly for years to behave well, and he's kind while he does it, too. After all, dogs just want to please us and all they need is our guidance. (More fools them?!) And when they do, we should shower them with praise, which a lot of owners forget to do. They love food, treats, praise and their owners. Not necessarily in that order. 

Enjoy your lovely sweet pup, soooo cute!!

sheramber

But , if these owners had trained the dogs from the start they wouldn't need somebody like Graeme Hall to sort out their problems.

Last estimate I saw was  £850 for a consultation with him.

greensalad

We’ve had two nights now and he’s been really quite good. I’m waiting for it all to go wrong! We’re taking turns sleeping on the sofa. He takes to the crate well, although prefers the floor for naps if given a choice. He doesn’t whine, just a little here or there and then resettles. A little more whiney when we leave the room (just for loo breaks not leaving him alone long term).

He loves the garden (not fully vaccinated yet but no other dogs use it), and has done most of his pees and poos outside with the exception of a few small accidents.

Taking lots of new sights and smells in his stride. Often gets nervous but opens right up to the experience once we comfort him and goes back to it to investigate. 

We’ll continue on the sofa for hopefully a week and measure our successes there and see if we’re ready to both retire upstairs or not. Not pushing anything just trying to extend time alone every nap time from 30 seconds to a minute at a time! 

elsien

MalMonroe said:

He is gorgeous. And I have to admit that if he lived with me, he would be ruling the place. I expect he is feeling very anxious, strange and overwhelmed right now, he's been taken from all he knows. He'll get used to you and your home though. Big shock for him to be removed and then taken to somewhere he doesn't know.

You know, all this talk of training, I'd really just rather watch a few episodes of Graeme Hall's programme 'Dogs Behaving Very Badly' - no tricks, no clickers, the occasional treat, he can get dogs who have been behaving badly for years to behave well, and he's kind while he does it, too. After all, dogs just want to please us and all they need is our guidance. (More fools them?!) And when they do, we should shower them with praise, which a lot of owners forget to do. They love food, treats, praise and their owners. Not necessarily in that order. 

Enjoy your lovely sweet pup, soooo cute!!

Just putting this out there for consideration.

https://www.thecanineconsultants.co.uk/post/tv-dog-trainers-aren-t-magicians

Although I suspect it’s more Cesar Milan type trainers, the underlying principles are the same.


Glad it’s going well. Google the flitting game which helps pups to be confident alone. 

ka7e

Fellow Sheltie owner here!

I would recommend early socialisation and carry your puppy to as many places as possible before his vax immunity kicks in. Shelties can be quite robust and out-going if they're introduced sensibly to lots of new experiences when young, but they can be overly sensitive and nervous if overwhelmed. They are also reckoned to be one of the most vocal dog breeds, so early training on the "quiet" command is advised....my 2 have never mastered it *sigh*.

They are also one of the most intelligent breeds and love to learn. I have quite a few enrichment games and they master them very quickly.

A good fitted harness is a must. Shelties have a very slim skull profile and a collar can easily be slipped off.

One huge note of caution - please get your Sheltie tested for the MDR1 (multidrug resistance 1) gene mutation, even if his breeder claims the parents are genetically clear. The use of certain drugs including some anaesthetics and wormers can have devastating neurological effects on herding breeds. Do your research and make sure your vet is aware of possible drug sensitivity with your dog. Both mine are only carriers but are treated as "affected" to avoid any risks.

I recommend the All4Shelties group on Facebook and contacting your local English Shetland Sheepdog Club branch, as many hold group meetings, walks and social events https://www.essc.org.uk/links.htm