Rockhaven SHELTIES

Thinking of getting a Sheltie puppy? You'll have no better friend and companion. Shelties are affectionate, intelligent, loyal, fun-loving, gentle, and sensitive. They love to learn, and they are excellent with children. The best pet Shelties are calm and sturdy. They can take part in almost every family activity.

Best of all, Shelties have empathy, while many breeds do not. They feel with you. You can tell your wildest dreams and deepest fears to a Sheltie, and he will understand--not in detail, of course--but he will understand that you are self-absorbed, or that you are afraid.

Don't get a puppy if you can't train your children to keep the front door closed. So many puppies have been killed by running out into the street when a child has left the front door open. Remember, other people can open your front door unless it's locked. The same goes for your back yard. Puppies are curious. An open door or gate is an invitation. Check your yard and make sure the little fellow can't get out. Padlock your gates or secure them with bicycle cable locks. Check for fence gaps that your puppy could squeeze through. Also, other dogs can get in if there is an opening. I know of several Shelties that have been mauled or killed by marauding large dogs. Is this watchfulness a lot of trouble? Yes. A puppy is not a toy. You owe it to your little fur-person to keep him safe.

Living with a puppy is like living with a toddler. You have to keep the floor picked up. A puppy, like a baby, will find that staple, pin, rubber band, paper clip, sharp piece of plastic, or other thing you have dropped, and swallow it.

Show your puppy what is off-limits in your house. Remember, this little fellow didn't grow up at your house, and he doesn't know the rules. He very much wants to be a good puppy. You must help him learn.

Consistency is the secret to successful housebreaking. I used to housebreak Shelties for people who could not seem to accomplish it. After housebreaking hundreds of puppies and dozens of problem adults, I can say that barring medical problems, housebreaking failure is a failure of the person, not the puppy. Confine the puppy to a box or crate in the house when you are not watching him. Puppies will hold it for a long time if they know that they cannot move away from a soiled area afterwards. If the puppy can mess one area and walk away to another place, he will never learn to hold it. Never punish a puppy for soiling the floor unless it's within ten seconds of the time he did the deed. Punishing him later than that just makes the puppy think you are being mean for no reason. Never rub his nose in it. Take him to the spot and say, "No!" firmly two or three times. Then make him go to the door, open it for him, and praise him. Let the puppy out first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Always feed him at the same times. Take away his water dish after 8 p.m. Let him outside immediately after feeding, and also when he wakes up from a nap or you get home from work. Always use the same door for "going to do the business." Don't carry him to the door. Make him walk. Gently push or drag him to the door. Praise him at the door, and then after he has done his business outside. Be absolutely consistent in your behavior and the words you use. I have had many eight-week puppies that were already "ironclad housebroken" and stayed that way for the rest of their lives.

A trained puppy is a safe puppy. I always train our little puppies to "hold still." Put the puppy on a flat surface. I use the kitchen countertop. Put a hand under his chest and your other hand under his rear--and lift him just far enough so his feet do not touch the countertop. Say, "Hold still." As soon as he stops struggling, lower him to the countertop and praise him. Then do it all over again. Do only 6 or 8 "lifts" in a session. Eventually, when you say, "Hold still," he will stand still even when you are not touching him. This is valuable training for going to the vet, for being groomed, for show, for obedience--and for safety.

A trained puppy is a happy puppy. Shelties are sheepdogs. This doesn't mean they need sheep to be happy, but they are most content when they have "work" to do. As a minimum, teach your little fellow to walk on a leash without pulling, to come, and what "no" means. Be sure to teach him the "come" while he is still too little to outrun you! "Come" is your safety net for your little friend, and it's vital. Need help? Look for your local kennel club, or Obedience/Agility club.

Hopefully by now everyone knows that a pet shop is the last place to find a good puppy. Why? Let's just say that I will never, never, never sell any puppy to a "middleman," with no way to know whether or not the puppy would get a good home! And either would any reputable breeder! Please--choose your little friend with care. . A puppy from a caring breeder and trained to have good manners is a safe and happy puppy that will be a joy for years to come.

And be sure to share your cherished dreams and secret fears with your very best friend!