HI.. I’m VERY interested in getting a sheltie puppy. I currently have two cats, who have no experience with dogs, (That’s why I think It would have to be a puppy, so they get used to it when it’s little. They’re flight, not fight personalities and have no front claws, so I’m sure they wouldn’t harm the puppy).
I live on a BEAUTIFUL campus in the country and love taking walks, so I could give the dog exercise that way BUT I don’t have a fenced yard for it. I would never allow it to roam unsupervised outside. I’d prefer to keep it inside with me most of the time. My apartment isn’t very big.. I’m inteerested in obedience training and teaching it lots of good skills (I know shelties need something to mentally stimulate them)..
I work 8 hours a day, true, but i work 3 min from home and come home for my lunch hour.
So.. do I sound like a good candidate for a Sheltie pup?
You don’t happen to have a sable female 8-12 weeks old for sale in Washington D.C./Lower Mayland/Northern VA??
Am I A Good Candidate For A Sheltie Puppy??
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#1 by Shadow’s Melon - February 9th, 2010 at 07:02
Well, you’re on the right track by wanting to pursue training with a new puppy! Everyone should do obedience IMO and more than just that first puppy class. Besides, getting into obedience and working towards titles in the novice and other rings is really lots of fun for you and your dog. Um, and addictive
You can also consider agility for a sheltie too. They are great agility dogs! We even have a sheltie in my herding classes and he does pretty well at moving those sheep. So there are plenty of options for keeping a dog mentally stimulated.
I suggest that right now, you seek out a reputable breeder and discuss with that breeder if this breed is right for you. Then, if so, get on a waiting list for a litter. Being on a waiting list means it could be a while before a litter is produced, but will give you time to look into training options for when puppy is ready to come home.
Contact a local obedience, agility or training club and ask for referrals of good obedience trainers in your area. The advantage to finding one thru a dog oriented club is that these folks take their training very seriously and they will suggest good trainers they know and have used themselves.
#2 by Valarie - February 9th, 2010 at 11:42
I’ve used this site before:http://animal.discovery.com/breedselecto…
go to the dog breed selector, and it asks you some questions such as Size of the dog you want, Energy level, Exercise requirements, playfulness, friendliness towards other pets, and so on, and it gives you breeds that matches your answers and how well they fit what you describe. Good Luck!
#3 by Pink Teacup Pachyderm! - February 9th, 2010 at 16:12
what concerns me is that you say you live on a “campus” I may be wrong but that says to me “college student”. You only mentioned work tho in your daily schedule, and not school.
If you are in college.. where will you be after you graduate? Its not easy to find affordable pet-friendly housing. Not many places allow 2 cats AND a dog. Most places only allow 1-2 pets. Most college students are too buys for a puppy.. between work, school, and studies.
You did not mention going to school tho, just that you live on a campus. You know your situation better than we do, so keep that in mind.
Otherwise, I would say ok.. its great that you live close to home, and you are able to stop and take it out during your lunch break. A young puppy can only be expected to hold it while crate for a few hours.
You may want to consider adopting a young adult tho from a rescue. If you get one thats currently being fostered in a home, they can tell you the temperment, and how well its doing on housebreaking.. and if its used to cats. Puppies are ALOT of work. Housebreaking can be very trying for a new dog owner. Even a young adult who isnt fully housebroken is easier to handle than a young puppy. A young adult is a little calmer and can focus easier. An adult can also hold its bladder longer.
My next concern.. I dont own shelties, but I hear they are notorious barkers. All dogs bark, yes.. but some breeds tend to bark more than others. Something to keep in mind because you live in an apartment. The fact that you plan on taking it for long walks and obedience classes is a plus tho. Some training, and exercize helps with behavoir problems. Many dogs bark simply because they are bored.
#4 by rivendel - February 9th, 2010 at 23:07
I think it sounds pretty good, just as long as you make SURE you realize the true cost of a puppy – time and money for vets and spaying, not to mention unexpected emergencies. As long as you can handle all this, it sounds like you’d make a loving home for any puppy (well, perhaps not a great dane
) Also, with a sheltie, you’re going to have to spend lots of time or money or both on grooming. As long as you’ve considered everything, I don’t see why not.
Also, might I suggest trying http://www.petfinder.com to find your puppy in your area? It may not be purebred, but you could get a sheltie as the dominant breed – and lots of rescues have really young puppies (plus you’d get it for much cheaper than a breeder would give you one). Unless you plan on showing her, I’d suggest looking for rescues this way so you can give a dog a home who might not get one otherwise. Good luck!
#5 by eastJack - February 10th, 2010 at 02:21
I got a Sheltie about 4 years ago and she has been the best dog that I have ever had (except I cant get her to stop barking at every little noise). Shelties can be very caushes around new people and places, when I bought my Sheltie the breader would not us even look at the pups unless mother and father would walk up to us and let us pet them. But other then that she has been very patiant with are 2 year old petting her and slaming his toys on her head when trying to play with her, but she watches him like a hawlk. They also have very strange attitudes, my sheltie is very quick to pick up on stuff and kind of crazy sometimes (she will just start running all over the house). My mothers Sheltie is very stubern and will not do anything that she does not want to do, you call her and she will come half way to see what you want then go back to what she was doing if she does not like what you want. Shelties can also come in very different sizes so ask to see the parents to get a idea of what size the dog will be.
Rember Shelties are hearding anminals and very protective of owners and other animals they like, they have been kownen to have taken out a pack of wolfs while hearding sheep. I would do a surch on them and read all you can.
Hope this helps
#6 by Linda S - February 10th, 2010 at 03:36
As long as you can deal with any expensive tradigity that happpens to come up.
I would say a sheltie would love you very very much