puppy love x 3...in only a few weeks
The problem is this, the information on what to buy and how to train is inconsistent and confusing sometimes. Ex: to crate train or not? Some say it's a must, some say it will make the dog fearful. How to train the dog to walk on a leash? I've read not to even have a collar on them until 6 mos, others say introduce a collar and leash right away. I was reading yesturday that people often confuse the dog as they try to teach them how to sit by gently tapping them on the bottom ..because they should learn it is the sitting that is the command, not have to be tapped on the bum. But I wonder how then to get your dog to sit? I heard by countless people that they are literally the best breed for children, but then recently, I have heard that they are notorious for "nipping"? A lady in my neighborhood has 2 and says they have NEVER even come close to nipping her 2 kids. I'm so confused about how to train and how to make sure they don't jump up on people. I have read that to train against bad behavior you have to ignore, others say to say "No". After I heard that they can be extremely hyper and knock kids over often, and they can nip, I insisted my husband put up a fence going straight from the back of my house to the back panels that wrap around our yard...making it devided and indoors we can easily gate off the family room. But I want to just teach the pups how to not nip and how to be gentle..as well as have the time to teach my children how to be with the pups. But without a doubt, I am most worried about what I have read about the males wanting instinctively to be the "leader of the pack". It sounds like there is only a window of opportunity to train them that I am the boss or the so called leader. How do I send him this message? I would love any helpful advice, but please don't advise me to reconsider getting the puppies. It is all arranged and they are going to be well loved and very cared for and properly taken care of...I realize I need to give at least an hour per night to their grooming needs; I don't need any one telling me they are going to take up a lot of my time. I realize this and am looking forward to it. I am a stay at home mom and have nothing but time and love for these puppies. It's somethingI've wanted my whole life, but I know you only get one shot with puppies to raise them as with kids having only one childhood, ..and it is very important to me to get it right. So feeding tips would be appreciated. What is the best food? Another inconsistency was whether to keep food accessable all day or to have a scheduled feed time a few times a day. I'd love to be able to better prepare and it would be great if i didn't have to lose time and money because I have never had one and need yet to learn. You could spare me this with your experience sharing. Thanks so much! Rebecca[/b] |
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| Hi there and welcome to the forum. Just keep reading and you'll find all kinds of info!
I think you're asking a lot of the good questions to ask before getting a puppy but, given those questions, and I know you don't want to hear it, but I'd seriously reconsider the number of pups that you're getting at one time. It sounds like you have limited dog experience and I wouldn't recommend a pack of OES to a first timer, no way, no how! I'm pretty surprised that a responsible breeder would sell you three puppies at once, especially knowing that you have such young children. Littermates can be even harder to train than just having a single puppy and having three could be horrendous! OES are notorious nippers. They do nip as puppies and anyone who tells you that they don't is misleading you. They're a herding breed and it's part of them. You have to teach them early that it's inappropriate. They're big dogs and can knock children over easily. In fact, OES not getting on well with children is one of the main reasons that they wind up in rescue. People find them overwhelming and too much for the children. I am not trying to be negative or to make you feel bad, but I do think you need to consider people's experiences and their advice. Advice isn't given to be mean, it's given with yours, your children's and the dogs' best interests in mind. I think three puppies at once is too much for almost anyone-- even the most experienced dog owners. |
| I promise you, Butters is not attempting to rain on your parade... she is giving you sound advice to think about. I myself am very new to owning OES, and I can tell you that although they can be the best dogs in the world, it takes work and a lot of time and dedication. I have an 18 month old OES and a 5 month old OES puppy, and I really don't understand why anyone would want 3 puppies at the same time. I agree with ButtersStotch, littermates in particular can be particularly difficult. It sounds like you are really doing your best to be prepared, and part of preparing yourself for responsible ownership of a high-maintenance breed of dog is not setting yourself up for failure. I am not saying you will fail if you get 3 at once, but it goes to reason that it would increase the chances of something negative happening. My other concern would be the breeder themself. If you are paying less than $1,500.00 each for these puppies (and hats off to you if you can afford to spend $4,500.00 on puppies in addition to all that you'll need to spend on supplies and vet care), I would definitely consider looking into the breeder more carefully. At the very least I would recommend seeing the hip and eye certifications of the parent dogs, and their pedigrees as well. All of us here love sheepdogs passionately, and are always very happy to see people who have an interest in owning sheepdogs, and trust me that no one here is trying to dampen your enthusiasm or excitement, it's just that we also have heard so many sad stories of people buying dogs from backyard breeders or pet stores only to end up having severe medical and behavioral issues with them, or good-intentioned people getting themselves in over their heads and these poor dogs ending up in rescue. I'd definitely recommend going with a breeder who has signed the OESCA standards.
Regardless of what you decide, you will find a wealth of information and lots of friendly knowledgable people here willing to help you along the way. ~ Emily |
| Thanks I appreciate everyone's concern. I accidentally failed to mention that the male is from a different breeder than the two females...to ease any one's concern about that. And I also wanted to make mention of the fact that I am not at all new to owning a dog. I grew up with dogs, and even recently owned one..he was a beautiful mixed breed. He looked like a mini sheep dog, prompting my interest in them when he passed. We adopted him but was only blessed to have him for about one year. He ran in front of a truck that couldn't stop quick enough. We live on a very quiet street in a neighborhood where everyone has dogs and many of them are friends and leisurely walk the hood. We thought it was safe to allow that because everyone knew everyone and we all drive slow on account of the children and the dogs. But Oscar's tragic death made everyone think differently. We all keep our dogs tied up now and I have fully fenced in my yard with stockade fencing and underground fencing as well.
I am only new to OES. I know dogs require a lot of work, a lot of care and love. But my thinking on it is that if it is possible, I will do a great job. I am committed to this. I brushed my little Oscar faithfully every night as he had similar fur. And he came everywhere with me and my four children. If this can be done successfully, I will. I don't care if it's 12 midnight and I have not sat down for one second on account of my responsibilities. I have a passion for this. I even sometimes feel guilty lately as I wait for my puppies to be ready to take home because I am so excited about it. I think it's all I've been talking about for the past few months. My family and friends I think are getting sorta sick of hearing it, I think, so I figured I could perhaps have some support and understanding here from other dog enthusiasts...especially OES. I am very motivated and committed to making this happen and doing a great job at it. I would just like some tips on the different schools of thought in terms of training, etc. Thanks, Rebecca |
| Welcome to the community! |
| Welcome to the forum, you will find the combined experience of HUNDREDS of years of sheepie ownership on these pages.
There are LOTS of reasons not to have more than one puppy at a time. The two I think are most important are: 1) Most breeders will discourage you from getting two littermates or two puppies becasue of bonding issues, they tend to bond with one another and not with their human owners. This can cause problems down the road with behavior and training. 2) Three dogs exactly the same age will "age together". It may not seem like a problem now but as the owner of an "aging sheepie" I can tell you that Vet expenses once a sheepie reaches 10 seem to double or triple with each year past that magic decade. I would not want to deal with that many aging dogs all at once. Not to mention that you are also faced with a high probability of the dying in proximity to each other. I cannot imagine the heartbreak of losing a beloved sheepie multiplied x's 3 over a short period of time. I am sure you are very motivated a dedicated to make this happen but I urge you to space your puppies out, give yourself the opportunity to enjoy each individual puppy. One marvelous thing about this forum is the opportunity to learn from other OES owners what works and what doesn't. |
| You will need to keep the dogs separate from each other more often than together. Otherwise they will become just a pack of dogs, and not bond the same way with people.
I agree whole-heartedly with the other posters. This is not a good thing to be doing, for you, your family or for the dogs. Something is going to give...There is absolutely no way you will be able to give adequate time and attention to rasing your family and 3 puppies....to the extent that they all deserve. The grooming alone will be difficult to keep up on, unless you are ready to keep them short. By the way, why are you getting three dogs? And do both of the breeders know that you will have 3 puppies? You mention the male comes from a different one, so so they not know? A responsable breeder who seriously places their puppies in the best homes would have concerns. If you are interested in positive methods to train you puppies I can help you there. I apologise for not reading through your 2 emails completely. It is very difficult to read so much in one post..Sorry! |
| Here's another perspective:
We share many of the same qualities in life that you mention. Our guy will be two years old next month, and he brings new joy to our life every day. We have owned numerous dogs and breeds. Our dog is the product of a highly respected breeder, and both of his parents are Champions with eyes and hips of good standing. I do not believe that we could have asked for more in our breeder or our dogs breeding. As said previously, this is a very loving - - and needy - - breed. In the first three months following our guy's arrival in our home we encountered about $1500.00 in Vet bills. That number approached $1900.00 in the first year. This is a healthy dog and the product of excellent breeding. This breed has issues - - upset/sensitive stomach, yeast infections, allergies, etc. If you disregard the financial commitment, and consider only the time that it takes to care for some of these conditions, and make trips to and from the Vet, you will see that at least our boy was very time-intensive. I could not begin to think of having three OES puppies at the same time; with all due respect (and candor), that's nuts. I suggest you really probe into your breeder and their breeding stock and program. The last thing that you want is a needy breed and a poorly bred puppy. Further, there are credible breeders within driving distance of you (e.g. Reading, MA). Finally, if you should happen to adopt a puppy who turns out to be of ill-health, the thought of having to make the decision that we all dread while your children are young is something that you should consider. I do not believe there is anyone here with the intent of raining on your parade. We are passionate about dogs and OES. If you find our comments to be other then what you want to hear, my best advice is to delete this website from your PC, as you can expect to find a very supportive community here, who in addition to being supportive, is passionate about the breed, and forthright. Got to go.......I'm missing a sock (no kidding!)! |
| What sounds like a much better idea is to get one puppy, raise it well (as you said, like with children, you only get one chance at puppyhood) and a year or two from now, re-evaluate and see if you are ready to get another dog--or puppy. At a year apart in age, the dogs will be close enough to be true companions to one another, yet each will have had its own puppyhood. The younger puppy will have had the considerable advantage of having an older dog to learn from The older dog--and your family--will have the considerable advantage of getting to really know one puppy at a time, to really and truly know that puppy as an individual and as an individual, incorporate the puppy into your family.
You will also gain the advantage of learning to care for an OES (you seem not to have experience raising or grooming an OES) one at a time. This is very, very important as the grooming needs, training needs, exercise needs, and companionship needs of an OES are very high relative to many breeds of dogs. In my opinion, you would be doing yourself and your children and your puppy(ies) a severe disservice not to at least raise the first one for year or two before acquiring any more dogs. I really hate to add to the shower on your enthusiasm, but I also urge you, in the strongest terms possible, not to get more than one OES puppy at a time, especially not littermates. I speak from recent experience. I raised OES with my 4 children for 14 years before deciding that it would be a terrific idea to get a pair of puppies to grow up with each other. It wasn't. Sophie and Sherman are now 17 months old and things are going fairly well. But the first year was bad. Really bad. Bad enough that I seriously considered finding a new home for one of them, as heart breaking as that would have been for my whole family. As previously mentioned, puppies who are raised together tend to bond together more than to their humans or even to older dogs in the home. This is intensified when they are littermates, with a relationship already established. This isn't just human ego speaking--it's a genuine training issue. And it absolutely necessary to spend plenty of time with them separately. This was difficult for us to do because of time constraints--and my kids when we got Sophie and Sherman were college aged or older! And my husband (and kids) were home most of the time for the summer. I didn't have small children around who also need plenty of time and attention. House training is more complicated because if you happen upon an accident or 10 (with 3 puppies, this is absolutely inevitable), you will have no idea who did what, and so it will be difficult to decipher each pup's individual reactions to any particular feeding and watering regime. Please trust me on this one. The other thing to consider absolutely, considering how small your children are is how big those puppies will be and how fast they will be 50, 60, 80, even 100 lbs--without a grown up dog's sense until they are 3 years old. Your smaller children will be knocked down. A lot. It is impossible to keep it from happening without being grossly unfair to either puppy or child or both. This will happen with even one puppy. With 3, it will be chaos. And not in a good way. The puppies will amuse each other, sure, but they will also egg each other on in mischief. No matter how good and vigilent a mom you are. You will have much less hair 3 weeks after getting 3 puppies than you do now, and what you have left will be gray. And all of your money that should go to your hairdresser will be spent on puppy food, vet bills, and replacing many, many pairs of shoes, as well as several pieces of furniture and some, if not all of your carpet. Maybe some woodwork and dry wall. You may think I am exaggerating, but I am not. I understand the picture you have in your head of how beautiful it will all be--and sure, there will be moments when it is really like that--maybe. In my opinion--having raised OES for 16 years, you and your family and any puppy you might get will be much happier with a much slower time table: one puppy at a time, at least a year apart. I do not doubt your sincerity, but I do have many very serious doubts about anybody's ability to raise 3 OES puppies, with young children, especially when they are very new to the breed. |
| (I'm trying to figure out how to weasel an invitation to a puppy lick fest..)
Oh, sorry... was that out loud?  |
| I have to agree with everyone also. I am on my 5th consecutive OES. I lost my last too early due to the poison dog food issue. I can not imagine more than one pup at a time unless I was a show breeder planning to show said puppies. I would like another OES later, with some age difference, preferably a rescue. I agree that it would be heartbreaking losing more than one in close proximity to another, that is why I agree in spacing age at least a few years. I now have a 13 week old boy who seems like ten puppies sometimes. I can barely get my housework done with the constant vigilance it takes to keep one safe, let alone 3, and my children ar 12 and 14 yrs of age. I know you mean well, but you really don't know HOW MUCH work you are really in for. I pray you rethink this as well. With all my best intentions... |
| I can totally relate your passion of having the puppies, as everybody else here do too. Puppies are so adorable, so cute, so heavenly. Puppy stage is a very valuable experience to us, the owner. Everything your little guy does in the puppy stage is memorable. The joy of introducing the puppy to the new world is priceless. Because of all these, the fact that you are having three puppies at a time means you are only able to witness and enjoy 1/3 of everything each puppy does. Even though I am sure you will be so devoted and put in every single minute of your time to care for them. They are still only getting 1/3 of your love and attention at a time because there are three of them together. Think about how much you would have missed out... 2/3 of the cute stuff each puppy does! 2/3 of the fun time you could have with each puppy!
By having one at a time. You can enjoy the whole puppy stage to the fullest. You can always get another one when the first one grew up a little bit. That would also mean you have 3 times longer the period of enjoying the puppy stage. What's even better is that the first pup is grown up a little bit by then and he or she can teach the little one doggies stuff and you add the second puppy. I think having 3 OES is the coolest thing too. Its just might be a better experience for both you and the puppies if you spread the time out a little bit. My English is not that good. I hope I am making sense to you. Best wishes to your decision 
Gigi |
Three oes pups cute and fun but turn into 3 BIG puppies very fast. I have 1 at 10 months and my son 12 who she loves but can get rough(Rough housing) oes are like kids can get carried away very fast, faster then you can move and you have to train your kids also on how to handle things. So 3 pups and VERY young children I worry for your kids. These dogs can come running into your livung room(like after a bath) and run up on your hubsand full force on his ____  while he is resting on couch. Could be kids. |
| Thank you for all your concern about the puppies. And as much as I didn't want to hear it, your thoughts on getting 3 puppies at once being a bad way to introduce myself and my children to OES's is perhaps what I needed to hear. As much as it saddens me to think that the task of raising and loving 3 oes at once is in reality, a bad decision, is something that is always better to figure out before it is too late. I figured if I could only establish what food is the best to feed, what is the best way to housebreak, how to nip bad behavior from the start..I figured these answers would assure me of being a responsible OES owner. I realize now that the number of dogs I introduce into my family, and in what time sequence, is equally as important in the responsibility equation. The last thing I want to do is to have my family set up for failure and heartbreak. I appreciate your cander and sound advice. My husband and I have decided we would be foolish to ignore the opinions of those who's passion is much like ours..only experienced. Thanks again, rebecca...I guess patience is a weakness of mine:) |
Welcome 
I am glad you have decided to take the advice. One pup is a handful and they grow so quickly. I could not imagine having 3 at once. 
I have two OES, both were rescued and we got them about a year apart. They are actually both the same age though. Pepsi was 10 months when I got him and Miss Rags was just turning 2. They are both now 3 yrs old. Luckily I never had to deal with either one as young puppies.
I am sure they were both TROUBLE.  |
| Rebecca, Think of the pleasure you will have getting one puppy at a time You may well end up with three over a period of time (years) and each and every puppy will be the same fun and joy, spread out over years
We appreciate you listening to our suggestions in the spirit they are intended. We all love sheepies and want to see happy dogs and pleased owners. We also ALL look forward to your picutres and stories WHAT EVER you decide!! Again, welcome to the forum. |
| Hi Rebecca (Hey welcome, by the way ),
I am really glad to hear that you and your husband were willing to listen to the advice from those on here who have had so much OES experience (those people are my heros), and I am even happier to see that you're still here.  Something tells me your heart is definitely in the right place, and that you're going to be a great sheepie mom. Like Tasker's mom said though, we'd love to see pics and be a part of your experience, regardless of what you decide. I do believe that starting with just 1 really is the ideal way. As you can see, most people on here do seem to have more than 1, but for the most part, that typically is done over time. My puppy Sampson is a wonderful puppy  (5 months old, sleeps all night, walks great on a leash, plays gently with the kids, is very easy to train, etc...), and there are days when I would love to have 3 of him... but then there are the times like when he got Giardia and had really bad diarrhea (at least 12 trips outside a day, and several nasty in-house accidents  ) and had to go to the vet for an unexpected visit that cost over $120, which included prescription dog food that was $60.00 for one bag. Glad I didn't have 3 then! Or when Sampson was learning what's ok and what's not ok to chew (need new tv remote, new kitchen towel, new socks for all the kids, new dealy-boppers that stop the door from slamming into the wall, a new couch, etc...) That made me really glad I just had one teething puppy. You'll be amazed at how much "poopie" just one OES puppy can make... Then there's the nipping... my kids have had days where they just about had it with Sampson's nipping (he's just playing but it still hurts and tears clothes and even skin). He's much better about the nipping now, but that took time, patience, and diligence.... I can't imagine trying to handle that times 3, and expecting the kids to put up with it in the meantime.
But no matter what Rebecca, I wish you the very best of luck, and I hope you get a wonderful puppy (or puppies), who truly brightens up your life, and I am really glad you decided to join the community here, and I really hope you'll stay  .
~Emily |
| i hate to rain on your parade.. reality.. i have 2 girls both the same age 12
both are dying in front of me at the same time one has cancer the other can't walk,, hate to bumm you out but you need to remember that side of owning 2 the same age, i would never do that again |
Anonymous wrote: I guess patience is a weakness of mine:)
Believe me, no one hates waiting more than me! I know where you're coming from! My two boys are a year apart and having one established, trained dog really helped the younger one become a good boy with very little effort on my part. They're best pals and entertain each other. They also provide just enough entertainment for my 13 year old dog, too. She doesn't want to play with them, but I think she enjoys their companionship (from afar!). It's fun being able to enjoy watching each of them grow up at their own rate. I always say I have my baby, my boy and my old lady! Spacing them apart a bit in age really lets you get to know each dog well. If it ever comes down to a similar situation again for me, I'd like to space out a couple of years apart even in my dogs. Like suziptcruise said, I also even worry about losing the boys at the same time too since they're so close in age. They're only 2 and 3 now but it's still something I think about. It's a bummer. I'm glad you recognized we weren't trying to bum you out or discourage you. You're going to love having an OES but I think having three at once might make you not love having OES so much, lol. Good luck and I hope you'll hang out and stay a part of our forum. We love hearing stories and seeing pictures-- especially of puppies! |
| I'm glad you took everyone's advice. Such good advice!!! Having a 10 month old nut!! and I do mean nut I understand where everyone is coming from. If I had 3 that age I would be bonkers. LOL At 10 months old Beau can knock down me or my husband. Right on our butts. They are fun and we havent had a problem with him nipping I think he uses Cheyenne for that. LOL tries to herd her and the cats.
Welcome to the forum, everyone here is so nice and has such great advice. Hope you stay and show us pictures of the puppy. ANd theres always Ron's humor to keep you around :D:D |
cheyennebuford wrote: ANd theres always Ron's humor to keep you around
:D:DDon't chase her away! |
| Welcome Rebecca! We can't wait to see pictures of your new puppy! When are you supposed to pick it up? |
My Sami is months and we are getting our second this Saturday, I'll keep you posted how that works out and the age difference, our Sami is a tease with everyone  but very good nature. As for food type in dog food up in the top it will google you topic on brands that people are using as for puppy food get on for large breeds(pet stores seem to be the best) once you find one on this site ask about it and go to their web site and read on it. They say the first 2 to 3 ingrentents shoud be meat. not corn.
The one I would like to get one is Maverick but I can not get it here 
If pup is nipping at kids try a toy in the mouth when they play so they just do that can't nip is something in their mouth BUT put allshoes up they go for those to then I have shoes everywhere when the kids have friends over or we will never find them again. |
| Welcome to the forum! I'm glad you found us and can appreciate the advice. We are looking at the best interests of everyone. I have two sheepdogs, 10 years and 18 months. It has been a very trying year with the busy puppy boy, but well worth it. I can't fathom having more than one busy puppy. Our older one has helped to train the little guy which has its benefits and challenges. I wouldn't have this much of an age difference in the future, but it sure perked up the house Good luck with whatever you decide. |
| We have an older standard poodle who is nothing but jealous this time around. She does want to play, but isn't as happy about a playmate as she was 5 years ago when we got out last 13 week old boy. He was poisoned by his dog food at 4 1/2. We weren't planning on a puppy again, but we have the best 13 week old boy you could ask for. Of course, he is a 4 legged vacuum cleaner, and nothing on the floor is safe, shoes, socks, underwear, dryer sheets. If it isn't picked up we know we are risking surgery. I have been closing my teenagers doors since they never pick up. It's my husband who really needs to be trained. Anyway, I am exhausted, never feel like I get my work done, and can't wait for puppy classes to start in 2 weeks. We need a little help training.
On the plus side, he hasn't peed in the house for 2 days, is using the doggie doors well, and sleeps from 9-6 without any problems. Those are accomplishments in themselves. I wish you all the luck in the world, even on owning 3 sheepies, but if you stagger their ages and entries into your home...you will all be much happier.  |
| WHAT is it with dryer sheets, my dog loves them and if on gets on the floor it is a mad run to see who get there first and if it is Sami I bribe her with a treat to get it WELLL now she is even faster just to get the treat. |
| Sigh! I only wish I new. LOL |
| Welcome to the forum Rabecca, please register so you can share with us photos of the new arrival.
I am so glad you took peoples advice there and wishing you and your family tons of sheepie fun and joy with your new OES puppy. |
| So I'm not the only one fishing dryer sheets out of their sheepie. Yay! LOL I swear George tries to get the whole thing in so I won't notice it and he can chew in peace, but there's always at least one corner hanging out. Does give him nicer breath though |
| Re: pet food.
You really need to keep your puppy on the food s/he is accustomed to by the breeder and do any switching you feel beneficial very, very slowly. Puppy tummies are delicate and a slow change will minimize diarrhea and vomiting. Your breeder should be a good source of advice about what kind of food to buy--but do get the best quality that you can afford. Your vet should also be an excellent source of information. Be warned though that even excellent food sometimes does not agree with individual dogs: you may have to switch around a little bit. Puppy classes should start when your puppy is about 4 months old. But don't be afraid to begin basic obedience right away. As for collars: I put one on my pups as soon as I get them. They don't like it at first, but quickly learn to ignore the collar. Same with leashes: let the puppy drag a leash around for a little bit until s/he becomes accustomed to it. Sophie, ever the st rong willed girl, absolutely hated her leash at first, but quickly learned to accept it. Praise is better than punishment; so is distraction and vigilence. My puppies went through clicker training. I'm bad at the clicker part (not very coordinated) but good at the principle: luring and enticing the wanted behavior for reward: tiny (and I mean tiny) bits of good quality treat (dried liver is great), praise or affection every time the pup does what you want it to, even if it has no idea why it's getting rewarded. It will figure it out really quickly. Best of luck. I really hope you didn't find us too harsh. We don't mean to be. We just really love OES and most of us really also love kids. Some of us (although not me) have had a lot of experience finding homes for dogs or puppies whose original owners weren't realistic in their expectations or as able to devote the time and energy necessary to raising a great dog. Some of these stories are very, very sad. Read some of the posts in the Rescuing a Sheepdog and Dogs in Trouble threads, and you will see why we seemed so concerned. It is this that motivates me and other members to advice people to be very careful and very sure about acquiring an OES. We hope you will join and share pictures and stories. |
Quote: I guess patience is a weakness of mine:)
Within about 3 weeks of loosing our sheepie-mix we had two OES puppies so I'm very familiar with that flaw.
Almost 4 years ago, we purchased two sisters from a breeder and didn't know anything about the possible problems we could have had. I've been told we're extremely fortunate that Emma & Darby get along so well because it's not always the case. They love to play together and usually sleep next to each other every night. They have a way of back talking each other and have never gotten into a fight. But again, I've been told we are extremely lucky. But we put a lot of time into these two (at the time we had 2 other dogs). Just about every evening during the first year my husband and I groomed them... play brushing at first, then actual grooming later. Using a cardboard fingernail file across each toenail so they got used to having their feet handled, looking in their mouths, fiddling with their ears and plucking hair. Figure an 1 1/2 hours or more of line brushing every few days if you keep their coats longer... the longer the hair, the longer the grooming time. If you shave them down, figure at least 1 1/2 hours to do that too. I give haircuts probably 4 times a year. I've got 4 OES so it takes at least 6 hours of haircutting and I do no more than 2 per day. We never travel unless it's for a medical reason or to get a dog (we've got enough now ). So many of these beautiful dogs end up in rescues or shelters because people were not prepared for the time required to mold them good companions or couldn't keep up with all that hair.
If I were to do it again, I would consider 2 but would do my homework on how this has really worked out for others. As mentioned previously, with 3 dogs they are much more likely to bond strongly with each other unless they are separated daily and worked with individually. You'll find if one misbehaves, the other(s) will too. You tell one to sit and that's fine but if one breaks away, the other(s) will be most eager to follow. One barks, they all bark. And start training from day one... don't wait. Within just 3 days of arrival, 9 week old pups can be taught sit and down using techniques they naturally follow but it then takes consistent training for life to make it stick. Another thing to consider is that if one gets the poops, the others will probably too. Trying to catch and clean up after 3 pups that have stepped in poop and are tracking it around the house could be a very big challenge. One way to think about it is if you get one puppy now, you're assured that you get to enjoy the puppy phase much longer if you get the other two later. If you get three all at once, you're basically done with puppies for 10-15 years Bummer. Fostering then becomes the only option to ever having another puppy in that time period.
Best wishes to you and your new pup or pups. |
| 6girls I giggle every time I see Darby and Emmas name together I have a friend and her dogs have the same names. |
| Welcome to the forum Rebecca!!
I can't wait to see pictures of your new baby! It sounds like you will provide a wonderful home. As far as specifics, as far as food goes there are a variety of options that are pre-made which you're probably familiar with. Just to give you some variety to think about, we feed our boy a completely natural diet consisting of a mixture of raw meaty bones, muscle meat, offal, and some veggies. He has thrived on it, so if you enjoy that style of feeding (knowing everything he eats) it might work well for you. If you are more interested feel free to pm me and I'll send you some links, etc. BTW I have to say I think you're making a really smart decision not getting all at once. I would probably keel over if I had to go through three coats changes at the same time. I groom Bingley for over 2 hours at a time now (he's just over a year old) several times a week. It really wears you out! Also, your children will be able to bond with one dog at a time and get used to the transition in an easier way! Welcome once again. |
| Welcome to the forum! |
Quote: I have a friend and her dogs have the same names.
Their full names are Aye Emma Bonny Lass and Darby Me Darlin' .
If Celtic signer Darby Devon only knew a sheepie was named after her. |
| Rebecca and family welcome to the forum. It is a great place for any and all sheppie questions. As you can tell though the hard answers will not be sugar coated. Sheepdogs are one of the greatest dogs there are they return the time and love that you give them ten fold. But as everyone has said they require a lot of time, love and training to be that wonderful family member.
Just as a side note. I was playing with Bella in the back yard yesterday. She is 9 months old. All of a sudden she came bounding back toward me, jumped up, put her paws on my chest and knocked me down and started licking my face. She was just playing! I’m 6’4” tall and 235 pounds I don’t knock down easily. I really think that she was as startled as I was. That having been said the other day she got out of the garage and ran over to where our neighbor’s kids were playing, ages 4,6 and 8, stopped right in front of them and waited for them to come to her. Then she lay down so the kids could rub her belly. My point is to say that they can be very gentile but they are BIG dogs that occasionally do not know how big they are. The best for your family and your puppy(s). Picture are always good. |
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