Tips for helping one year old OES settle in
I'm adopting a one year old OES in August after YEARS of patiently waiting till I had a lifestyle that would allow me to be a good sheepie mom. Any tips for helping Casey (name we picked out) adopt to his new home? Last time we visited him, we left him one of our blankets so he could get used to our smell and have something with familiar smells when he left his current home 2 months from now. We haven't had a dog at our house yet, live in a single home in the suburbs with a medium sized backyard. Casey will be coming with his own crate, grooming table, food and water bowls and toys. Essentially we are picking up every material object from his current world and setting it up at his new home. I'll be taking a week off work to help him adjust...Any advice? Suggestions? |
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Congrats Kat, and welcome to the forum! 
I think he'll be fine, you'll have so much of his familiar things. I'd just make sure he has time to thoroughly check out his new home and family. We want pics! 
P.S I love the new name you picked for him
Stacey |
| I am sure he will be fine. we adopted a three year old male once from th ehumane society. he came with nothing and was absolutely fine from day on e- well he did pee on the piano leg the first day on his way in the house, but that was it. and he had never been a house dog before. |
| It sounds like you are trying to be prepared as a human can be.
I would talk with his current owner, and get as much info about Casey as you can. Little quirks, routines that work, stuff like that. My daughter's 2 OES were both adults when she got them. Clay was 6, Martha is 2. She too had spent time with both as often as she could (hard, as they were at their breeders, 7 hrs from her house). Clay has been with her family for over a year now, Martha for about 2 months. They have settled in really easily and are very bonded with her, her husband and their 2 kids. Good luck, and patience to wait this last 2 months!  |
| Welcome and congrats
He will probably be just fine. He is young and you have been visiting him. |
Willowsprite wrote: Congrats Kat, and welcome to the forum!
I think he'll be fine, you'll have so much of his familiar things. I'd just make sure he has time to thoroughly check out his new home and family. We want pics! P.S I love the new name you picked for him Stacey Hi Stacey and Everyone!, Thanks for all the responses and a special thanks to Stacey for answering all my questions earlier this month! I look forward to seeing pictures Casey's cousins
I've been poking around the site and noticed alot of familiar names. For those of you famililar with Joy (OES mom, I believe) Casey is the 11 month old son of Rhys and Edyn. |
| for the last decade or two all my dogs have been "previously owned." I've found the best way to get them to settle in is not to overwhelm them initially. Keep their life quiet, not family reunions, etc for the first month. Set a routine and stick to it. Walk daily at least once, better more often. Feed same time each day and while you can be around, don't talk or pester. In fact I prefre to let them eat alone for awhile and then gradually integrate myself into their routine.
Sleeping has varied. I've had them in their own room or with us. Depends on the dog's needs. Training is always CALM but assertive. No screaming, arguing (they don't speak the same language). Just be assertive. Know the difference between loving and leading. Since they are new, keep them safe from themselves. They may feel overwhelmed and try to escape. Don't trust them for a minute not to bolt, dig, climb. Can't wait for your new addition!! |
SheepieBoss wrote: No screaming, arguing (they don't speak the same language).
I'll have to remember that line the next time Dan gets into a "discussion" with one of the dogs over a transgression  |
SheepieBoss wrote: for the last decade or two all my dogs have been "previously owned." I've found the best way to get them to settle in is not to overwhelm them initially. Keep their life quiet, not family reunions, etc for the first month. Set a routine and stick to it. Walk daily at least once, better more often. Feed same time each day and while you can be around, don't talk or pester. In fact I prefre to let them eat alone for awhile and then gradually integrate myself into their routine.
Sleeping has varied. I've had them in their own room or with us. Depends on the dog's needs. Training is always CALM but assertive. No screaming, arguing (they don't speak the same language). Just be assertive. Know the difference between loving and leading. Since they are new, keep them safe from themselves. They may feel overwhelmed and try to escape. Don't trust them for a minute not to bolt, dig, climb. Can't wait for your new addition!! That is fantastic sensible advice it should be a sticky somewhere! |
| Thanks for all the great advice! It's really appreciated. I've made a list of the words the current owner uses for commands so I can keep things consistant and I know what Casey's current routine is so I can duplicate it at home until we can blend it a little more with our lifestyle...no huge difference just our morning walk will be a little earlier then what it currently after he gets settled.
I have a couple of other questions though. I know right off the bat there are a few things that I noticed that we'll need to work on (jumping up on people, pulling on the leash and chasing cars) From what I've read on the forum this seems pretty common
I've been trying to decide if it's best to bring a trainer in right away or work on it on my own for a bit. I've read some really good posts on this forum for tackling some of the issues but I was wondering if bringing in a trainer right away would be less confusing for both Casey and I and we could learn best practise.... Thoughts? |
| its never too early for the right trainer. actually now would be a good timne to start seeing if you can sit in on classes with various trainers to see who you think might work best. and as always a good place to start is the certification group pages. (i.e.IAABC (behaviorists), CPDT (trainers) etc) |
| Thanks Kerry,
I followed up on that and asked the vet practise in our area if there were any trainers they'd recommend and I have two names to follow up on. |
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