getting a old english sheepdog (possibly)
I hope this message isn't a repeat, I sent one before but it didn't show up. Iam interested in getting this breed of dog for my daughter and I. I have been reading like crazy and this seems like a good breed for kids. My daughter is 6 and has special needs similar to Downs syndrome. We live in a condo with no yard, but I am very active and it isn't a problem to take the dog on walks. It would be nice if the dog felt protective of my daughter, but the most important thing is patience and tolerance. Could anyone comment on this dogs temperment and needs. I know to avoid mills and I think I have found a good breeder. She has been showing and breeding dogs for 35 years and does health screenings. Oh, and I work five hours a day so I would be able to spend time with the dog. I was also considering some therapy training for the dog, if this is possible (in addition to regular training). Also, I have never had a dog before and am just learning about them by reading a lot. Thanks! |
|
|
Welcome 
I think these guys make great companions. I also am an evaluator with Therapy Dogs International and have had several of my own dogs as therapy dogs. Two of my current dogs are therapy dogs - my OES Chewie and my basset Simon. Chewie is a very calm, snuggly guy and loves being a therapy dog. I have several TDI visit pictures in my album. When looking for a pup, make sure you let the breeder know what you want in a puppy. They should know their dogs and help pick the best pup for your needs. Here is a picture of Chewie (left) and my daughter's LeAnne's OES Clay at a visit. 
LeAnne has 2 kids, ages 6 (tomorrow!) and 4 months. Her dogs are great with the kids too. |
| Cindy...Welcome from St. Louis....
I think an OES would be a great addition to your family. I have 2 and 4 grandbabies---my sheepies are such snugglebunnies!! The kids love to lay on them and watch TV.. 
Pearl my older OES, 11 yrs old, is a therapy dog and when I decided to add another sheepie, I told my breeder exactly what qualities it was looking for.She decided Heart and I would be a great match!! She is 14 months old and hopefully will be a therapy dog in training in the next year. Good luck and keep us posted!!! |
| It is terrific you are in contact with a breeder who shows and who does health screening. If you feel confident about the health of any puppy, your next step should be to look for terrific temperment. Please be up front about any possible issues with your daughter regarding special needs and how much time you have available.
Please consider that an OES is a herding breed: they tend to look after their families, yes, but also tend to herd by nipping until you teach them not to do so. Also they grow quickly and have a lot more engergy than sense for 2-3 years: It is almost a given that a 6 year old will be knocked down (accidentally) sometimes just in the course of play. For some parents (and some kids) this is not acceptable. That said, we got our first OES when my kids were 13, 9, 6 and 4: the younger ones did get knocked over sometimes, but I knew that going in and I knew that my kids would handle it fine. Also please consider how time consuming grooming an OES is. HINT: it's a lot. Don't be offended if I seem to be trying to discourage you. OES are very beautiful dogs and too often people just see how bouncy and friendly and cuddly and fluffy they are without thinking about what it takes to keep them in good shape physically and behavior wise. OK, now that I've said all manner of things about how it might not work out, I will also share that my OES have all been very, very good with children, knowing and gearing their activity level to the ability of the child to handle it. My mother had been disabled by a stroke years before, and was left with cognitive deficits, balance and vision problems and some general mobility issues. She used to spend a few weeks each year with me. My OES were very, very good with her, even when in the exhuberant puppy phase: they could easily have tripped her but always managed to be well out of the way when she was on the move. They would lay by her side and let her pet them to her heart's content and would even play quiet games of fetch or tug with her--gearing their play to her ability to handle it without interference from me (but always, always, always with me keeping close eye: it is imperitive with vulnerable people to remember that animals are animals and could respond with a bite or by knocking someone down unexpectedly). |
| Does this instinct (gentleness) come with age? Charlie is 6 mos. old and INCREDIBLY rambuncious! My fairly-feeble 77-year old Mom is terribly intimidated by how excited he gets and we're constantly holding him back until she can sit down and be safe. Will he grow out of this or are we supposed to be teaching him something?? |
Charlie's Fam wrote: Does this instinct (gentleness) come with age? Charlie is 6 mos. old and INCREDIBLY rambuncious! My fairly-feeble 77-year old Mom is terribly intimidated by how excited he gets and we're constantly holding him back until she can sit down and be safe. Will he grow out of this or are we supposed to be teaching him something??
If you have been to obedience training lessons , Charlie may need a consistant review or a different approach. OES are very outgoing and love company, they will run, jump and shower the visitors with kisses. Its sweet at 8 wks , but at 6 months or more their moving weight can be an issue for a child, an elder or yourself. Consider clicker training. We kept working at it and Bogart will sit/stay and no jumping for a small treat. He knows the jumping is off bounds, my parents are in their late 70's and early 80's. It will take everyone in your family to be consistent but in time Charlie will catch on that it is positive (reward) to not jump. Your library has some good books on Clicker training-Karen Pryors series is the one we used. Here is an article-- http://www.clickerlessons.com/stays.htm Good luck-let us know how it goes. Both my OES mellowed with age, but stayed puppies in spirit forever |
| Some people like a high energy, high drive dog and would be disappointed with a calm sedate dog.
For others, this would be their ideal dog. Like any breed of dog, there is a wide range of activity and personality out there. That is where the research part of checking out breeders and their dogs is so very important. Of course I totally believe in training and socialization and all that. (I am a trainer, after all!) What I am talking about is the innate, inherited part of the dog - that has a predisposition one way or the other. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|