Questions about a rescue
There is a 17 month old OES that is up for adoption. He has had 2 homes. His present owner has to give him up because it was her son's dog, and when he and his wife separated, he moved back home with the dog. They already have 2 dogs and 2 cats and she said her husband doesn't want a third dog. I have been told that he is lovable, friendly, great with other dogs and cats, loves the car, affectionate etc. The only thing she knows is that he does not like grooming. He has been with her for 4 months and hasn't been brushed nor has she tried to brush him. She doesn't know what he does when he's brushed. I asked if he bites and she said she cannot picture him biting but she doesn't know. Any advice? Would this stop anyone from adopting? I know that grooming is a major part of owning OES. I groom Charlie weekly, sometimes more. I'm a little nervous getting a dog that hasn't been accustomed to this. Anyone with experience, I would really appreciate your input. Thanks. |
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| Sheepies can be kept in shorter hair with regular trips to the groomer. It may take a shave down initially, but after that it will be easier for all to remain in a puppy cut of just an inch or two. You can slowly train him to like grooming by using a soft brush, like a boar bristle used on upright hair. For Kensie I started with the back of the brush, smooth side, so she enjoyed the sensation of having something move over her body. It grooming is the only thing keeping you from adopting, do think carefully. Some dogs are natural loners, they will not tolerate other dogs. Introduction should be gradual and calm, no free-for-all. In fact first meeting would be better away from home. You "just happened" to be out walking your dog and a friend or other family member happens by with the new sheepie. Let them sniff a few time and then go on a long walk together ending up back at home. At all time all pups on leash and gradually walking side by side with uprights. This is a gradual way of letting the newbie know he now has a pack that accepts him and the current resident sees you (the ones in charge of the pack) have added a new member. Getting another sheepie is quite normal. The potato chip: Can't stop with just one. |
| Thanks for the reply. The grooming isn't so much of an issue. It's more how to get Max to become accustomed to it without causing any aggression. I don't know what happened to him in his first 7 months of life and from the sounds of it, his owners from 7 months on didn't worry about grooming. I would love any more advice for introducing this to him, so that it's a pleasurable experience. Thanks. |
| I'm the weird one on the forum. I sit on the floor and groom my dogs. I tried a table and hated it. I put an old, cheap quilt on the floor in front of the TV and comb them out. When I click the rake and comb together, they all come running to be first. I make ooooohs and awwwwhs the whole time I am combing them out, saying their name and "good dog." I've never given treats until we are finished, even as puppies, but some people do. Start out with very short periods of time, one stroke of the brush if that is all you can get. Treat when you are done. I don't trim nails - ever. So I take them in for that. Three of the four are great about it. My son's dog has to be sedated for nail trims. |
Mom of 3 wrote: I'm the weird one on the forum. I sit on the floor and groom my dogs. I tried a table and hated it. I put an old, cheap quilt on the floor in front of the TV and comb them out. When I click the rake and comb together, they all come running to be first. I make ooooohs and awwwwhs the whole time I am combing them out, saying their name and "good dog." I've never given treats until we are finished, even as puppies, but some people do. Start out with very short periods of time, one stroke of the brush if that is all you can get. Treat when you are done. I don't trim nails - ever. So I take them in for that. Three of the four are great about it. My son's dog has to be sedated for nail trims. I guess that makes me weird as well...  I also groom on the floor. When Pearl first came to me from the Humane Society at about 4-6months old. I would turn on some nice, soft relaxing music and very gently brush her. After a while, she was fine with my brushing. Otherwise, like others have said, get a short puppy cut on him and maybe you can begin brushing that, and, as it grows out, he will become more accustomed to it. Good Luck,,,keep us posted!!!!! |
It's not quite the floor, but I groom Benson on the daybed. We put on a movie, Hubby and I sit on opposite ends of the daybed with Benson between us, and I do the serious grooming while he gives her cuddles. (We've done it this way since she was a puppy.) Sessions last either until she is done, or, if I've been a bad mommy and let her get too tangled, we stop when the movie is over. (I figure that's pretty much enough torture for one night.  ) Good luck! |
| My floor days are long gone I use the couch or bed, groom whichever side is up. In time she trusted me to grab the 4 paws and flip her over, then lots of praises and tummy rubs. Granted, we still haven't conquered tummy gromming and will keep that trimmed back......when I get around to it. Other times I just groom her shawl as she sits next to me......with lots of nose kisses.......both ways! |
| I, too, groom on the floor in front of the tv. Charm gets less treats now than she did in the early days, but still has the "good girl" token. If Max has not had grooming for so long, he's probably a mess. But what's a few more days?? Establish strong rapport with him, allow him to watch you groom Charlie, and offer him treats too. Then reward laying the brush close by or any curiosity on his part. Start slowly in baby steps with lots of praise and grooming only, high value, rewards. Sheepies are smart, he will get it with lots of patience. |
| I do floor and table. Floor for his head and chest and table for everything else because he does not like his back legs and bum groomed so having him on the table makes it easier to groom these areas. He whines and barks when you do these areas so Russ will cuddle him to distract him I brush. He is a happy waggy chappy when he is allowed off the table. He is also pretty willing to get up on the table so I don't know what the fuss is about. |
Thank you for all the advice! We were so excited to get another sheepie, however, the lady just contacted me and said she doesn't know if she can let the dog go.  Sad for me, but happy he gets to stay in his home. If she changes her mind, I'll keep you posted. I'm sure there's another sheepie out there for our family if this one doesn't happen. |
| Karen, I'm happy/sad for both the dog and you. I believe that there is the right dog out there for you. I found a 13 month old rescue available an hour away. But that would make it five dogs (three is our limit, lol) and it is a male. I've never had a male Sheepie before. The Goldens have always been boys and Sheepies have always been girls. Bailey is 12 1/2 and who knows how she is going to do this year. And my husband is having a health issue - still in the diagnosis stage and we are uncertain of the severity. Then there is the new grandchild due in March. And another wedding to help plan. I keep telling myself it is wrong time. And I tell myself that over and over. |
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