New mom...many questions
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Welcome to the forum! 
Sounds like perfectly normal oes behavior to me.... |
Panda follows me every where, even to the potty  but she is fine when left alone...Willowsprite is right, just normal sheepie behavior. She may see you as the alpha, which is good....dont let it bother you too much, just watch so you dont trip over her...lol... |
TupeloHoney wrote: .......is her nature to follow me everywhere. While I think this is adorable at the moment......... Is there a way to inform her she will be ok by herself and I will return?......Is this common?....Am I teaching her to be codependent?
Welcome to the forum. In case no one's mentioned it, you'll find yourself addicted now that you're here. But, thats a good thing. It's her nature to follow you and hopefully, you'll continue thinking its "adorable for the moment," since "for the moment" lasts for years. She knows she'll be ok by herself, its you she's looking out for. Rest assured, you're not teaching her to be "codependent." You'll soon be wondering who's teaching who. Like Darcy said, be careful not to trip over them. They not only like to follow you, they like to lay as close to your feet as they can, whether you know they're there or not. 
I think OES are the most loving, devoted critters God created. |
| In case your dog starts exhibiting destructive or annoying/barking behavior when you are gone. Start out by showing her that it will be okay when she is alone and that you will always come back. Put her in her kennel or wherever you are confining her for her puppy time, and leave the area. No long winded goodbyes just put her there and walk away. Wait a minute and then come back and get her and be happy about it. Gradually increase the time that she is alone and do it a couple of times a day. It shows her that you will always return for her and it keeps her on her toes because she doesn't know when you will walk in on her doing something bad!
Another piece of advice to make her a bit more independent. Don't carry her around or coddle her too much. If she startles because of a loud noise or strange object act like nothing happened. Speak in a calm but assertive tone and go toward the object or area to investigate. If you act like everything is alright, she will follow suit. If you comfort her and tell her that "everything will be okay" she'll think that she is right to be scared and will run to you everytime that something out of the ordinary happens. Watch out for the first time that she's standing behind you and is tall enough to take you out at the knees. (It won't happen just once either!  )
Welcome to the forum and try not to become too addicted!! |
Welcome and Congrats on your new "Family" member. Do not be alarmed at how closely your OES keeps to you......that is their nature and believe it or not - when he isn't at your feet you will feel LOST. I have gotten accustomed to stepping over him and do it second nature. There is only my husband and I in the home - and Bentley loves us both - but no matter what is going on.....once I get up and leave a room....There he is. I call him my Co-Home-Foreman. I actually think that he believes that I cannot perform any of my tasks without his looking on  . We both work during the day and what I tell him when I am leaving is "I will be back soon". He knows that when I say that - he is not coming with me and he just lays down - as if to wait. You will be amazed at how SMART they are. They are the biggest clutzes and goofy - but have the gentlest hearts. All they want is Unconditional Love. I give you a couple of months and you will sit back and wonder what life would be like without your OES ... (and that thought alone will make you sad  ) Our "Bentley" has brought so many days of laughter and joy. I have No Doubts that you will feel the same. |
| Again, welcome to the forum! I posted a reply to your pool question as well.
We all call our dogs the "velcro" dogs for the very reason you mention. They always want to be with you - just a sheepie trait. A wonderful trait that, as everyone has said, you will come to love. Enjoy every moment and day with Zora! And don't forget to post pictures! 
Chris |
| Congrats and welcome to the forum! I thought you were going to be from Mississippi when I saw Tupelo in your username...lol Enjoy all the adventures these sheepies have to offer! |
| Maggie is my little shadow...I still try to convince her not to come all the way upstairs with me, I'll be right down, but she doesn't seem to mind.
She did bark the first few times I left her alone while I went outside. If you do not respond to the barking she will settle in and wait for you to return. I totally agree about leaving for short times and increasing them to ease her into being alone. I always leave the radio on when I go out. Hope she likes the station
Have fun being a new mom! |
| Welcome to the forum!!
To reduce our dog's anxiety, we used a weekend to come and go all day, so they see we always come back. A kennel or a secluded place where they can sleep is perfect too. We leave tons of fun things to play with so they don't get bored, and sometimes the TV on.... But don't worry too much unless your home starts to be torn apart. They are not called velcro Dogs because of nothing... I cannot even leave with the room without my furry shadows! |
| Welcome to the Forum!
I will also say that a sheepie is ALWAYS there...even in the bathroom as Darcy mentioned! A little difficult when there is company over for dinner...hopefully they are REALLY good friends!
GG is totally fine when we leave! Just leave Animal Planet on the TV and lots of toys! He has never stressed yet and he's almost 10months old!
I think you will grow to love always having your "shadow"! Cheers! Colleen and Gucci George=>I'm an EXCELLENT HELPER!  |
Sir Gucci's Mom wrote: Welcome to the Forum!
GG is totally fine when we leave! Just leave Animal Planet on the TV and lots of toys! Just don't leave Emergency Vets on. All the whining and howling used to bum Lucy out when it was on and get her all upset so I had to make sure if I left the tv on, EV wouldn't be on while we were gone! |
Welcome to the forum Tepulo! 
AP you are sooo right. Tuc just turned 6 mnths old, and I cant imagine life without him or Bogey. Tuc is my shadow though, Bogey gets bored with me LOL I am the one that gets a little anxious when tuc isnt always on my heels, usually means he's into something! Could use a little break for the bathroom as was mentioned before lol So yes, they may be a little codependant, but.....we are the enablers lol |
| It never dawned on me till just now. My OES is my velcro, especially at night. My beagle who has OES traits is the same way. They both follow me whereever I go and they come back to check on me on a regular basis. Sometimes going as far as to lay right at my feet so I can't move without stepping (almost) on one of them. They are even more so over the last 2 months...lol! |
| Just don't leave Emergency Vets on. All the whining and howling used to bum Lucy out when it was on and get her all upset so I had to make sure if I left the tv on, EV wouldn't be on while we were gone![/quote]
Thankfully, I don't have the sound on!
I caught him watching the TV very intently the other day, do you know what was on? AIR BUD! You know the Golden Retriever that plays sports! It was so funny!
Colleen and Gucci George=>I was trying to learn how to play basketball!  |
| Samantha loves to "help" me with laundry. She always checks the dryer to see if everything is out (she once found me drying her soft toys and she pulled everyone out). I just wished she would learn how to fold sheets! |
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