Howling all night!!
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First of welcome. Why don't you join the club? and congrats  on your new puppy. I would bring the crate in your bedroom at night. He might not feel so far away then. I know that Fergie did not like the crate at night either. We so far are lucky that she sleeps on floor next to my husband. She will wake him if she needs to go out. I put many toys out for her so she doen't chew on the furniture.  Good Luck |
| You have my sympathy, the first few weeks were rough for us too. It lasted about two weeks. Good luck! |
| Barney doesn't mind going into his crate during the day on his own. He'll go in and sleep or chew on toys or whatever. But we tried crating him at night once (he sleeps in the kitchen, which is completely baby-gated in) and we were trying to fix some potty training habits. Well, the one night we tried crating him, he barked, howled and cried all night long. Like maybe every so often he'd stop for a minute to catch his breath and we would think, yes, finally...but no, he'd start again.
I don't really have any advice since we decided not to try and crate him again and he hasn't barked or cried at night since. I know this is not good advice if you are trying to crate train him--you have to be strong and consistent. But, if for nothing else, just know you aren't alone in this behavior! |
| Argh! Yup, we've all heard the familiar shriek of a lonely puppy! Can you move him closer to you in his crate? That might help to ease the transition for him. You're doing the right thing by not responding to his cries but, you're right, you have to sleep too! Clyde actually began howling all night long after he could make it the whole night in his crate without having to go potty (he was pretty good before that about being quiet at night). Finally, after 2 weeks of no sleep, I let him out of the crate and brought him upstairs (much to the protests of my boyfriend!) with us but gated him off so he had run of the hallway, bathroom and our room. There were no accidents and complete peace and quiet. I'm not suggesting your baby is ready for that much freedom but being close to us was the trick to making Clyde happy and quiet again. |
| I agree, if you bring the crate right beside your bed he'll probably be fine.
Congrats on the puppy  |
| Thanks everyone. I am going to bring his crate closer to us tonight. I have to say however, that this is Not something we would want to continue on a permanent basis. The idea was to get him house trained and then he would sleep in our gigantic and nice warm insulated pig barn (don't worry it hasnt been used for pigs in many years and is actually spotlessy clean.) We have a kennel and bedding for him there waiting for him when the time comes. We plan on keeping him there for sleeping and letting him out in the morning for a play and a run with the kids before school. Then we have a penned off outdoor area where he can run about and not come to any harm. I will be able to come home at lunch to see him and play with him. If the weather is not great he would likely have the run of the pig barn with lots of toys etc...He will probably be let in to the house for a few hours each evening and weekend. So while he will spend a great deal of time outdoors, he will be allowed indoors sometimes. My kids and ourselves really spend a great deal of time outdoors anyway so he will have plenty of company. What are your thoughts on this? Is it cruel to make him sleep in the pig barn? Honest opinions only please |
| If you got a Sheepdog to be kept apart from the family, I'm sorry to say, but you may have picked the wrong breed of dog. Sheepdogs bond very close to their pack and do not thrive as "outside" dogs. They need to be a part of the family. To keep him in the barn when someone is not around to play with him will be cruel. I'm sorry for my strong opinion, but it is the nature of the sheepdog to be with his human pack and not a solitary dog that you trot out when the kids want to play with him. You asked for honest opinions, so this is my humble opinion. |
Sorry I have to agree. After having 3 OES they LOVE to be near people, I could not leave my babies out at anytime. They are warm freindly PETS. To me a pet is a family member. I treat them as my children. You asked what I thought. They are with me all day. PLEASE don't do this to your OES.  They are house dogs. They need to be close to loved ones. |
| Get a different dog and get one who does not require what a OES needs.
PLEASE give this puppy to a home thats what a family pet. They need to be close to the family. Not in a barn. No matter how nice it is. I am sorry if this is not what you wanted to here. I am upset that you would do this to an sheepie. They are so loving. |
| I completely agree that an OES is not a good choice for a barn/outside dog. Mine really wants to be with me at all times and it is so incredibly sweet. She'd be heartbroken if I left her on her own outside. Please reconsider. . |
| Just to present another view: not all of us can be with our dogs 24/7. Bailey spends most of the day alone in his crate when I'm travelling (like now) - he's alone from 7 till 4 with a brief break at lunch when the dog sitter comes to play with him. He's really good at entertaining himself and napping. But he is our "only child" so he does get a ton of attention and affection during the non-working hours and he's out of crate at night so he sleeps in our room or in one of his other favorite spots.
Since Darcy isn't here, I'll stick my nose in and say that Panda sleeps outside in her house (most nights) and is perfectly well adjusted about it. Panda gets lots of love from her family during her waking hours, as you can tell from Darcy's posts! I don't think spending nights in the barn is the issue. To me it sounds like a question of priority. Sheepies love their people and need to be loved back. They also need training, exercise and stimulation. We have definitely had to change our priorities to spend quality time with Bailey so that he will be a well behaved, happy, well adjusted member of the family. It's an investment but it's worth it. |
| Samantha is not a howler, thank goodness...she is 1 1/2 years old and we started a few months ago letting her out of the crate at night to sleep. She usually ends up in the crate on her own. She will sometimes jump in bed with us (like around 4 am). She is very gentle doing so. Hubby hates it, but he is fine as long as she sleeps next to me. |
| Woah, I don't think it's necessary to give away the puppy yet or to make anyone feel like a bad owner! She hasn't "done" anything wrong. Her puppy is in the house with the family now. She's a brand new OES owner without all the experience that many of the forum members have. She said that it wasn't the plan to have him in the house and many have already come through to give valid reasons why they think it isn't a good idea. I admit that most research stresses how the OES loves its people but let's try and support new owners by sharing our expertise and experience to make them better owners.
I think it would be fair to let her hear our opinions and perhaps Nicola will change her mind about the housing/sleeping arrangements before suggesting that she give her dog away or accuse her of treating her puppy poorly. She's only had him a week or so and has some time to make adjustments to the"master plan." I guess the bigger question I'd have for Nicola is, what is preventing you from keeping the dog closer to the family? I'm not trying to sound self righteous-- I know very little compared to a lot of members but I think this forum should be a place where she (and all owners) should feel welcome and come for advice. If someone told me to give my dog away, I don't think I'd be quick to return for guidance. |
ButtersStotch wrote: ........I think this forum should be a place where she (and all owners) should feel welcome and come for advice. If someone told me to give my dog away, I don't think I'd be quick to return for guidance.
I agree. Nicola, welcome to the forum. I've been here for almost 8 months and love it. Asking for honest opinions can sometimes be upsetting if they're not what we really wanted to hear. But, don't let that shy you away from the forum. You'll become not only addicted to it, but to your OES as well. You'll then understand why some opinions may seem so harsh. The question you asked us about our OES was the same as asking us if we think it's ok to put our "human" babies out at night. That's how everyone feels about their OES. They're not dogs, they're kids. So don't take offense to anything thats been said. I once had 7 adult OES, ALL housedogs. They never once spent the night outside. Bedtime consisted of us in the bed and the dogs surrounding it. Two of my babies are buried in the yard. It still bothers me when it storms knowing my Cody was terrified of them and that he's outside. Crazy, I know. I know he's not there, but............... So you see, no one's being rude, they're just protecting your baby as if it were their own. Hope you've been able to get some sleep. When I bred pups I always gave the new owners a towel or something that had the mom and siblings scents on it to hopefully help ease the stress. I also gave them a complete rundown of my schedule. I always let my puppies out right before bedtime and when they were kenneled (in a 6x6, in the bedroom) they each got a treat. Maybe yours is use to a treat. Little things like that make a world of differance. Good luck. |
Anonymous wrote: Get a different dog and get one who does not require what a OES needs.
PLEASE give this puppy to a home thats what a family pet. They need to be close to the family. Not in a barn. No matter how nice it is. I am sorry if this is not what you wanted to here. I am upset that you would do this to an sheepie. They are so loving. It is this response that I take most offence to. I am not DOING anything to my puppy. We are a home that wants a family pet. All I said is that the plan was that he would sleep in our outdoor insulated barn (eventually). He will be allowed in the house but not all the time as we are not in the house ALL the time. My children and husband and myself spend a lot of time outside; we live on an acre and a half so plenty of space to roam around. We also regularly go to the beach which is five mins away and allows dogs. Most evenings and weekends our time will involve activities with the dog. Thanks for those responses that were supportive but a few of the comments such as the one above have actually upset me so much I don't think I'll be back on the forum. Why are you so quick to condemn and judge other people you know nothing about. I am sure you must be THE expert OES owner then?!!!That's just plain nasty. |
| Just one more thing to add. The breeder from whom we got our puppy has our pup's mum outside ALL the time. She sleeps outside in a kennel and has the run of a few acres. She is only allowed in the house once in a while. The owners also work all day. This breeder came recommended from the Irish Kennel club and has excellent references. The people obviously love her and spend alot of their spare time outside with the dog (just as I had described we would be doing in my original post). We spent a lot of time with our pup's mum on several occasions before purchasing the pup. My children played extensively with it and we observed it closely. It is very well adjusted, well behaved and VERY HAPPY!!!!! SO, I don't think the previous verbal attack was justified. I did not say we would be keeping the puppy in the barn all day, just to sleep at night and if it is pouring rain and we are not home. Many of you have said that you keep your dogs in crates when you are not home or at night so how is me keeping mine in a barn any worse than keeping it in a crate??? I would really appreciate if I could get an answer on that one. I just don't understand that. I know I asked for your honest opinion but there are certain ways to deliver the same message without being nasty, its called social skills. While most of you did manage to get that message across without being nasty and I appreciate that, the individual who posted as a guess (surprisingly) did not. If you knew me, you would not have made the comments that you did. I am very hurt and angry!! |
Anonymous wrote: Anonymous wrote: Get a different dog and get one who does not require what a OES needs. PLEASE give this puppy to a home thats what a family pet. They need to be close to the family. Not in a barn. No matter how nice it is. I am sorry if this is not what you wanted to here. I am upset that you would do this to an sheepie. They are so loving. It is this response that I take most offence to. Thanks for those responses that were supportive but a few of the comments such as the one above have actually upset me so much I don't think I'll be back on the forum. Why are you so quick to condemn and judge other people you know nothing about. I am sure you must be THE expert OES owner then?!!!That's just plain nasty. That's too bad. I didn't write that particular message but I did write something similar and I certainly didn't mean to offend you. You asked for an honest opinion and I shared my view. The person who posted the message quoted above was simply talking about what she thought was best for the dog and did not suggest any criticism of you for your choice. Any question posted here tends to receive a range of opinions. Everyone has a different perspective and we all share what we believe. That is not judging or condemnation -- just discussion. I hope you will reconsider. |
| Thanks Valerie. The other posts including yours were fair enough and I do not take offence to them. I do however, take offence to the person whose advice was to get rid of my pup that I have only had 4 days; based on very little information ( because I said I was considering having him sleep in our barn at night). SHe/he stated that they were upset that I would do this to the dog??!! WHAT?!! DOes that seem justified and rational to you? By suggesting that I give the puppy to a family that want a family pet is suggesting that we are a family who do not!! This is clearly a condemnation and I believe it is judging.This person is wayyyy out of line and I am seriously biting my tongue from saying a lot more. Interesting that they wrote this anonymously. Would you consider it just discussion if someone told you, to get rid of your dog and give it to a family who really wanted a dog?? I came to this forum for support and advice and now I feel like I have been attacked for nothing. I am very surprised because I received such great support and advice in the weeks leading up to getting the pup. I just feel gutted!! |
| Nicola,
I got Beau when he was 8 weeks old. I went through the same thing with crying all night long. For Beau's first two months with me, he cried all night. I feel your pain, I went to work really tired. I took him out of his crate and let him have the run of the house and he did just fine. No accidents or chewing other than his chew toys. I wish you some rest, and hope everything with your new addition to your family goes well. It does get better. What's your puppy's name? Do you have pictures? Please keep in touch. |
| Thanks so much for your support!! We actually brought his crate up into our bedroom last night and he was MUCH better!! He did cry a little but I was able to talk to him to quieten him down and this seems to have done the trick. He really is a sweetie and very playful yet not too boisterous. Just perfect. He is very good with the kids, has tried herding my two year old daughter lol. He has learned to fetch and sit already in the four days we have had him so I think he's gonna be quick to learn everything. Two months of crying at night must have been awful for you. How did you survive it-do you work? |
| Glad to hear that your making progress. How great is that after 4 days!
Yes, I got up some how and did go to work. Very, very tired. Beau is 10 months now and is such a good boy. He just wanted out of the crate. Every morning at 6:00a.m. he barks at my bedroom door so I get up and let him out to potty. He's better than an alarm clock. My girlfriend show's her Irish Setter. I wonder if she knows the breeder that you talked about. What city are you from? |
| Nicola,
I understand why you're upset at the "Guest" response. It was worded too strongly and inappropriately. But as you can see from the rest of the responses, the "guest" is in the minority. Ron's guidance for us to post has always been "to talk to someone like you were just getting to know them over a cup of coffee in your home." Politeness and tact are paramount. Please don't judge this whole forum from one thoughtless response. This is a wonderful site to learn about all things sheepie. Glad to hear that Jackson (and you!) had a better night. Things will get better. He just needs to adjust to his new home. Please officially join the site and post pictures of your little darling! Chris |
| Thank you so much Chris. You are right. That response actually made me cry but I think it is largely down to lack of sleep as much as anything else. I really appreciate that you have posted this message as it has made me feel a lot better. I can assure you that I love dogs and would never do anything that would be to their detriment. If sleeping in our barn does not work out in the future and Jackson is not happy with that then we will have to alter the 'master plan'. If he does end up sleeping HAPPILY in the barn I can assure everyone on this forum that he will be given plenty of attention from our whole family and not just when the kids feel like playing with him. I have been brought up with dogs in our family since as young as I can remember and would consider myself a doggie lover. Jackson probably will be more of an outdoor dog but that is because we are usually outdoors especially in the summer. ANd in the winter it will be lovely to have him snuggled down in front of the wood burning stove playing with the kids. Thankyou thankyou thankyou for your kind reply. |
| I'm glad to hear everything went better last night. It must've been a huge relief to get some rest again! Maybe, as things settle down and the puppy becomes more acclimated to the situation, you can slowly start moving the crate away-- maybe out into the hall, then downstairs, and so on. No matter what you choose to do, the most important thing is consistency. How's the potty training part going? |
| We will probably do what you suggested about the crate. Potty training not too good a minute. Hit and miss really, he definitely hasn't made the connection yet but he is only 7 weeks and we have really only had 3 days to work on him. His number 2s actually are mainly taking place outside which is great. |
| Hi Nicola,
I'm sorry that you got so upset with the comments. When I read them I got upset too. Each person and family is different with different living situations and each dog is different too. Dogs adjust to all sorts of situations and can be just as happy in one way or another. It sounds like you and your family are going to have a fun and caring and exciting time with Jackson and that's all that matters. Who knows, maybe once he is potty trained you won't want him to leave and sleep in the barn...but maybe you will and that's fine too. You said it is insulated and clean and that sounds fine to me. Please know that most of us on this forum are very nice and have the best intentions. Sometimes (I've learned) that emails (or, in this case--forum threads) can sound different than the tone in which they were intended. I've been upset by emails I've received from coworkers, etc only to find out that it was merely the way it was worded... Don't leave us! And, give us pictures! And I'm glad things were a little better last night... |
| Hi Nicola,
Congratulations on getting little Jackson. When we brought both of our dogs home they howled all nigt for about a week. I think maybe they missed their brothers and sisters, that they had been used to snuggling up to. They both sleep in the kitchen, we chose not let them upstairs. We live on a farm and in the winter they get really wet and muddy everytime they go outside. They are quite happy and dont expect to go upstairs. My mum gave us quite a good tip that helped with potty training, She told us to take him outside everytime he woke up - wait for a while and he will pee praise him a lot and if you wish give him a treat, do the same thing after he has eaten or had a drink, and when he gets excited playing. Good luck with potty training give Jackson a big hug from us. Chris Frodo and Smeagol |
A great big thanks to you all. You have really balanced out the negative comments I received and I feel soooo much better. I can now see that the majority of you are really lovely people. I may just stick around after all. Will have to consult husband on how to post pics and then I will register properly. Love and thanks to you both  |
| Howling is a sign of distress. Dogs do this when they are away from their "pack". Mind you, one of my dogs howls when she is in the next room, so I guess "away" is relative LOL I have some comments that are general in nature, so therefore can apply to different scenerios.
I have a concern with a plan to keep a dog as a family pet, yet keep it outdoors. I do rescue and most dogs that are surrendered come into rescue with behaviorial problems due to lack of training, and lack of socializing due to isolation. By planning on keeping a dog outside, I am sorry to say, is setting the dog up for failure to be a part of the family, and of society. Dogs are pack animals, and need to be with their pack to feel secure AND to be happy. This is not an opinion, this is fact. The plan is always to spend hours with the dog outside. The reality is..that does not happen. For the first few days, weeks, maybe...then school, extra-curricular activites, etc. and the dog is left more and more alone. Then it barks, digs, behaves badly when it does come inside due to lack of exposre and experience, and so it is left outside more and more, or it is tied up, yelled at, hit or whatever. I am happy to say, though, that many people get a dog planning to keep it outside, but that doesn't work out, and the dog becomes part of the family. That's what a "family pet" is. Part of the family. Not a toy to enjoy and play with at the whim of the other memebers, but one that has its own needs acknowledged. Many breeders have kennels for their dogs, and that is why they are called "kennel" dogs. If they are used to that life, it is fine for them. But they are not alone, but with other dogs. Also, they are not expected to act like a family dog, be house-trained, walk nicely, politely greet people, because they may nto have been exposed to that environment. The more time a dog spends with its people the more it learns how to behave, as it is constantly taught. Not to say that any of this is going to happen to anyone's dog in particular, but the changes are there....in a big way...Sorry to be unsuppotrtive, but this is more advise against keeping a dog away from the family..... For anyone who wants it : ) |
Bosley's mom wrote: Howling is a sign of distress. Dogs do this when they are away from their "pack". Mind you, one of my dogs howls when she is in the next room, so I guess "away" is relative LOL I have some comments that are general in nature, so therefore can apply to different scenerios.
I have a concern with a plan to keep a dog as a family pet, yet keep it outdoors. I do rescue and most dogs that are surrendered come into rescue with behaviorial problems due to lack of training, and lack of socializing due to isolation. By planning on keeping a dog outside, I am sorry to say, is setting the dog up for failure to be a part of the family, and of society. Dogs are pack animals, and need to be with their pack to feel secure AND to be happy. This is not an opinion, this is fact. The plan is always to spend hours with the dog outside. The reality is..that does not happen. For the first few days, weeks, maybe...then school, extra-curricular activites, etc. and the dog is left more and more alone. Then it barks, digs, behaves badly when it does come inside due to lack of exposre and experience, and so it is left outside more and more, or it is tied up, yelled at, hit or whatever. I am happy to say, though, that many people get a dog planning to keep it outside, but that doesn't work out, and the dog becomes part of the family. That's what a "family pet" is. Part of the family. Not a toy to enjoy and play with at the whim of the other memebers, but one that has its own needs acknowledged. Many breeders have kennels for their dogs, and that is why they are called "kennel" dogs. If they are used to that life, it is fine for them. But they are not alone, but with other dogs. Also, they are not expected to act like a family dog, be house-trained, walk nicely, politely greet people, because they may nto have been exposed to that environment. The more time a dog spends with its people the more it learns how to behave, as it is constantly taught. Not to say that any of this is going to happen to anyone's dog in particular, but the changes are there....in a big way...Sorry to be unsuppotrtive, but this is more advise against keeping a dog away from the family..... For anyone who wants it : ) Thanks for the advice. It is certainly food for thought. We actually do spend most of our time outdoors when at home which is why I said the dog would be mostly outdoors. It will most of the time be indoors when we are indoors. Do you have issues with people that work and keep OES? |
| Nicola,
I work full time so Barney is kept in the kitchen while we're gone (my husband is in school, so he's gone all day too). While I'm sure it would be better if I was a stay at home mom to my dog, that is just not possible and we do the best we can with the time we have with Barney. We go play with him as soon as we get home and spend as much time with him as we can. He seems perfectly happy. We make sure he has toys and stuff to chew on while we're gone and dogs adjust. This is the really the only life he's known, and it's not so bad, so he's not thinking anything of it. |
| Nicola,
I have heard that there are breeders who won't sell a puppy to households where both people work because they don't like the fact that the dog would be by itself all day. Some also won't sell to people who don't have fenced in yards. Well, I work all day and we don't have a fenced in yard. If that's the case, those breeders would have never sold me a puppy! And yet we've had 3 sheepies, all healthy and happy. Until my husband got a job where he keeps his office in our home, Drez was by herself from 7:15 AM until about 6 PM. She has never been crated (our choice), always had the run of the house. This was her routine, she was used to it, and she was fine. Occasionally she would get bored and get into some trouble in the house, but from what I've read on the forum, ALL our dogs have gotten into mischief at one time or another. Now she's spoiled because daddy is home with her during the day, and she's only alone while I work on the occasions where he travels for a few days. She sleeps on the floor in our room. Some people crate their dogs while they're at work. That's THEIR choice. A lot of trainers advocate this, for the dog's as well as the house's safety. But I just can't wrap my head around crating a dog all day, letting it out while you're home and awake, and then crating it again for bed. But again - if that's what your dog is used to and you're both comfortable with it, so be it. Who's to say what's right? Everyone's situation is different. From your posts, I don't take it that Jackson can be classified as an outside dog. I gather that he will be outside when you're outside, and inside when you're inside, with the exception of sleeping, when he'll sleep indoors but not in your house. So technically, he won't be an outside dog, because he'll only be outside when you are. Is that a correct assessment? Like I said, everyone's situation is different. What works for one may not work for another. But the bottom line is - as long as the dog is well cared for, loved and happy, let it be. Chris |
| People who work...many people own dogs and work at home. Many people own dogs and can take their dogs to work with them..I assume the question was whether or not I have issues with people who work and leave their dogs at home alone all day...sigh...I am one of them, too...The older dogs who are reliable are left free in the house to play around or to sleep on whatever sofa they want, and the younger ones who are not reliable, or any rescues that I am fostering are left in the house, in an area safely barricaded but with view of the other dogs. Of cource for really young pups arrangements need to be made for someone to come in during the day for puppy breaks etc. for the first few months. But dogs do a lot better when they have lots of down time. A dog that is contantly turned on, playing, walking, training, working etc. has a harder time adjusting to quiet time.
I find that young pups are usually more mouthy, yappy, and annoying when they are tired and unable to focus on behaving and learning. Please remember that pups of Jacksons' age need around 20 hours of sleep every day. |
| Bosley's mom -- I love your avatar! I hope you will post more pictures of your beautiful sheepie!! |
| Hi Nicola, Just wanted to say congrats on your little guy and let you know I was completely a mess the first few weeks to a month after we got Max. I'm sure everything will fall into place, it always does!! I think it's fantastic that you have a barn and so much acreage for your sheepie to roam, it sounds like a lovely place. It's true that these dogs want to be with us constantly! I keep Max in his crate at night, and during the day he'll go to his crate if I have to leave. I think he cried the first few nights I crated him, but he got used to it and has been as quiet as a mouse ever since!! I'm still learning so much as Max is just turning 9 months next week, but it sounds like you love your puppy so just take it a day at a time like I did
Sharon |
| Thanks everyone. Sharon, I absolutely love him to bits. He has a lovely temperment; I think we picked a gem. He's gentle, bouncy, playful but not hyper at all (so far), he is soooo affectionate. I am actually dreading leaving him to go to work tomorrow and will probably be stopping in between all my visits ( I work as a community Occupational Therapist) which enables me to call in between my visits several times a day. There are times when he is lying sleeping that I have to refrain from going over and hugging him-is this normal? |
| Lol. I still squish Clyde daily and he's a year old now. He's so huggable. |
Nicola, as I mentioned in my earlier posts, we all do the best we can with what time we have. As I often tell Bailey, someone has to pay for the kibble  My breeder's dogs were also outside dogs too (except for the puppies!). As time goes on I have more and more respect for her - I was a completely uneducated buyer and she made me sit through all of the details that I was too dumb to ask about -eye tests, hip tests, geneology, explanations of AKC registrations and why Bailey would have a limited registration . We were lucky, lucky, lucky to find her.
Bailey kept me up for the first two weeks straight and I was a complete mess. I couldn't decide whether to cry or scream  Conveniently, my husband left town on a business trip so it was me and only me, and never having had a puppy before I had no idea what to do to make him happy. Do I feed him? Do I take him out? Do I play with him? After about 2 weeks Bailey got used to his crate and his new home and he's been fine ever since. Well, he still gets up way too early on weekends, but I can't seem to explain the whole weekend thing to him so I just pretend to sleep until he wakes my husband up 
And yes - I often get the need to just give him a fuzzy big hug! Of course, he prefers a good butt rub or a belly rub. Sue |
Glad you decided to stay, and got a little sleep. I would suggest that you get your little guy somewhat use to the barn so he'll be comfortable with it before you try leaving him out all night. Howling may start over again at that time. 
A little off topic here, but especially if you do have him outside more than in, remember the heat, mosquitos,and ticks. Always keep the hair around his rectum trimmed and clean. Nasty, but poopy draws flys and flys lay eggs....Yuck Yuck If a soft stool, it can stick to the hair and close off the rectum making it impossible for them to potty. |
| Hi Nicola,
I used to work full time, and pop home at lunch time to see the dogs. I left for work at 6am and returned at 11am to let them out then finished at 3oclock. They always have their big sleep during the day, even while I am home. The most wonderful thing about an o.e.s. is they just fit in as one of the family. Old English Sheepdogs were originaly bred to be shepherd and drovers dogs, and spent days on the moors with their masters, at night they would be outside guarding the herds. hence their dence coats. In my experience an Old English needs lots of play, lots of mental stimulation, lots of love and lots of space you sound as if you can provide all of the things he needs, Oh dont foreget lots and lots of brushing. Enjoy your sheepie and dont worry too much. One little warning though they do get addictive, once you have one you want another and.... Chris Frodo and Smeagol |
| Nicola, Welcome to the forum. As you can see we all absolutely love our sheepdogs. They really love their families as well. It sounds as though you have a great one. Just a few things that really worked well for us with our puppy (she is 1 year and 8 months old now) and the potty training...from the very beginning, every time she started to squat to do her stuff (outside) we would say "Go to the bathroom". Now we can be inside and say "Lets go to the bathroom" and she will run to the door. If we are outside and say "Go to the bathroom" she will go on demand (#1). But a word of warning...be patient because this can take up to 4 months. But it works!!
Good luck to you...and remember sheepies can never get enough touch and love. |
| Hi Nicole-
My first sheepie pup howled when I brought him home, I think because it was too warm for him where I had him. My second sheepie pup...I just put in bed with me and he still sleeps with me (3 years later) or next to the bed on the floor. I work all day, leave him in the backyard with my Huskie (they romp and play) and he's with me the most of the other 16 hrs of the day, just not the 8 while I'm at work. Works out fine- Good luck on the sleep, noticed you wrote in the middle of the night on a few of your messages... It will be worth it for all of the love and warmth they give. |
| Panda does sleep outside most nights...she has an insulated dog house and her water bowl is filled every evening....She Only sleeps outside, other than that, she is where ever we are...and she is kept inside during the day when we are at work...(its too hot here in the summer for her to be outside during the day)
The funny thing about this post was that Nicola was only asking where her dog should sleep.... Does it really matter where the dog sleeps as long as he/she is warm, dry comfortable and safe? As far as I can see, Panda has her own bedroom, private bathroom and doesnt mind it....we also must remember that these are WORKING dogs, the breed is used to sleeping outside, protecting the sheep....we all have just become over-protective momma's. Sleeping outside does not constitute being a bad pet owner. It's how often that you interact with your animal and the love and care that you give it. Panda is my baby, I love her with all of my heart, but she will sleep outside until we no longer feel that it is in her best interest. After all, thats all she is doing.....sleeping...as you should be too, at night. |
| I'm sorry you feel attacked by some of the replies here... as someone posted, we all feel very strongly about our beloved breed, and in my opinion they DO do better when kept with the family in the home.... HOWEVER... I do know of a couple of families who have perfectly happy, healthy well adjusted OES who are farm dogs, live outside, sleep in a barn and romp outside all day. They are just fine. That is actually what the breed was intended for in the first place.... they are a herding breed.
A dog that is loved does not necessarliy mean treated like a human child, given satin pillows by the bed, and have free roam of the family home. I'm glad your pup is doing better at night As he matures, as long as he feels secure he will do just fine.
I hope you stick around, and we love pics! |
| Whew! I haven't been on the forum for awhile! It took me awhile to get thru all the posts!
Congrats on Jackson...even though I am disappointed his name isn't Sir Ringo...  LOL
I personally think that it sounds like Jackson is going to have a fantastic life and definately has a mommy that loves him to pieces! And why do I get the impression that if Jackson totally hates the barn at night...he will be in your bed with you? Trust me...husbands can be...ummm for lack of a better word...manipulated! I think that no matter where Sir Ringo...I mean Jackson sleeps all will be GREAT! It's all what they are used to! I think that Jackson is one lucky Sheepie to have tonnes of land to play on and herd imaginary sheep!
Hope you are getting some sleep! When The Gooch came home we had the opposite problem! I had him in a crate beside my bed...with my fingers in the holes of the wire to try to comfort him, you can imagine how much sleep I got, if he finally quieted down he was chewing on my fingers!
So I tried him downstairs in his play area, by himself... and he was quiet and happy! Guess I was keeping him up! LOL He has been sleeping downstairs without me ever since!
I'll get over some day! |
| Hi i just joined . I know People who say to leave a dog outside and other who say its wrong . This is my opinion I had my bobby for 12 years before he died. I think its a personal choice to make . But dont keep them in and spoil them for months and then put them outside or you are gonna have some serious problems. If the barn is well insulated and kept warm then i dont see the problem with it . I personally kept my boy in doors at night and let him out for runs and walks during the day. But i do know a friend that kept hers in a kennell at night and she was fine because it was heated . So you do what is right for you and your puppy. There are only a few things your pup needs and they are : Food
Water Warmth But most importantly loved and kept as a companion not just an object. They need to be part of your family not an outsider looking in . |
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