any advice welcome
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| Since I work from home, I guess Abbi works with me too! I just read your post, so I thought I might answer it. They say late is better than never.
There is so much information here about training, dominance issues, and behavior that I bet you have already read about what I know about OES. If you still want to try to put a picture up with your post, I have copied something I wrote for another poster: Basically run it through any photo editor and hit resize. Then reduce it a lot, like 75-90%. Then save it as another JPEG photo -- just rename it. If your photo editor will not let you resize by percentages, sometimes it will have the save as e-mail (which also reduces the size)option. Do that, then go back and check that photo file's properties. You need to get the photo's size down to 12KB and no more than 150x150 pixels format. The photo's file properties will tell you how many KB's it is. Then reopen your reduced photo file in the photo editor again and hit the size option again. In the scroll bar or options list it should let you change the pixels (which affects the length and width). Do it in proportion and preview it. If it looks ok, save it and put it in an easily browsed area, like My Documents (or Desktop) and upload it as your Avatar at the bottom of your OES forum profile's options. For your Profile options-- sign-in, go to the top of the page and look at the options ... one of them is PROFILE. If you are logged in you will see it at the top of whatever page you are on. Click on that and go to the bottom of the profile options page. At the bottom there's this Adding an Avatar option. An avatar is a small picture or graphic (less than 12 kb). Just follow the directions. Upload from where ever you placed the photo file (MY DOCUMENTS or DESKTOP). Since I am typing this from memory, I may have to come back and edit this advice after I check it out myself. I think you said you had picked a male puppy. I would not neuter a female or male puppy. Seems their hormones actually help them develop stronger muscles. So if you can manage their hormonal changes and cycles, just hang in there for a year or two before you neuter them. I had Abbi neutered at 8 months and she is now incontinent at 4 years. Males do not have this problem, but their muscles also are developing until they are about 2 years old. If you make sure the pup knows you are going to be a strong dominant leader you will not have to worry about their "acting out" at 6-8 months, when everone says that neutering might help. It did not really seem to help with me and Abbi at any rate. The above is mostly just my opinion, but I thought I might share. Since you have other pets, make sure the introduction is smoother by remembering to play with the older pets first. Also make sure the new pup has his own protected place to go to, as he will be just a small thing the first couple of months. Control his food intake, but feed him 2-3 times a day. Make sure to train him to wait for his food and to permit you to take his food away from him right from the start. You will have to watch him closely with all of your pets. Abbi tried to get into our aquariums at 3 months. She would chase the hamster in his ball if we were not watching, and still tries to pounce at our parakeet if it tries to come to me (she's jealous). Basically they are still dogs. Can be pretty stubborn, but mostly they are just trying to become more like us. Enjoy your little ball of energy. They grow up fast. And do they change. Abbi's nose was pink when we got her. And she was so dark black and white, we never thought she would be silver and white. It all happens so gradually yet so fast ... guess I am just getting older. I wouldn't count on taking him to work with you between the ages of about 12 months to 18 months or so. They go through this stubborn stage then, and they are big. At about 3 years they become a lot more laid back again. Sort of like raising kids. Every time you get things under control, they change.[/b] |
| thank you for your reply. yes i have spent loads of time reading this forum. i found it better than books i have bought and even better than most websites as it comes from actual experiences. |
| Hi Cajaga,
As usual Agingright gave great advice! I currently have Merlin my four month old OES as well as 15 year old Shaggy and 13 year old Blue - a Blue Heeler/Lab. I'm a special ed teacher and in the past would bring Shaggy to work with me. I couldn't have attempted this earlier in her life as she was too hyper and bouncey and would I'm sure have created havoc at my place of work! Shaggy did something very special one year that sold me on this breed forever. She would often bring balls and drop them in front of children's feet. However, when I brought children to my home that were in wheelchairs she seemed to know instinctly they were unable to pick them up. She would gently nudge them in their hand. She never did this with other children. Even as late as last year at age 14 I brought her to school with me to help one particular child whom was so terrified of dogs. This child had such a fear she would race out on a busy street even if a dog was walking her way. I had spent weeks preparing her for the meeting..bringing in photos and puppets that resembled Shaggy. The morning of the meeting she screamed and raced to the other side of the room. Slowly she approached Shaggy (this took 1/2 the morning) and by the end of the day she was walking proudly down the hall with her. Gotta luv days like that! I might never have another Shaggy and at this moment can't visualize Merlin ever being calm and docile..ha ha!!! Like Agingright mentioned it will take aprox 3 years before he even "settles down". Yes, this breed is a lot of work but their personalities are so wonderful that you end up forgetting the hard work you put in previously. I think it's like giving birth..ha ha! My possible plans for Merlin and this I know it is going to be a long term goal is to perform on stage with me. I am also a family entertainer and at one point held the title of the "World's Funniest Magician". (Reason for my lame humor.) This may not be feasible and only time will tell if his personality will suit this line of work. I'm such a stickler on this kind of stuff that I won't use a rabbit or any other animal in my shows as it seems to go against their nature. With OES however they seem to love the attention of people . It is only something I am considering with Merlin as only time will tell. I'm rambling so will try to end this. Overall, I think an OES would be great in therapy work but as they are all individuals and don't really calm down until age 3 , only time will tell with you. Good luck and I sincerely hope it works out for you! Oh and last thing - this forum is wonderful for asking advice and sharing stories from OES people from around the world. Marianne |
| for marianne and aging right - thanx for all the great advice!! i have other pets and have only had a few to do therapy with. i help temperament test various animals and agree that there are special gifts only a few animals have. there is no way humans can give or explain what the animals give to patients. i have been involved in animal assisted therapy since 1987. the pup will be ok at work until 6 months old with close supervision then we'll see. now i am the one rambling. we are just so excited about the new baby that it's hard to wait 2 more weeks. i have pictures of him at work and there is anticipation there also. |
| Cajaga.
Just a word of caution, this is not a breed for the feint hearted. I am finding that out for myself. But i have also found it the most rewarding dog i have ever known. At the moment of writing this, my 15 week old darling is sitting curled up at my feet in my office after a particularly long walk, all damp and comfortable. Im not sure if i would put her in with children (or adults for tha matter) as yet as she is just too exitable, and she shows the *sheepie trait* of jumping up to greet everyone if they want too or not  . But that will grow out i am sure, or i wil correct her behaviour when i feel the time is right.
But enjoy the dog when you get it home and have fun  |
| Hi,
I agree with Marianne, the OES seems to have an instinct for children or the elderly with special needs. At one year old, my Bam-Bam had become a regular at the nursing homes. He seem to take on an entirely different personality when around the elderly or small children. Whenever we are going into a special situation I whisper to him, we must be gentle and easy. He rolls his eyes as if he hears and understands and acts accordingly. A firm pull on his leash is all he needs if he gets to exicitable. They really do learn fast and the best way I found to deal with small children around him, was to have him lie down so that he is on their level and then allow them to pet him. He just does this automatically now, when small ones are near. Best of luck to you and your new pup and keep in mind up until about one year old it may seem like you will never get them to focus. They are just new to the world and full of happy uncapped excitement. Lots and Lots of love, pateince, and exercise will produce a very happy OES. Oh yes, not to be forgotten, ATTENTION, 24-7 |
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