Digging and Chewing
Thanks! Carla |
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| When you say "leader dog" what breed are you referring to?
A "leader dog" is a dog raised and trained to lead the blind, and in most cases are Labrador Retrievers. Comparing that breed to OES is like apples to oranges. Did you do the training in order for a dog to become a "leader dog" or just raise it until it was old enough to go through the intensive training? If not, why did you only have the dog a year? Most puppies have varying degrees of "bad habits" but are usually out of boredom, lack of training, improper training or lack of supervision and socialization. I would count on at least some things getting destroyed if you want to raise a pup though, it's just part of the package. No matter how careful and watchful you are, they are babies and they chew. It's up to you to keep watch, keep them safe, and keep them busy. 
Perhaps you should consider an adult dog? Or a cat? |
| Our leader dog puppy was a lab - we had her for a year to socialize her, as well as more "basic" training, before she went into her intensive training (6 months) after which she was placed with a blind woman. I realize that labs are notorious for both digging and chewing - I guess I was just wondering if the same was true for this breed. I know that puppies chew, and can live with a few things getting ruined I just hope it can be "unlearned" - nothing we did with the lab worked (even the trainers noted before she was placed that she was a chewer).
Quote: Perhaps you should consider an adult dog? Or a cat?
We are not cat people (major allergies) and really want a puppy - my daughter is planning on Junior Showmanship and would like to help train a puppy from the beginning (other than the chewing and digging, our L.D. was a WONDERFUL girl, and my daughter was a big part of training her). Carla |
wascross wrote: really want a puppy - my daughter is planning on Junior Showmanship and would like to help train a puppy from the beginning
Carla How old is your daughter? Keep in mind sheepies can get quite big. Mine is 93 lbs at a little over 18 mos. Being a herding breed they can go into a turbocharged mode ! Lots of power in that sheepie engine. I can tell you after owning two as an adult, training them consistantly from day one is essential. They are a commitment in terms of training and care, but the love and joy they bring is priceless. Is there a dog club near you where perhaps you could connect with someone who is now showing an OES? (My foggy recollection is that Bearded Collies are a little smaller in weight, another option) Perhaps you could do a test drive( of learning grooming requirements and handling)  |
| So glad you are doing the research before getting a dog.
So many people think, "Oh how cute", and then don't know what they are getting into. There is no perfect dog. No matter what the breed, an individual dog may have some bad habits. Mojo went through a chewing phase when he was teething. It didn't last long, and fortunately we had minimal damage! He has several big femur bones to chew on. As far as digging, he had one spot in the backyard that he loved to dig. I tried a trick I read on here. Fill the hole and place poop on it. Worked like a charm. So far no new holes. I think it is wonderful that you daughter wants to learn training and showmanship. I would highly recommend starting formal training immediately. Zahra was right about how strong they can be. At ten months Mojo is 90 pounds and a powerhouse. I don't want to discourage you from getting a sheepie but if you daughter is young or small a sheepie may be too much for her right now. |
A. Yager wrote: Zahra was right about how strong they can be. At ten months Mojo is 90 pounds and a powerhouse. I don't want to discourage you from getting a sheepie but if you daughter is young or small a sheepie may be too much for her right now.
Its really something as they grow, 20 lbs no problem with the leash walking 40 lbs managable 60 lbs strong puppy gait over 70 lbs-glad we went to puppy class and followed through on training!!!!!!!!!! Not surprising their job is to move herds of sheep. Of course, Bogart is a gentleman, he prefers herding snowflakes or leaves on windy days! |
| My daughter is 11 years old - so the size shouldn't be too much of a problem. We found a 4H group in our area that does Junior Showmanship, and our breeder has recommended an obedience teacher in our area as well. I homeschool my children, so we will have lots of time to commit to a puppy.
From all the research I've done, this seems to be the perfect breed for us - and we've met my puppy's "relatives" who all appear to be fairly laid back and VERY affectionate! Especially his mommy. I just started to read some of the older posts last night and got a little nervous. Going back again, I realize that there were only a few people doing all of the posting about digging and chewing, which makes me feel a little better, and I do realize that all puppies will chew. Our L.D. didn't chew much other than toys once we realized she had an excessive need to chew  - we literally went through one chew toy/day (if not more) - even the nylabones were no match for her! I think once we get closer to actually picking up our puppy, I'll have to get some chew toy recommendations.
Thank you all so much for the advice - I'm SURE I'll have more questions as I read more
Carla |
| Carla
Ask away. The more you know before your guy comes home the more comfortable you'll feel and the eaiser the transition for him. Our trainer started at 10 years old in 4-H. Now she is one of the top trainers in the state. She travels all over with her dogs doing demonstrations, works with special needs groups and has had some of her dogs in theatrical performances! Could be the begining of a great career for you daughter. |
| It is great that you are doing your research first, so many don't and then the dog ends up in rescue.
Being at home will be great help, I stayed home with each of my dogs for the first week or two. One thing to keep in mind is that many people find this forum because they've run into a problem or a concern, so their first posts are usually looking for help. There are lots of OES owners who haven't had any problems, and so they may take a little longer finding us. |
wascross wrote: My daughter is 11 years old - so the size shouldn't be too much of a problem. We found a 4H group in our area that does Junior Showmanship, and our breeder has recommended an obedience teacher in our area as well. I homeschool my children, so we will have lots of time to commit to a puppy.
Carla She'll do great ! 4H is a wonderful program, it will be a great experience for her. Do you have a fenced in yard? Thats an important consideration too. Ron has been terrific providing the forum, many of us learned on the job years ago. There were not many sheepies in my area back then. Hope our suggestions are helpful. (Of course we will want pictures, both at show and home playing! ) |
| We don't have a fenced yard - which was the first concern I had in choosing a breed (though I've wanted an OES since I was young). I've read that these dogs, because they are herding dogs, stick close to the family. We most likely wouldn't be letting the dog go outside without us. When he is a little older, we will probably build some kind of run. We've considered invisible fencing, but are a little concerned about some of the things we've read (burns, etc.). |
wascross wrote: We don't have a fenced yard - which was the first concern I had in choosing a breed (though I've wanted an OES since I was young). I've read that these dogs, because they are herding dogs, stick close to the family. We most likely wouldn't be letting the dog go outside without us. When he is a little older, we will probably build some kind of run. We've considered invisible fencing, but are a little concerned about some of the things we've read (burns, etc.).
Don't count on them staying close to you, they are easily distracted by moving objects and often ignore recall once engaged. We just added a fenced in area to our property, I was not a fan of invisible fence for our needs. But I've known other folks who like them and it works well in their circumstance. If you have a dog park nearby, that is another option for exercise. |
| Digging and chewing appears to be big in some breeds, like labs , and not so big in others. What I would suggest is you set down some ground rules before the pup comes home and be consistent. Supervise, supervise and supervise. Get some chew things he enjoys, and those are the only things he's allowed to chew.What you might want to do is teach the "off" command from the very beginning, so that if you do catch the pup with some illegal chew thing he will drop it immediately, so there is not fight or chase for it. This is something your daughter can teach him (or her). Have the pup standing or sitting or laying down. Do NOT ask him to do anyting like sit, or down or anything, and do not have a leash or any kind of restraint. Do not touch him at all during this excercie, and the only two words you sue are "off" and :"take it" (or whatever words you wnat to use). Put a tasty, smelly treat in your fist, stick it in front of your pup, and don't move your hand. Just say "off" a couple of times, and as soon as the pup moves its head away, or looks away or sits or anything other than pay attention to the treat you immediately say "take it" and open the hand. Do this over and over until your pup moves AWAY from your hand when you say "off". Then you can graduate to just covering the treat with your thumb, and start over. He will lick and sniff etc, but don't move your hand while you say "off". Finally he will give up and as soon as it moves away or looks away (preferably at you) you immediately let him have the treat and say "take it". Once he has this reliable 90% of the time you can graduate to an open hand, then to on the floor, etc. NEVER let the dog get the treat before you say "take it", Don't scold of punish if he does, as it is your fault for moving too quickly ahead. You must wait until you are very confident in his control. You will be teaching him "off" means to move away and look at you for a treat, and you will be teaching him "permission" to take a treat "take it". There will be no fights and you dog will happily give up anything he has. Once he has this down you can teach him "off" and give him a treat from your other hand, so that he does not get used to getting whatever it is that he had in the first place, back. Send me a private message if you have any problems.
As for the digging, as you do not have a fenced yard he will not have the opportunelty to be out alone, digging. Many people create a special place for their digers to release their energy, and put bones and toys in that area, so that they only dig in one spot. Do not keep him tethered up, as this will cause a lot of stress and he may develope behavioral problems. As for your trainer, make sure they use only positive methods, and you are asked to do anything that will hurt or scare your puppy. Have fun! |
| Wow! Thanks for the lesson - I've copied it and will print it for our puppy file! |
| My first oes was a digger, and nothing I tried worked to break the habit, so after a few years I simply built her her own sandbox and trained her to dig there. It worked and saved the rest of the yard. |
Quote: My first oes was a digger, and nothing I tried worked to break the habit, so after a few years I simply built her her own sandbox and trained her to dig there. It worked and saved the rest of the yard.
I really like that idea - we did it for the kids - why not the dog? |
| I was lucky. My dogs weren't diggers, except for the two holes they dug under a bush to lay in. They scraped the surface of them occassionaly to cool the ground off, but that was the extent of it.
Then right before my last two girls went to their new homes I caught them both with their noses in 2 new holes in the middle of the yard. I was not a happy mamma. After all these years, why did you have to start that now, now that you were going to your new home. 
When I went out to run them away I found another two holes. I was really unhappy about that. As I was about to scrape the dirt back into these 4 small holes I realized that my dogs "did not" start them. They had got caught with their noses in the holes and had clawed at the holes, but they were only "investigating" them. The culprit that started them was a MOLE. After I filled them in and smashed the dirt flat the dogs left the holes alone. A few days later when the mole used that tunnel again the holes were back. So, maybe our diggers didn't just decide to dig up the yard, maybe they were enticed by "unseen" critters. |
| Abby dug a hole under my deck, in about 5 seconds, I was standing on the deck wondering what the heck she was doing and looked under, and she had dug a huuuge hole. I think the moles might be the issue here too, I found a dead one in the yard a couple of days ago. YUCK |
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