should I rethink getting an OES??
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| haha!
my oes ate the drywall every single day for about a month when he was a puppy. he also ate dirt, my shoes, grass, pens, and on several occassions my homework. the good news: they grow out of it! all puppies eat stuff and do naughty puppy things, it is definitely not breed specific. if you are worried about your puppy destroying the house you can crate them when they are alone and watch them very carefully when you are home with them. or better yet, adopt an older dog who went through their puppy/chewing phase already! |
Plus not all puppies, of any breed, are that destructive. I've been fairly lucky with my oes.... crate training is a great idea for any pup IMO  |
delia8 wrote: should I rethink getting an OES?? YES!
OES are great dogs! Fun, joyful, playful, youthful puppies until the age of 8 or 9! But puppies are puppies, and these puppies are BIG puppies! So compared to, say, a poodle, they are going to do a lot more damage. Plus they are taller, and can reach higher things to damage, so it's harder to dog-proof your home! Or puppy proof your home! But I andwer "yes" to your question as to whether you should rethink getting a puppy... we should ALL think twice before we enter into a 15 year, $20,000 commitment*. *A puppy can cost $1500, plus: vet trips twice a year ($200) food $40/month ($480) grooming $75 every 2 months ($450) toys ($50) $1180 x 15 years = $17,700 + $1,500 = $19,200 |
Ha Ha, that was my post delia8, and she WAS a naughty puppy. I have had OES for a long time with no problems but she was the exception in destruction. She grew out of it and we learnt to confine her as a pup when we went out. Don't let me put you off an OES, but they are a large breed and you really have to think about if they are the size and type you want, also they are a high maintenace breed also, do you have the time for that?, they are a wonderful breed and so loving and loyal, and as with all puppies they do go through a stage when they chew everything in sight, teething!! Stacey has the best solution, you learn to crate them and that way no destruction when you are not with them. Wish I knew about crate training back then as it was nearly 11 years ago, it was the laundry where we put her when we went out and it was the laundry that suffered  |
| Excellent breakdown Ron.... just don't let my hubby see that! LOL
I'd say you way underestimatedo n toys! Plus collars, leashes, food bowls, water bowls etc.... Not to mention grooming tools!!! |
| Hey, it was just a quick estimate... But you're right of course! |
LOL, we've been lucky with ours. He hasn't chewed on anything but the kids a couple of times.  |
| Wow, $20,000 to raise a puppy, don't tell my husband that!!
My first OES pup chewed up everything (drywall, wallpaper, kitchen chairs, pillows). My second OES pup chewed nothing except maybe a few rolls of toilet paper. All luck of the draw.... |
Holy Cow! 
That is a lot of $$$ Almost cheaper to have another child. Did I just say that? Oh Lordy! Plus I alreay have the collars and leashes 
Shellie |
Shellie wrote: Holy Cow!
That is a lot of $$$ Almost cheaper to have another child. Did I just say that? Oh Lordy! Plus I alreay have the collars and leashes Shellie For another child?  |
| When Maggie was younger we kept her in the kitchen when we weren't home. She managed to eat all the floorboards (those panels that run along the flooron the wall...not the actual floor!) and then she learned how to get into the trash can. We got a new trash can that she couldn't get into and sadly, 7 years later, the floorboards are still chewed up!
Barney, my dog, has been better about the chewing. He hated the crate (excessive drooling, barking, peeing) so we have just left him in the kitchen while we're out. The only thing he's done is we have a kitchen island made of wood and it had 3 wooden pegs on the side where you could hang a kitchen towel -- and now we only have 2 pegs, but that was in his first few weeks... |
| Hmmmm, I must be doing something wrong. Neither Baxter or Cassiopia have eaten parts of the house....yet. Of course if I'm silly enough to leave any food available where they can reach it - well that's different.
Jennifer, Baxter, Cassiopia and Sharkey |
| We've been really fortunate with Bailey too. He gnawed on some of the base molding, but it was easily fixed and we sprayed it with Bitter Apple which seems to have stopped the damage. No damage to furniture or walls. In fact, my only complaint is that he's discovered the joy of digging in the garden, usually when I'm working and don't have time to clean him up. We'll be fencing that garden in shortly... |
| The good thing about having a sheepdog that chews furniture is after they are gone you can get all sentimental when you see the teethmarks. I still get choked up when I look at our nice oak coat stand where Newman left his mark. |
| I knew absolutely nothing about OES when we got Truman. It was one of those instances when ignorance was bliss! I will say we were very lucky that he was/is in good health and good condition as his initial home wasn't what I would consider the best situation. He was 4 months old when we got him and he had not had any puppy shots, worming, etc. All that said, he has been an exceptionally good dog. He has only chewed up a few things (pens, a tube of mascara - that was fun....NOT, reading glasses and the inserts from shoes). On the whole, he really hasn't been destructive. Our house is still intact! |
| I never had problems with my dog eatting through dry wall or eatting up the floors because she was in the room with me the whole time... and I watched her all the time to make sure she didn't. It's nice to come here and find out all the fun stuff OES can do to your house - so YOU can prevent it later. I'm sure if I hadn't been apart of their forum that my house would have been mince meat too.
My advice: Get a dog crate for the times you cannot be with her and when she is sleepy. Make sure she doesn't leave the room you are in and everything should be fine. So far she has only destroyed a few socks, an expensive bra and a posterboard (all of which were destroyed when I wasn't home and my idiot brother's let her out without watching). |
| I did have a cocker spaniel when I was little who ate through a wall and my Dad's favorite lazy boy chair. |
| Louie didn't eat the walls or floors.
But then again-none of our tables have corners anymore. |
| Barney learned very quickly that some things he liked to chew became seasoned with cayenne pepper. |
George wrote: Barney learned very quickly that some thi ngs he liked to chew became seasoned with cayenne pepper.
LOL...mine liked the taste of the cayenne, we seasoned the outside stairs for them...they outgrew it. Inside the house the only damage was the weather striping around the door, it was already coming loose. Oh and the wooden dining chairs, since they had spindle between the legs it was an easy teething ring...but all our puppies liked that not OES specific. I've never had a dog chew up walls tho. My cousin has a Pomeranian, that would chew the lino under the cupboards until he ripped enough they were forced to pay damages when they moved. This was also a dog that was trained to pee into a litter box...he is a smart dog, but LOVES to chew, and he's 6 years old now. |
| We adopted Samantha at 6 months not knowing too much about the breed. She is a wonderful dog and really not into trouble. She doesn't counter surf, open the fridge or cabinets or chew on furniture. She does take shoes and my son's soccer shin guards outside.....
Her worse habit is eating Kleenex and dryer sheets...  |
Deskwench wrote: I knew absolutely nothing about OES when we got Truman. It was one of those instances when ignorance was bliss!
Same thing here. Good thing we lived on a rented house and the furniture belonged to the landlord who lived on a land, faaaaar, far away. When we said we were moving he sold everything no nobody knew Lennon chewed all the tables, sofas and beds. He outgrew it and now he only chews on a small plaster wall.
Sofa was very destructive when we got her, she ate trough Danita's whole collection of sandals, no pair was left without chewing. We also taught her no to chew on things and now she's a great dog. |
Ron wrote: delia8 wrote: should I rethink getting an OES?? YES!OES are great dogs! Fun, joyful, playful, youthful puppies until the age of 8 or 9! But puppies are puppies, and these puppies are BIG puppies! So compared to, say, a poodle, they are going to do a lot more damage. Plus they are taller, and can reach higher things to damage, so it's harder to dog-proof your home! Or puppy proof your home! But I andwer "yes" to your question as to whether you should rethink getting a puppy... we should ALL think twice before we enter into a 15 year, $20,000 commitment*. *A puppy can cost $1500, plus: vet trips twice a year ($200) food $40/month ($480) grooming $75 every 2 months ($450) toys ($50) $1180 x 15 years = $17,700 + $1,500 = $19,200 well put. |
| These guys are a handful and you'll have a 2 year old toddler that walks on a furry suit for a looong time, but one look from their face and you forget all the mischef they've done.
If you are ready to have a furry dog with a super computer for a brain, always looking for the next mischef when they are not sleeping at your feet or guarding the bathroom door when you are in it, then go for it. Once you go OES, you'll never go back. |
saulmr wrote: If you are ready to have a furry dog with a super computer for a brain, always looking for the next mischef when they are not sleeping at your feet or guarding the bathroom door when you are in it, then go for it. Once you go OES, you'll never go back.
I think Clyde only got the Atari 2600 brain but I agree with the rest! |
ButtersStotch wrote: saulmr wrote: If you are ready to have a furry dog with a super computer for a brain, always looking for the next mischef when they are not sleeping at your feet or guarding the bathroom door when you are in it, then go for it. Once you go OES, you'll never go back. I think Clyde only got the Atari 2600 brain but I agree with the rest! Jill - you crack me up!  |
At least Clyde can play Space Invaders and PacMan in his head...  |
| Ron's cost breakdown is great but I'd like to point out that his Vet cost is applicable to a healthy dog. If you are unfortunate enough to have a dog with chronic helath problem the Vet expense can soar. I am sure that my average vet cost per year is close to $1,000. Just recently I added up the "routine" vet expense for Ty's first six months (including neutering) and I have spent over $500.00 for "well puppy" visits. My vet is not high priced either. But, I consider it the best money I ever spent |
saulmr wrote: If you are ready to have a furry dog with a super computer for a brain, always looking for the next mischef when they are not sleeping at your feet or guarding the bathroom door when you are in it, then go for it. Once you go OES, you'll never go back.
GUARDING THE BATHROOM DOOR??? Hmmmmm I miss read that section in the "how to book" I thought they always had to acompany you into the bathroom |
barney1 wrote: At least Clyde can play Space Invaders and PacMan in his head...
Be careful... ours got online last week and downloaded the upgrade to a PS2 |
barney1 wrote: At least Clyde can play Space Invaders and PacMan in his head...
I actually laughed out loud after reading that because it would explain so much. He always has this very thoughtful, yet dopey look. You know, the same look as when you're playing a video game? All the mysteries have been answered! |
| That is true, I based that on just a couple of vet visits a year. I know we spent about $1000 on blood work trying to diagnose Jakes Sertoli tumor, and about $1,200 or $1,500 for the surgery. We spent $40 twice a week on accupunture for a while, and medicines weren't all that cheap, either.
I was just going lowball on the amounts, I guess. |
| important to remember that the first year includes at least 6 vet visits (initial inspection visit[required in many states], first distemper, second, first rabies, lyme [if you're anywhere there's ticks], various checkups and scares [which every first time owner gets constantly]) |
| Don't forget the trips in the annual expenses: Philly Picnic, Sheepiefest |
| And of cource the sheepie paraphenalia...like hats, bandanas, cards, shirts, bumper stickers, mugs, calendars, portraits, blankets...and then some sheepie things for you, too |
| Ha Ha Ha, those people ones seem to mutiply all around the house over the years. Any shelves, benches etc etc left for a sheepie ornament, NOPE |
| Hi,
I would say that if you are afraid of damage to your home, I would consider a stuffed animal instead. I've only had one OES out of eight that hasn't done damage to our home and puppies are puppies with all breeds of dogs. zach |
| well as you can see in my other post.. Idecided Iwasn't that attatched to my home, my clothes, my limbs (LOL).. It all seems worth it!! Wish me luck!! And in the meantime I will be lurking and reading posts in preperatiopn for our new addition! |
| I would say that if you are afraid of damage to your home, I would consider a stuffed animal instead. I've only had one OES out of eight that hasn't done damage to our home and puppies are puppies with all breeds of dogs.
... and the one that didn't do damage to Zach's house ended up with us. He's doing quite well eating OUR walls, furniture, cabinets, etc. Bue we love him and wouldn't give him back for anything! |
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| Glad to hear it. They are a wonderful family member and I wouldn't give mine up for anything.
Best of luck and best wishes with your new addition!! Zach |
| Is there anything you can spray on skirting or table legs that stops them chewing it, I came home last night and Ollie had a go at one of the walls - my husband went beserk, of course it doesn't bother me, it can be replaced when he's older and hey,. who cleans the house ME, who moans about it not ME - going off on a tangent here LOL so anyone know of anything ?? |
| Try Grannic's Bitter Apple. That usually keeps them from chewing. Unless he actually likes the taste like some sheepies do! LOL |
| Bitter Apple can be found at petsmart. It keeps my cats from chewing on things, but Barney likes the taste (or wants to chew enough that he'll ignore the taste...) He chews on his paws (thankfully not the house or furniture) so when I spray it on him he just gets up and moves away from me, then sits down and keeps chewing
You could try something like tabasco sauce or vinegar dabbed onto things (obviously not things that could get stained)... |
| Bitter Apple works for us on the indoor stuff. However - Bailey has recently developed a gardening habit. Any suggestions on how to stop the digging, other than fences? Or is it just part of being a sheepie? |
| Umm. Hogtying?
Just kidding-- mostly. Clyde never dug until Lucy showed him how she likes to dig holes to lie in to stay cool in the summer. He thought that looked cool and didn't really care that the dirt stuck to him, unlike Lucy! I put some mesh gratng over some of the favorite spots and kept an eye on him for awhile and discouraged him when he got close again. Of course we have snow now and that took care of the problem completely! |
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