New Sheepie
I am enjoying the first week with my 8 week old sheepie, Oliver. Any advise regarding early training would be greatly appriciated. He is going through the puppy biting every finger and toe he can find stage. I am feeding him Pro Plan for big dogs. Any opinions on this dog food? |
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| Oliver's Dad,
Welcome and Congrats on your new sheepie! Love the name - my last sheepie's name was Oliver - he was my BABY! 
Anyway, I would recommend enrolling Oliver in a positive reinforcement training class. It will be great for the both of you! He's not too young to start puppy school (I think they can start at 10 weeks or so) - and it will give you a great connection - while learning some puppy manners. Plus, he'll get to socialize with other puppies (which will be great for him in his development). Make sure Oliver gets plenty of exercise (not over exhurted at this age but.....) - a tired puppy is a good puppy! Give him toys, bones etc. to keep him away from fingers and toes! When he "nips" - loudly say OUCH! and ignore him (don't give him any attention - negative or positive) - and he'll learn that's not acceptable. Never use punishment as a training method - it can backfire! Praise and treats - that's the way I would go! I recommend crate training - when you're not home and/or at night - keeps them safe and out of trouble - while it helps with housebreaking as well! You also want to make sure that he is well socialized - expose him to life - noises, people, places, other animals, CAR rides, thunderstorms, etc. - at his age - he's developing those socialization skills. He'll grow up to be a wonderful - well adjusted and happy sheepie! Last but not least, give him plenty of LOVE - and you will be all set! Good Luck! Kristen (Brittney, Presley and Sydney) |
| Congratulations on Oliver! Must be super cute as they all are at this age.
When Oliver was with his siblings and played too rough, his littermates gave a little yelp which would clue him in to stop biting so hard or else mom would come over to investigate. If Oliver bites you using his razor sharp puppy teeth- you can do several things, Yelp is the universal language that he would understand and then a command - No bite. Remember NEVER say his name when you are upset, as doggies start associating their names with a bad thing. ALWAYS offer a better replacement besides your hands or toes...he'll get the idea really quick what's acceptable to chew. Another thing to remember, is in the wild mom wolf would bring in sticks for teething pups - so whatever you leave on the floor is fair game as they think you left it there for them to chew. How nice of you! ha ha! There's been several post in the past on what best to feed pups and as long as it's good quality food it shouldn't matter. However, these boys/girls have hip displaysia in their genetics (parents are usually checked by reputable breeders) but it's better to keep them on a lean side when they get older to prevent stress on joints. As long as you are feeding him Pro Plan PUPPY FOOD. Puppy food contains more proteins and nutrients for his fast little growing puppy body unlike regular dog food. Give him lots of chewie bones for his growing teeth and toys for him to play with. Toilet Training is the same as training a child. Lots of work in the beginning and most pups can only hold it 2- 4hrs hrs at 8 wks. He still needs lots of water so don't with hold that from him but take him outside and lots of praise when he does go. He'll have a few accidents but don't be upset with him...it's not his fault it's the humans for not taking him out. Good puppy!!! when he does go...he eventually understands this too. Expose his to lots of noises and things in the neighborhood when he is young which will impact him for life, expose him to other dogs once all his shots are complete at 12 wks. Don't know if you have children or not..but it's like teaching a child to tie their shoelaces at a young age..you keep at it and eventually your life is made so much easier when they can do it for themselves. Kinda like a puppy..whatever you teach them now takes a lot of time in the beginning but makes life so much easier in the long run. Lastly, what's cute now at 8 wks may not be so cute when they are 100 pounds or so. Sigh took me 6 dogs to finally get that one. :O) Good Luck with Oliver and can't wait to see pics!!! Marianne |
| Congrats on your new boy, Oliver! I LOVE that name!
The only thing that I would add to the excellent advice already given is-- *Try your best not to carry him around too much. Trust me on this one--If you carry him around, let him sit on your lap in the car, hold him in your lap in a chair, etc ... he will expect the same thing when he is 90 lbs. It's just not so 'cute' then. And he won't understand if he gets in trouble later for things he was allowed to do as a puppy. * Get yourself some Nature's Miracle (or similar product) for potty accidents. * Don't give him things like old socks or shoes to chew on. Dogs can't differentiate between old and new ... and then trouble starts. * TRY to teach him to 'potty' in one area. Your grass will love you for it. * If he has an accident in the house, wipe it up with paper towel and move the paper towels to the area you want him to use. (poop or pee towels) * I like to give them a word to associate going to the bathroom with. I use the words, "go potty" when teaching. Then when it's time to go in the car, or if I have to crate a dog, I can take them outside first, say. "go potty" and they know to empty their bladder. I'll admit my neighbors must thing I'm looney saying "go potty" to a dog,  but ...
*Fingers and toes are definately 'no no's'. Follow the other advice given in this regard. I also use 'no bite' after a squeal. Then give the pup something that is OK to chew on that is better for his teeth and easier on the toes! 
Happy Puppy Parenting! Do you have pics? Do you have other pets at home?? |
| I thank all of you for the great advice. Oliver is a wonderful puppy. This is my first "inside" pet. I always had St. Bernards That loved staying outdoors. So this is a big transition for both ollie and me. We are at a 76% successful potty training routine.
I am also planning to take him to my school. I am an elementary school principal and thought that the kids would really enjoy him. Is this a good idea? I would appreciate any thoughts. I would love to post his picture, but I don't quite have the grasp of how this works yet. If any of you have an Apple G4 and can walk me through it, I would love to show you all just how darn cute he is. |
| Congrats on your new puppy! I have a bird named Oliver, so I too love the name.. and i think its very cute for a sheepie.
I think its a really good idea to take your sheepie to school with you, I think exposing your puppy to as many new things as possible is really important to their socialization. I took my first sheepie to school with me for show and tell once and he was a hit! Im sure the kids will love him, and he'd probably have a ball playing with them and getting all that attention. as far as posting a picture, you have to have it uploaded to a website befor eyou can post it. try www.picturetrail.com its really easy to upload your pictures and makes for a nice website. then just post a link to the picture (right click and drag to properties and youll find the link) in the image tags. (if that made no sense sorry, im sure someone like ron would be more help) good luck with your puppy!! |
Bringing Oliver to school would be a wonderful idea, presuming all of the children know their manners around puppies and dogs. 
I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for you to teach the children some basic people obedience training ... Some dog bite prevention ... etc. I have observed that many children do not know how to properly approach/greet a strange dog, and I presume also have no idea what to do should a strange dog go after them. (whether the dog's intentions are to play or to attack) While out on walks with my dogs, I have observed that many children run up to my dogs to pet or play BEFORE they ever ask, "Is your dog friendly?" "May I pet your dog?" etc ... You could give the kids a little lesson in approaching a strange dog, make up a take home sheet, and later in the week, or the following week, bring in Oliver! (Sorry! Not trying to make this sound like a homework assignment!  Just a suggestion ...)
Teaching some basic people obedience would help the children and keep Oliver safe at the same time. Maybe if the children are properly trained, Oliver could be an annual visitor!
Here is a link you might find helpful! http://www.dogsandkids.ca/default.htm Grace |
| At the elementary school where I work, there are dogs around all the time. The Principal has a therapy dog, Maggie (Newfoundland), a 3rd grade teacher has a therapy dog, Jackie Chan (Japanese Chin), a SPED teacher has a therapy dog, Dare (black Lab) and we have a puppy in training, Kona (also a black Lab). The kids love the dogs and they are helpful in reaching some of the kids who have behavior problems. We also incorporate dogs in our reading program "TerWOOFic Readers" and I make "dog cards" with pictures of dog breeds and information about the breed. We made dog cards using staff members' dogs and the kids loved them. It's also an incentive to read as they have to complete a weekly contract to read 20 minutes each night to earn a dog card and a visit from Maggie (who brings treats to the class with the most participants). Anyway, to get back to the point, I think taking Oliver to school is a good idea. One thing you might want to check out - does your district have any policy regarding therapy dogs? I know ours does and the dogs have to complete a comprehensive program and pass various tests before becoming certified. Good luck with Oliver! |
| just a question- do any of the parents complain about having dogs in school? or do any kids with allergies have to leave when they come in?
when i was growing up we always had dogs come in for show and tell and what not but when i moved in middle school dogs werent allowed because of allergy reasons. |
| What a walk down memory lane! "Show and Tell"
We used to be able to bring any pet we had for "Show and Tell." It was GREAT! Dogs, cats, bunnies, an occasional floating fish ... My kids were never able to bring in a pet for "Show and Tell" for allergy reasons either. 
We also used to bring in "home-made" cupcakes for our Birthday! They can't do that anymore either ... 
Those were the days ... |
grace wrote: We also used to bring in "home-made" cupcakes for our Birthday! They can't do that anymore either ...
Those were the days ... OMGoodness... Is it no homemade food in school? Or you can't share? Or you can't share with the whole class? Or just a birthday thing? Do you know the exact reasoning for this? Possible food allergies? Paranoia? :sigh: |
| Ron,
LoL!
I think it's a little of each. The children can bring in treats for their birthday as long as it's from the bakery or the candy store. Nothing home-made. I think it's more of a Health Dept issue. The state wants a label on any shared food items. (allergies?) Perhaps for sanitary purposes. ?? Although my kids eat school lunch! 
I sent my kids with bakery cookies for birthdays. Some kids bring candy bars, etc ... They're missing out on all the home made brownies, cakes and Rice Krispie treats! (my personal favorite! ) |
| Oh! And sharing or trading is OK -- as long as the lunch lady doesn't catch you! My son got in trouble for that one a couple times. The food always looks better on someone else's plate! |
| So far we haven't had any complaints from parents about the dogs nor have we had problems with kids being allergic. Maybe we've just been lucky. Once in a while one of the kids is afraid of Maggie, the Newfoundland, when they first see her - probably because of her size. She's 140 lbs. She's big, true, but she's also the most laid back dog I've ever seen. She flops down on the floor and rolls over on her back to let you pet her tummy. She loves the kids and they love her too.
Speaking of bringing treats to classmates on birthdays: Some kids still bring homemade cookies or cupcakes. During holidays, we get flooded with all kinds of homemade goodies. I guess the old time traditions are still alive and well here in the Midwest! |
| I think when he is young it's a great idea to bring Oliver to school...before that horrible 4-5 month age when they seem to be everywhere and into everything. I also work at an elementary school and brought Merlin when he was still a furry little fuzzball and slept most of the day. Bringing him back a few months later..still a fuzzball but soooo much bigger shocked everyone at his size. But hense since you are the Big Kahuna at work..you are allowed to make the rules and I would bring him!!
At our school some of the children had life threatening allergies...peanuts so I always had to check lunches to make sure one particular classroom didn't bring any products with peanuts contained in the recipe. Amazing how many products do when you read the packaging. (I'm the first aid person at my school.) Most kids with fur allergies would be okay as long as they didn't touch the puppy or me I guess as my clothes often have fur on them..not from my Sheepies but from my lab or cats. Kinda have to laugh when a young child notices I have "furry legs" and I was wearing black tights at the time...ha ha! |
Jeez Grace, beurocracy gone mad 
Still its getting just as bad here in the UK
Oh Congrats on your new Sheepie Olivers Dad, best damn gift you will ever have, the adoration of a Sheepie. Mine 8 months old now and VERY energetic.......Leaps, nips a little still, and generally full of beans. Charicter-a-plenty |
We have the store bought policy here also. I have been given two reasons for this one is because of food allergys and the other is that the homemade food may be poorly prepared and cause illness in the kids. I have heard of people making things and then sending them in boxes from a store. I think it also may be that people are just to busy or lazy to make anything anymore and do not want to be showed up by the ones who can mke the goodies. It is easier to grab a box of something then it is to make it.  |
| My neice's class was asked NOT to bring in any "peanut butter" - even to eat themselves - because of a severe allergy of one of the classmates! Now, I know Peanut allergies can be bad - but I didn't realize that it could affect them by looking at or smelling the peanut butter - I think that's going a little overboard!
I supposed these new rules do away with Bake Sales too??? |
BritPresSyd wrote: Now, I know Peanut allergies can be bad - but I didn't realize that it could affect them by looking at or smelling the peanut butter - I think that's going a little overboard!
The airlines have stopped distributing peanuts on flights these days and now give out pretzels or "party mix" because peanut allergies. I actually was on a flight about a year ago and saw the woman in front of me get out of control crazy when the came around with the drink cart and bags of peanuts because she claimed she had called the airline and told them not to give out bags of peanuts on our flight b/c of her allergy. |
Quote: I actually was on a flight about a year ago and saw the woman in front of me get out of control crazy when the came around with the drink cart and bags of peanuts because she claimed she had called the airline and told them not to give out bags of peanuts on our flight b/c of her allergy.
Sounds like she made it a pleasant flight for everyone. A simple, "No thank you, do you have another choice?" would have been nice ...
Can peanut allergy sufferers have a reaction if they breathe in the peanut aroma?  I hate to be too hard on someone if that were the case. |
| I'd stay away from those popular brand names of dog food... these dog foods have a ton of corn (cheap filler) and by-products. Many dogs are allergic to corn, too! I fed my dog a similar brand of food for years because I thought it was the best (heavily advertised). Now my food is toenail, beak, and hair free. When in doubt, read the label!
A good medium grade food would be Nutro, which has a large breed formula with the glucosamine and chondroitin, or Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul. No wheat, no corn, no soy, which are the three most common dog food allergens. High grade foods (aka human grade) would be Wellness, Natural Balance, and Innova. You want a food that does not use Lamb fat, is by-product free, does not contain meat and bone meal (aka roadkill), has plenty of vegetables in it... I like the Chicken Soup because it is reasonable, and has carrots, apples, peas, cranberry, yucca... |
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