Any advice for a lifeless sheltie?
I recently, like a week ago, rescued a sheltie from a woman near my home. She was selling him due to the fact "he needed more attention than she could give". I was told he was around 6 and she had taken him in from a different lady that found him a few months ago. He had been shaven down due to the extreme matting of his coat. He was in a backyard pen with larger dog all around him. When I picked up his shot records from the vet it listed him as 7. He has now been brought inside, given excellent food, on heartworm and flea meds, and spent a day at the spa. The groomer estimated an age of 12 not 6 or 7. I was hoping to make this animal happy, but he does NOTHING. And I mean nothing. He will go outside when I put him on a leash, but other than that NOTHING. He does wag his tail sometimes. But that is totally it. Is it old age? Depression? Scarred for life? He has an appointment to be neutered on Monday, but I honestly don’t think he could make it threw it. I need your advice sheltie owners.
I would first have him thoroughly checked by a vet. For all you know the dog may have a serious undiagnosed health problem which may be part of his problem. A problem like heartworms could make him feel unwilling to do much except mope and a low thyroid can change a dog’s personality drastically. Also, for dogs that have not had good interactions with people it can take months or even years for them to begin to form a relationship with a human. There is a yahoo group called troubled shelties that helps owners who have gotten rescued shelties and they might be a place to get some answers.
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This dog is probably hurt from past owners. He’s not reacting to anything because in with his old owner, he never got anything he wanted. Now, he doesn’t know what to do, what to think, and how to respond to anything. Don’t become frustrated wit him, he’s had a hard past. Try to get him out there by taking him to a dog park or a doggie day care so he can socialize with other dogs. Maybe that will help him get back to what he used to be like when he was a puppy. He is an old dog, though, if he’s twelve. So, maybe he has also just lost all energy. Try whatever works.
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It’s probably all three. Get him neutered, it’s the right thing to do. Then, after a few days of recovery, keep giving him the happy home he deserves to have after all this trauma. One week isn’t enough, and he probably thinks his home is temporary.
Vets can estimate age by the dog’s teeth, so ask when you bring him how old they really think he is. Also tell them what the poor thing’s been like and advice for making him healthy and giving him a good home. It does take at least three months of good care (including the healthy food you’re giving him) to turn health issues around, and more time after that to get him to trust that he won’t be abandoned again. Stick with him, I’ll bet it pays off for you with a great companion.
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Firstly I must tell you that you are a very good person taking so much interest in a dog and rescuing him . You will have good Karma even if you don’t believe in Karma you are still a very good person. Remember time is the best healer. This dog you have is probably never beem given ANY attention you have to continue what your doing he will get better. Maybe buy him some toy’s try and get his attention be very patient with him. Don’t be aggressive be assertive remember this dog is use to being treated badly you should give him as much love as possible times 2 .
Good Luck
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Me.
Aww, poor thing. I agree with the first answer. The dog is probably scared from past owners. If he is old, you should ask the vets that you believe he is 12. He is rather old. But if he is that age, he is probably tired, and sleepy. You should take him on short walks to make sure he has plenty of exercise. You should also show him that he has no need to be scared of you are teach him to play around in the backyard.
My old Chi is like that, she is gonna be 7, but she is so fragile now. Hope this helps!
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The same problem with my Chi, but I can relate to what you are thinking.
This poor dog is probably depressed. He has had at least four owners, been moved around many times, was caged up with a strange dog, and had all his fur shaved off within a few months!
Take your time with him and let him settle in. Slow and steady is the way to win him over. He probably has not been played with or cared for in a long time. You might want to try one of those dog toys that you can put treats in. Most dogs love those and it keeps them busy. Also, walk him a few times a day, if possible, to get him moving.
I would hold off on having him neutered until he settles in more. He will need a lot of attention after the operation because of his age and his poor health.
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I have a Sheltie who is 10 years old, and is very calm. He’s got energy, and can be very playful when the mood strikes (or when I start to play) but otherwise is perfectly happy relaxing or sitting on my lap.
Ask the vet’s opinion about having him neutered–let her judge how safe it is. He’ll probably be just fine, as long as you are patient with him. I will tell you that my boy is not neutered and does not mark in the house-but this is not true of all dogs, so neutering is a good idea.
Shelties are very loving, docile dogs, that thrive on human attention. They can become attached to one person or one family, and aren’t one of those breeds that does well being shuffled around from person to person a whole lot (though its not good for any dog). Chances are that being in a new home, in addition to being ignored in his previous home are the big problems here. He’s adjusting–to a new home, and to a new routine.
Thank you for rescuing this poor dog. Trust me, you won’t be sorry
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I would first have him thoroughly checked by a vet. For all you know the dog may have a serious undiagnosed health problem which may be part of his problem. A problem like heartworms could make him feel unwilling to do much except mope and a low thyroid can change a dog’s personality drastically. Also, for dogs that have not had good interactions with people it can take months or even years for them to begin to form a relationship with a human. There is a yahoo group called troubled shelties that helps owners who have gotten rescued shelties and they might be a place to get some answers.
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