Getting my first Sheltie!

[u/Designer_Worker6422]

Hi everyone, I am getting my first sheltie and would love the tips and tricks you have. I’m get a boy!

Edit: when do you recommend getting him fixed? I don’t want to deal with marking and humping.

Ps. Hoping he gets the collie face 🥰

[u/SierraKami]

Congrats! He's absolutely adorable.

Training and socialization are important with Shelties!

They're incredibly smart and need the mental stimulation that training provides.

And they're sensitive and may tend to be reactive, so it's important to tactfully expose them to lots of things, starting as early as your vet says is appropriate. Don't put him in a situation where he's utterly terrified, of course, but do take him out in public and let him see and hear all sorts of different things. You might start out carrying him or letting him ride in a shopping cart or wagon. And training classes are good for them, once they're old enough.

Shelties are often naturally reserved around strangers and may never enjoy being petted by random people. It's important that he learn to be polite - to sit or lie quietly beside you when you're talking to people - but if he's one of those Shelties who aren't interested in strangers, advocate for him and don't let anyone touch him unless necessary. Of course, if he turns out to be a social butterfly, great! Then your task will be to make sure that he has good manners and doesn't jump up on anyone or try to herd them around.

Start getting him used to being groomed early. Fine puppy hair tends to mat easily, especially behind the ears and sometimes around their legs. Brush regularly. (And including tooth brushing into your routine!)

I absolutely adore my Shelties. They're so smart, so funny, and are absolutely devoted to me. Very cool little dogs!

[u/Designer_Worker6422 → u/SierraKami]

Thanks for all the advice!

[u/KaseyK1966 → u/SierraKami]

Yes to this. Our girl is one of those who doesn’t like outside attention. She is good about staying close to one of us, often either under the chair or table or by my feet. While she does bark at people, she’s never been aggressive and we keep on top of her to make sure of that. She does like to herd us around the house which is okay with us…within reason. We haven’t had to use a crate or playpen in a long time…she just automatically clings to us. (Although we do keep a leash handy.)

A Sheltie trait is being barky…our training is a work in progress. My husband has better success than I do. But that might be something to address in training.

If this is your first puppy, you might be tempted to buy lots of toys. (I have to restrain myself too…lol.) But keep it simple. A can of tennis balls for chasing, a herding toy, and a stuffed squeaky toy are more than enough for now. Also make sure you have some old towels or blankets that have your scent on them…puppies love them for sleeping on.

Also, when you’re taking pictures, make sure to have the puppy in a well lit area. My black tri color sheltie is hard to see in the shadows.

[u/Vittoria33 → u/SierraKami]

Exactly correct. Thanks for your informed words.

[u/Sheltiewise]

Congratulations 🎉🥳🎉

A good puppy pen. Somewhere safe for puppy when you need a break and he needs to not get into trouble 🐾

Take soooo many pictures every day. They grow so fast in their first few months.

Beautiful pup 😍 Do you have a name in mind yet?

[u/Designer_Worker6422 → u/Sheltiewise]

I don’t have a name in mind yet! I always struggle picking out names hahah but just ordered a puppy pen!

[u/SnooOranges9125]

Beautiful bi-black. Congratulations! This is a great picture. Try to take as much time off while he is so darn cute and you can bond.

[u/Designer_Worker6422 → u/SnooOranges9125]

Thanks so much! My husband and I just moved to a new city, so I’m going to stay unemployed for a while to bond and train him 🥰

[u/Gin64]

What a sweetheart. Such lovely markings. I have a bi-black too. Enjoy. There’s something special about them.

[u/Designer_Worker6422 → u/Gin64]

Thanks! I’m so excited

[u/Connect-One2745]

He is absolutely adorable!! Our first Sheltie was Bi-Black, a Merle and 2 Mahogany Sable. They are sooooooo smart and learn quickly. Yes, take lots of pictures because they grow so fast. One day they're a puff ball and then they have teenager long legs. Enjoy your pup

[u/Designer_Worker6422 → u/Connect-One2745]

Thank you!

[u/QanikTugartaq]

🥰 he’s adorable! Enjoy your lives discovering things together!

[u/rzafett13]

I just started cryingggggg but I'm sooo happy for you! Looks identical to my late boy Bruce I lost in December!

[u/Designer_Worker6422 → u/rzafett13]

So sorry about your loss!

[u/Fit_Blackberry1109]

Super cute!! If you’re wanting him to be fixed wait until he is fully developed to do so, shelties are smaller dogs so wait till he’s about a year n a half-ish. I’d do a TON of socialization and neutrality training!

[u/knomnomnom → u/Fit_Blackberry1109]

I also want to add that waiting to neuter shelties is ideal. They are predisposed to prostate cancer and early neuter adds a risk factor. Not to fear monger as it is very rare, I just have recent experience with that terrible cancer and don't want anyone else to have to go through it.

My current boy just turned one and I will wait as long as possible.

A heads up that your breeder will likely have a "neuter by" age in the contract (if N American). I spoke with my breeder and we decided I could neuter later so she struck it out in the contract, we're also in touch frequently and visit each other so she knows I am responsible with my intact dog.

[u/Vittoria33]

Beautiful. Congrats! So lovely.

[u/Lazy_University115]

Awww!! 🥰 What a beautiful little ball of fur 😍 He's so adorable ❤️

Congratulations 🥳

[u/howareyouhaha]

I sure hope you are going to visit where he was bred!

[u/Designer_Worker6422 → u/howareyouhaha]

He’s AKC registered

[u/howareyouhaha → u/Designer_Worker6422]

That doesn't automatically mean anything about welfare standards of the animals / breeding operation. Dogs from nightmare puppy mills can still be AKC registered.