AboutDave Expertise My wife and I are active Sheltie owners. Helpful hints on discipline, training, disposition, selection, and of course acquisition. We think like dogs, so we can help you understand yours!
Experience 2 Shelties currently owned. Rescued and placed 9 dogs (3 non Sheltie).
Expert: Dave Date: 6/8/2008 Subject: My Sheltie Ignores Me And Doesnt Want To Play or Listen & She Steals?HELP!!!
Question Hello, I have a four month old sheltie. She is the most adorable puppy ever with such nice color and patterns. It's almost too nice! But everytime I try to take her out to play outside, she doesnt play with me at all. She ignores me and just run out by herself or with my other dog. I call her name and she looks at me and then just continues doing what she does. When I DO GET HER ATTENTION,Sometimes she will follow me around when I am not looking, but when i turn to greet her she ignores me again and run off, cautiously. I dont get it? Is she scared of me or whats going on? She might just be stubborn and spoiled, because when my other dog gives me attention, all of a sudden she wants my attention. For example, both of them love it when I sit down and they come running to sit on my laps. But the problem is that my other dog does it and then she follows. I give him a treat for being good, she tries to steal it instead of just doing what I ask her to do, which is "sit" Whats wrong with this situation? Please help me ASAP before she gets older and it's harder!
Answer Hi Keltie,
One of the things about having older and younger dogs and training is that you need to spend some special time with the younger one alone to reinforce a few basics. It is not too early to do basic leash work with her and get her acquainted to obeying you. Don't worry about general treats for being good, let's just use them for specific training tasks.
Work on these basics:
walking on a leash at your side (not pulling)
look (at you)
sit
stay
This is the foundation of learning for all dogs. It establishes you as being in charge.
For your other dog, spend a little quality time too and make sure you are reinforcing the pack order with the older dog as lead.
