Hi there,
I have a 15 week old Sheltie who I believe to have dominance related problems. He has always been a really bold puppy and he's been played with, handed and fussed a lot (I'm in all day so he's hardly ever left alone). So I feel it's unlikely his resent behaviour is down to lack of handling. About two weeks ago he started acting strangely with other members of the family. Growling when his shoulder blades were rubbed and snapping if restrained by his collar in anyway. From there its got worse, it's very hard to look at his teeth without him going for you and he's getting funny with me when i remove his lead after a walk. He swings around to nip me, I retain him to stop him by his collar so then he swings onto his back to get a good bite and kicks his back feet so I am forced to let go of him. I am 24 but still live at home with my father and mother due to anxiety problems. He obeys me most of the time but with them,  especially my father, he is pretty terrible. He runs and jumps up at my dad to be stroked but if my dad calls him he rarely comes and if my dad just strokes the dog's shoulder blades the dog will attack him. I am very worried. I've had him checked by the vet for any health problems and none were found. This is my first Sheltie but not my first dog. I have wanted a Sheltie for years as I've always read how agreeable and gentle they were. That they were a submissive type breed by nature and there was no need for very firm handling. Clearly my dog hasn't read the books, he is acting more like a Border Collie.

What can I do? :(

>This is my first Sheltie but not my first dog. I have wanted a Sheltie for years as I've always read how agreeable and gentle they were. That they were a submissive type breed by nature and there was no need for very firm handling. Clearly my dog hasn't read the books, he is acting more like a Border Collie. <

Shelties are not a submissive breed they are highly independant clever dogs & are you trying to say that Border Collies are an aggressive breed ?

Your puppy is going through puberty or the Kevin stage & is being affected by his hormones. If you know something is going to upset him why keep doing it ? Consistency is always the way to be with your dog. I'm not a fan of"firm"handling & prefer to see my dogs & me sharing a mutually respect for each other within our partnership

My puppy has a crate for chill out time, but as he stayed with his mum until he was 13 weeks old he has never offered to mouth or nip having been taught his manners by his mother.

Just out of interest why are you restraining him by his collar ?

My advice is to stop rubbing him between the shoulder blades & restrain him using a lead with the collar. You need to reward his acceptable behaviour & walkaway & ignore the unacceptable behaviour

A 15 week old puppy is simply a puppy & not a dog planning world domination

"A 15 week old puppy is simply a puppy & not a dog planning world domination "

Lol Moonmaiden - loved that sentence :D

Yvonne

i have a 12 week old border collie and he is not snappy at all,
can i ask has your dog been rough handled maybe when you have not been around to supervise the handling, eg if left alone with children that maybe don't know they are being rough, or maybe he was brushed roughly, or have you grabbed him by the collar anytime and given him a fright,
my friend has two shelties the oldest is a nervous wreck always has been he is frightened of being brushed and you could not touch his collar as he would of nipped you, but after many months of retraining him that a touch of the collar got a treat he is getting better, when her OH said he fancied another sheltie she was very reluctant as she did not want another like the first, but the second one is so different, he is in your face and likes nothing better to rough and tumble nothing holds any fear for him at all he is doing mini agility and will tackle anything that is put in his way,do you know if any of the others from the litter are like this or is it just yours, and don't forget he maybe a little dog but obedience classes may help him, i have a little dog and she will try it on give me my rottie any day.
carol

"A 15 week old puppy is simply a puppy & not a dog planning world domination"

Hee Hee MM me too!! ;-) As for BC's being an aggressive breed..... I have three and none of them have ever behaved like this or maybe I was just lucky? :-)

Hi, I have a 16 week old Sheltie and he's acting pretty much the same. He's just testing you and being a teen. I've been told mine will grow out of it, so hopefully yours too. ;) it's a time called the Seniority Classification Period.

Sorry that's not very great advice but best I can offer.

Has he been checked by a vet?  Maybe the fussing is becoming a bit too much for him?  He could even be over tired.......

The poster has already said that the pup has been checked by a vet.

>From there its got worse, it's very hard to look at his teeth without him going for you

Is he teething? That will explain the mouth as it will hurt him to look at his teeth -just been going through that with my pup.

Have you been taking him to puppy classes, as a good one will help you to gain confidence in training and handling him.
YOu don't have to be hard on him, just consistent, calm, and show him what you do want. I know, easier said than done :P
I agree it may well be a teething thing, that can be a horrible time for pups.

Seriously, if you are worried, try www.apdt.co.uk as you may find a trainer in your area who will come around to your home and check you are not doing anything wrong and who
could give you advice in how to handle this.

Lindsay
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