Mary#17 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Well, we promised my 6 year old that we would get a puppy after she turned 6 and when Ian was almost 3 - so here we are. She's a cutie pie but ugh, what a handful! I've pretty much decided the same gene that makes you forget how hard infants and toddlers are (otherwise you'd never have any more children) must also exist for puppies because I forgot how hard they are to live with. We got her last week and she is 9 weeks old this week. Australian Shepherd/Norweigon Elkhound mix. Got her from a rescue group that gets a lot of their puppies from the Amish. Anyway, here are a couple of pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jblosser Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Good on you for adopting a rescue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVTPilot Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Congrats on the new mess maker! All kids should grow up with a dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coyote Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Congrats to you and your family..!Pups can definitely be challenging. We also forgot how much, er..., 'fun' keeping a pup can be--our last was a Heeler mix. We recently rescued TWO Lab/Border Collie mix pups. Haven't had much of a chance to sit still for about 6 weeks now...Wouldn't trade it, though..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mj 88 Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Australian Shepherds are good dogs! Nice looking pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary#17 Posted March 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Congrats to you and your family..!Pups can definitely be challenging. We also forgot how much, er..., 'fun' keeping a pup can be--our last was a Heeler mix. We recently rescued TWO Lab/Border Collie mix pups. Haven't had much of a chance to sit still for about 6 weeks now...Wouldn't trade it, though..!Totally adorable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn-e-rot Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 nice looking pup enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmh_sprint Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 congrats! Beautiful puppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashweights Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 cutie! Aussies are energy bundles, so be prepared to exercise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary#17 Posted March 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 We have a fenced in yard with a lake on the other side so lots of stuff to watch all day long. I'm worried about the herding tendency with the shepherd part. She keeps chasing the kids nipping at their ankles so that is our first challenge to overcome. She does like her treats though and has learned the sit command. I think no jump will be next. When she turns 4 months, I'm going to start taking her to some obedience training. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashweights Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 All puppies are nippers. Just be sure to NEVER tolerate ANY nipping of people or other animals and correct the behavior immediately. A little swat on the nose or under the chin usually works, but make sure they have toys to teeth on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary#17 Posted March 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Yeah, I know they all nip but I've read on several sites now that this is a very normal problem for the shepherds since they are herders. I'm sure we will get past it but it's a bit of challenge right now. And, she's already had her fair share of puppy time outs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustBryan Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 rescues are the best. your kids WILL be rounded up occasionally...that's a good thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smashweights Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 Yeah, I know they all nip but I've read on several sites now that this is a very normal problem for the shepherds since they are herders. I'm sure we will get past it but it's a bit of challenge right now. And, she's already had her fair share of puppy time outs. Squirt bottle? lol. Dogs just require persistence and patience more than anything. That and to turn 2 years old. It's like the magic age where dogs suddenly get their brains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbot Posted March 15, 2013 Report Share Posted March 15, 2013 pepper spray. stern, but fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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