Bringing a New Sheepie Home-Help!
I am a long time sheepie lover, currently have two boys- Cosmo and Carlo. Bought them both from breeders. Seeing all the sheepies that need homes, I just had to make room for one more. He is six years old, his name is Ollie, and I will be picking him up on Sunday. He was given up by his owners due to a divorce, and I am sure he is scared, sad and confused. I want to make it as easy on him as possible and I also want to make the introduction/transition good for Cosmo and Carlo. I would appreciate any suggestions on the best way to bring a scared boy into a house with my rowdy wonderful dogs. |
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| Thank you for taking in a needy sheepie
It is never easy.... Do you have a fenced yard? Introduce them one at a time in the yard if you do. What do you know of Ollie----does he like other dogs? Is Ollie already altered? Typically with our fosters we keep them seperated for a day or two from the other dogs to let them get used to the new environment Good Luck Kathy |
| How old are Cosmo and Carlo? If it's possible could they meet the new kid on neutral territory? If Ollie has been fostered talk to the foster family, they should have some idea of how he may react. Good luck, you're doing a great thing! |
Congratulations on adopting a rescue dog & thank you for doing so! 
Neutral territory is a good idea for the first meeting. Even if you just get your husband or someone in your family to walk Cosmo and Carlo around the block and you "happen" to meet them while walking Ollie, it would be good. After that, at home, it's probably a good idea to let Cosmo and Carlo meet Ollie one at a time in the back yard before putting everyone together. It may take some time for them all to adjust to each other. Then, again, depending on the personalities of each dog, it might just be a huge fun play date from the beginning. Good luck and keep us posted!  |
| Thank you so much for all of your ideas!
Ollie was dropped off at the shelter because his "family" is getting a divorce.  I am told that he is scared and shy ( who wouldn't be under the circumstances) but that his butt starts to wiggle when you bring him treats! Sounds like most of the Sheepies I know!
He is getting neutered tomorrow - I hope he doesn't hold that against me! I do have a big fenced in back yard. I love the idea of taking him for a walk and running into Carlo and Cosmo! I also think it is a good idea to keep him away from the others for a day or two until he gets used to being there. (Believe me I have a noisy bunch!) I am so excited about having him come to live with us! I will keep you posted. |
| Congrats to all of you! You've gotten great advice from the others, but I wanted to tell you a little story. I have sheepie Pirate (4), and a Border Collie Keira (3). We recently rescued a 14 month old sheepie, now named Lizzie. We got all the advice and cautions as to introducing them. I was so nervous!!! With everyone on leashes, on the sidewalk...we all ran into each other. Big disappointment...it was a total non-event! We brought them in house, and again...non-event! IT WAS WONDERFUL! Liz has been with us a bit over a month, and they have all a couple scuffles here and there, but they have now found their places in the pack, and are doing well. Oh...did I mention, Lizzie is cutest, pushiest broad around  |
| I recently adopted a Aussie Shepherd Asia...about three weeks ago. Asia is about 8 mts old and came into a ready made family of Violet OES who is 5 and China her Auntie who is 4. Both Asia and Violet had lived around other dogs for a length of time. Violet was a rescue and we adopted her at 9 mts. The rescue she came from had 7 other sheepies. Asia came from a home where her litter mate was there until about two weeks before she was rehomed to me. There was also China's Mom/Asia's Grandma Angel and a boxer there, so she was used to other dogs being around. China, on the other hand had only lived around Violet since she was 8 mts old, when we adopted her. So I had figured that China may have some problems.
Because of the situation that Asia was in, I had my hubby pick her up on the way home from work one day and he brought her right into the living room where both Violet and China where. Violet came right up to her and sniffed her. China stayed back and observed. Asia, was scared and so I cuddled with her. I then hooked all the dogs to their leads and off we went for a walk. (I took that advise from this forum. That was the best advise ever, and thank you so much for it.) So our routine has been for the three to go on walks together everyday, and China/Asia have really warmed up to each other. Asia sleeps next to China all the time. Violet, on the other hand, is the eldest and will put Asia in her place when need be. Asia has been really good for China because China is afraid of Violet, but because Asia is to naive to be afraid and will try and play with Violet, China now does not seem so afraid of her. So bringing Asia into the family has been a good thing. I guess I am saying, you know your dogs, you know their background and personalities. Just keep your eye on things and they will work things out. It is great if the new comer has lived with other dogs, their transistion should be easier. Walking them together is so important. Everything takes time and don't expect miracles....but things will work out. Just keep an eye on the body language...it speak volumes. Good luck and thank you so much for resuing this sheepie...you will be rewarded. When I see China and Asia sleeping on the floor together or Asia cuddle up to me for a hug....I know I did the right thing bringing her home to us. |
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