More fun stuff on Duncan
When the breed has been described as "stubborn" -- THEY WEREN'T KIDDING! Duncan really has a problem with our backyard. He doesn't like going out into it, but I really want him to go off the patio and enjoy the shade of the tree, the cool grass, and eat his bone out there. To cajole him to come out on to the grass, I got one of his favorite treats and gave him the come command. He's still working on that, but in the past he would just about dance on his hind legs (hyperbole here) for a treat. Wasn't having it. The more I wanted him to mind me, the more recalcitrant he became. We're going to avoid setting him up in a power struggle. Duncan has also destroyed three or four of my cats' little toy mice. He just chewed them up. He didn't eat them, but he is ignoring the nice dog toys I bought him to look for kitty toys. I left him alone for an hour today. It looks as if he went to the window to look out. The fact that there is a queen sized sofa sleeper in front of the window with an end table in front of it were mere details to Duncan. In the process of moving the sofa to get to the window, he knocked over a very expensive lamp (which wasn't broken, thank goodness) on the end table. I'm going to have to rearrange my living room. The sofa wasn't moved far (the end table was definitely askew), but it is obvious that this is a strong and determined dog, and if he wants to look out a window to see when Mom is getting home -- he's going to do it. So what have I learned? My dog is a stubborn, strong-willed dog with a mind of his own whom I love dearly. I'm laughing at all of this because he's such a great dog, but we human members of the pack are going to get to learn a few new tricks to deal with Duncan. |
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Patience and humor go a long way with this breed.  |
| Everyone who has ever owned a sheepdog will laugh with you. Clumsy and stubborn, but clownish and lovable, Duncan is clearly a fine example of his breed. |
| I'm always telling my husband, GOSH THEY'RE SO DANG STUBBORN especially now that we've got another sheepie puppy in the house. I can say with my older one, it has gotten better. So give it a few yearss... lol
There's absolutely no way I could leave out mice with our dogs. I don't like them always eating them. The cats suffer but I give a big so what to that. They're cats.  Just kidding... we toss them out every now and then and lock them in our room ...keeping track of how many we threw out for them to find. Then we leave them out when we go on trips and leave them behind (Again, just upstairs... they're hard enough to keep track of)! |
| Duncan is obviously a decorator at heart. He must be into Feng Shui - and you aren't getting it quick enough. LOL
We had dogs before we got the cats, so the cats have to give up somethings to accommodate the dogs. We only bring out the mice and other small toys when the dogs are locked up. And we do a "surgical count" - when we bring them out and when we put them back up. Ben has already had two emergency surgeries for eating things he shouldn't have. The cats love the small stuffed dog toys, so they steal them form Riley. And a friend suggest putting some of the mice in a CD/DVD holder (what you buy them in, 50 count size), supergluing it closed. Duncan is going to surprise you for the next 6 months to a year as you learn his quirks, likes and dislikes. It's easier wit a puppy because they sleep so much - you have time to catch your breath. |
| Guess what? Duncan, who has a problem with our backyard, remember?, minds my husband so well. I had spent all day taking Duncan out to the backyard every hour and a half to two hours so that he would have the opportunity to relieve his bladder and maybe have a bowel movement. I know that he has been recently housebroken, and I (in my concerned Mommy role) didn't want to set Duncan up for failure. No joy. First of all, he didn't want to go out on the grass as you know, but he would go with me if I put him on his lead.
My husband gets home. He and I go out back with Duncan. Michael says to Duncan go use the restroom. Duncan immediately and promptly goes over ON THE GRASS to a bush and lifts his leg. He hasn't used the restroom since 10:45 this morning. 
Then, my beloved husband took Duncan on his evening walk. I let him go by himself because I was a little tired. Not less than a block from the house, Duncan has a bowel movement. I have already walked this dog twice to try and generate a bowel movement because he didn't have one yesterday, and I was worried.
All I can do is laugh at all of this. He is SO funny and this situation is hilarious.   |
| I can guess who Duncan's favorite is. Not that he won't love you, but it sounds like he picked his Daddy to impress. |
wendy58 wrote: I can guess who Duncan's favorite is. Not that he won't love you, but it sounds like he picked his Daddy to impress.
My husband says that he was just lucky?!?!?!?!  <-- hysterical laughter |
Duncan sounds like a typical sheepie!! Selective hearing, sneaking to re-decorate (wouldn't dare do it if you were looking) and holding out until he is ready!! Enjoy!!! Laughing with you!!  |
sheepiezone wrote: Duncan sounds like a typical sheepie!! Selective hearing, sneaking to re-decorate (wouldn't dare do it if you were looking) and holding out until he is ready!! Enjoy!!! Laughing with you!!
Michael has already decided that we need another OES! I sort of feel like the woman who has spent a day with a fussy 2 month old baby and hearing from her husband that maybe it would be a good idea to have babies close together in age!  |
Shea130 wrote: I have learned a bit over the last four days.
When the breed has been described as "stubborn" -- THEY WEREN'T KIDDING! I swear our sheepies have some mule lineage somewhere back in the dark ages - when someone asks me what kind of dog Patch is I always say sheepdog with a mix of mule. But she is MY mule - LOL. |
| Yes, we're all laughing with you, not at you, because at some point, we've all been there. They are a really stubborn breed and just when you think you've got them figured out, they will surprise you.
You're in for a fun adventure. Life with a sheepie has begun!! |
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I can laugh as a Mommy to a 10 m/o sheepie! I knew the breed but, never had a puppy..... what an adventure! I love my baby so much 
Keep telling yourself "It will pass" |
Beaureguard's Mom wrote: Yes, we're all laughing with you, not at you, because at some point, we've all been there. They are a really stubborn breed and just when you think you've got them figured out, they will surprise you.
You're in for a fun adventure. Life with a sheepie has begun!! I'm having the time of my life! I think he's absolutely wonderful, and he has managed to get me going around in circles in just a few days. |
| Duncan is picking up your vibes. He's nervous because you are obsessing about him. As hard as it is, relax......... I suggest a few trips outside to sit on the patio and read a book, drink some lemonade, shut your eye...keep the other half open...and sigh deeply giving him the "word" you are relaxed and he can go do dog stuff. |
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