sheltie diet & bathroom business

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
We just got Nugget, a male sheltie 6 yrs. old, not neutered (yet),from my mother in Louisiana. Due to health reasons, she felt she could no longer give Nugget the attention he needed and wanted us to have him. Nugget flew to Nova Scotia in February. Therefore, he's had a lot of changes. He had "bonded" with me while I was in La. so he knew me upon arrival. He's doing very well. He has bonded with my husband, but not our young adult children much to their disappointment. He will sit with them in "the chair", but that's about it at this time. He follows me from room to room. Doesn't chew on anything or play with dog toys. Occasionally barks with excitement when I come home. Likes grooming and petting. He's happy just to be with you. He likes his walks, but is fearful of things. He's improving though. We are having trouble with his diet. I switched him to Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice Small Bites. He seems to like that okay, but doesn't eat a lot. He's not overweight. My husband gave him some wet food mixed with dry and he ate that too. Eats some veggies and fruits also. His bowel movements seem strained at times and other times not. I'm afraid we've got his system mixed up. He has had two poop accidents in the house while we were home. He had lots of opportunities to go out -- not sure what that was about. He does wake us up in the wee hours every night for a pee even though he's been out before bed. We need to change that! Anyway, I read about your keeping the food and water dish up. Could you clarify that? I understand the food dish, but don't dogs need access to water often? Do you feed only once a day? What time of day is best? I will be returning to work and I need to get Nugget into some kind of bathroom schedule so he will do his business before I leave for work. I can crate him, but would prefer not too. He sleeps on our bed when we leave. I'm open to suggestions. My mother had several other dogs and Nugget was not a pack leader.I think Nugget would be considered a "shy" dog. Looking forward to any help you can provide. Thanks, Judy

ANSWER: ((Quick addendum: "strained potty?" Most every sheltie I've ever seen has a weird hunched walk when pooping.  That's not strained, it's normal.  It certainly does look like straining if you hadn't seen it before.))

Hi Judy!

Nugget sounds like a wonderful Sheltie.  He's doing a lot better than I would have expected too, no doubt because he knew you.  The accidents are to be expected in a completely scary transition like he has gone through.  Louisiana to Nova Scotia???  Like being on another planet to Nugget and he has no idea why.

To your questions:
Eating: if he's eating about a cup-and-a-half of quality food and is not lethargic, then that's all he needs.  The dogs we worry about are the ones who eat nothing at all.  Don't get him to eat more than he should.  Shelties are highly efficient working machines.  If they spend most of the day laying around then they don't need much to eat.  In case you are wondering: there should not be much of any body fat on a Sheltie-typical weight is 20-30 lbs.  Not gaunt, just skinny- get your vet to show you what is healthy on the next visit.

Water/Food/Crates/Accidents:
First, get a crate for him.  It would be nice if it had a "worn" item of clothing from both you and your mom in it if possible.  Those smells are familiar and help make him comfortable.   Have him sleep there until you both have a handle on the potty schedule.  Maybe he is used to being let out at 2 am from mom and you don't know it?

The trick is to bring his cycle in time with your habits.  Nugget has already adjusted in some ways, but a month or so of a strict feeding schedule will go a long way toward his getting used to morning/evening potty trips.  Stay with the "food for 5 minute rule" from now on: feed once or twice a day for five minutes.  If not finished, take it away because he doesn't need it.

Water habits: when crate training we restrict water to mealtimes or when we are able to walk outside prior to and after watering.  Make sure when walking that you walk until Nugget does his business-and be very happy and excited when he does go potty.  This walking will take forever at first.  After a few days it should become routine to go at those times.  

Once the potty schedule is more routine and no more late nights, you can leave water out all the time.  If you have some late night problems, take the water up at 6pm or so and put it back out at 6 am.

I hope that is much clearer.

As for the relationships: have your kids feed Nugget.  Get your kids to help brush him.  He hasn't spent much time around children so you are his primary comfort zone.  Be patient with him.  He may never change much but he sounds like a perfectly good dog right now to me.

'sneezes
Dave



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the answers to the previous questions. I have another one. What are you giving your shelties for flea/tick control and heartworm treatments. Nugget is on Biospot right now for the fleas and he was taking some concoction the vet made up for heartworm. I do not have the heartworm concoction. The vet was more of a livestock kind of guy in Louisiana -- now retired. So I need something new. I know there are certain types Shelties shouldn't be given. Oh, what brand of dog food do you feed your dogs? Thanks for your help. Judy

Answer
Judy,

No problem.  I am NOT A VET, I'm more of a behavior guy who loves Shelties.  My wife takes care of the meds, and don't consider this an endorsement, but we use frontline and heartguard pills.  I'm certain on the flea stuff but not on the pills.  Ask your new vet.  I'd avoid shots as they have been shown to be dangerous in the past whereas heart pills seem to have a better record from what I have heard.  

Hope that helps!

Dave