Do Shelties Need a Lot of Attention?
We work tremendously with shetland sheepdogs or shelties and have been doing so for many years. Through all our experiences, we have discovered plenty of traits and characteristics of shetland sheepdogs or shelties.
Do Shelties Need a Lot of Attention?
Yes, most shelties or shetland sheepdogs do need a lot of attention.
Temperament and behavior of shelties or shetland sheepdogs are affected by so many different factors. Because of this as well as a whole host of other factors, generally, shelties or shetland sheepdogs do need a lot of attention. We are going to get into some frequently asked questions and give you everything you need to know about shetland sheepdogs or shelties and their hyper versus non-hyper personality traits and characteristics!
Do I Need to Pay Attention to Whether or Not My Shelties / Shetland Sheepdogs Sleep on Their Own?
Many shetland sheepdogs or shelties actually do love sleeping with their owners and / or families. They are very affectionate creatures, and an incredibly loving breed. Due to this, they will actually constantly try to snuggle or cuddle with you. This is most certainly important for you to be aware of as a potential shetland sheepdog or sheltie owner. This sheds light on one of the many reasons that shetland sheepdogs or shelties require more attention.
Do I Need to Pay Attention to Whether or Not My Shelties / Shetland Sheepdogs Like Sleeping?
Since shetland sheepdogs are extremely social creatures and want or crave emotional human connection, they typically love to sleep with their families or owners. Therefore, you will likely be able to find them sleeping next to you a majority of the time. If they do not sleep next to you, then they will most likely be sleeping on the floor right next to your bed. By simply having them around you, your shetland sheepdog or sheltie will feel safer as well as calmer while they are sleeping. Paying mind to this again sheds light on the fact that shelties need a lot of attention.
Will the Amount of Attention that My Sheltie / Shetland Sheepdog Receives Affect Their Sleeping Pattern?
The quick and easy or simple answer to this question is yes. If your shetland sheepdog’s or sheltie’s sleeping patterns are changing, it can be due to a lot of different reasons. Some reasons can be boredom, fear, anxiety, etc. If you are at all seeing any differences in your shetland sheepdog or sheltie’s sleeping patterns, then it is very much important to make sure that you talk to a veterinarian. Again, this highlights the importance of giving your sheltie or shetland sheepdog the attention that they need.
If you are a person that tends to not be home or if you are not around the house often, then you may want to look into leaving your sheltie or shetland sheepdog some toys around the home to help keep them busy and make them tired. This will allow them generally to sleep better. By placing toys around the house as well, you will technically be paying attention to your sheltie or shetland sheepdog since you are doing this for them.
Do I Need to Pay Attention to My Sheltie / Shetland Sheepdog’s Sleeping?
Shetland sheepdogs or shelties can feel extremely restless during the nighttime, especially when they still have a lot of energy. You may consider giving your sheltie or shetland sheepdog a large amount of exercise time and also walk them outside for a minimum of two times during the day. You may also offer your dog plenty of toys to play with. This will help them get tired, which will then give them more restful nights with better sleep.
You should also make certain that your dog has relieved itself before they go to bed. Typically, going on quick potty breaks in the evening time helps. As stated before, you certainly want to keep your shetland sheepdog or sheltie near you when they sleep because this will make them feel more safe and secure altogether or overall. Because of this, again, you will need to be paying attention or mind to your sheltie, perhaps even more than you thought.
Do I Need to Pay Attention to My Sheltie / Shetland Sheepdog’s Biting Habits?
Since biting is a natural process, it is certainly a good thing to allow your sheltie or shetland sheepdog to bite a bit so they will feel free to learn more about and explore their surroundings. However, if your shetland sheepdog or sheltie starts tearing up your living room, or worse, your home, then you should think about intervening and perhaps imposing some limitations for them. Again, this means that you need to be paying more attention to your sheltie.
Should I Be Paying Attention to My Shelties / Shetland Sheepdogs’ Bark?
Many shetland sheepdogs or shelties are bred in order to protect and work with the overall herd. These shelties or shetland sheepdogs naturally want to let others know when there is anything wrong or amiss, even the smallest thing. Also, since shetland sheepdogs are in a naturally suspicious state when it relates to strangers, even if your shetland sheepdog may be small, they tend to start barking incredibly often and actually can set off alarms.
Even if somebody like your neighbor simply takes a stroll or walks down the sidewalk, your sheltie or shetland sheepdog may begin barking uncontrollably. Also, after your shetland sheepdog starts barking, it is actually pretty difficult to get them to stop. Because of this, you will have to work with them and pay attention to them in order to train them as well as help them learn when the right and the wrong times are to start barking.
Do I Need to Pay Attention to My Sheltie’s / Shetland Sheepdog’s Behavioral Problems?
There are lots of solutions to fix your sheltie or shetland sheepdog’ behavioral problems such as barking and biting and various traits and characteristics that are typically associated with being hyperactive or hyper. With regards to behavioral problems, the good news is that they can be modified, or even eliminated, if you are willing to put in the time to work with your sheltie.
If you can take your tiny shetland sheepdog to any obedience training classes, even just one obedience training class, it can certainly serve as an individual act that will help them with so many behavioral problems. With the socializing or socialization aspects that take place in obedience training classes, your shelties can actually overcome their shyness while also learning to control their barking and nipping. They will also learn different commands that keep them intellectually stimulated.
When your sheltie or shetland sheepdog passes their obedience class successfully, you should consider continuing their education. You are also able to sign up your sheltie or shetland sheepdog for a more advanced class in agility or even learning to track. This will feed your dog’s need for intellectual input. This will help your dogs become tamer and learn to better work not only with dogs but also with people. This can definitely serve positively for yourself and your family as well as for all your neighbors at the same time.
Do I Need to Pay Attention to My Shelties / Shetland Sheepdog’s Feelings About Becoming a Member of the Family?
Shelties or shetland sheepdogs demand to be an integral part or member of the family that they belong to. They tend to stick their teeny tiny noses in just about every single person’s business and they feel compelled to make statements or even comments on their observations. They will continue to follow their person or family members to the corners of various rooms, and they almost always follow them to the bathroom.
Shelties or shetland sheepdogs consider you leaving them behind, no matter what the reason is, as a stray of behavior that they feel is appropriate. These dogs are very selective when it comes to which of your family members or friends they will consider worthy of their affection as well as which ones they want to observe from large or small distances.
These dogs will actually take food right out of babies’ mouths without showing even a single remnant of shame. That shows how close to the family your sheltie or shetland sheepdog will desire to feel and feel. Shetland sheepdogs will begin chasing any and all moving objects if they are not properly being restrained. For some reason, it seems that shelties love barking most at the jogging neighbors who hate dogs.
Normally, shelties or shetland sheepdogs feel like they are key members of the family and they sense members’ moods and tend to be sad or happy alongside you. They certainly do love attention and they also truly love to learn. To keep it short, shetland sheepdogs or shelties demand to be complete members of your family. They do not actually see themselves as accessory figures of the family. Rather, they feel and are integral parts.