Sounds like you got a good one. No barking is a really good thing. What food do you feed, is it the same stuff the shelter used? I wouldn't worry to much if he is over weight. Go lite on the treats, cut them into very small bites and use for training purposes only. If dogs aren't being entertained they sleep that is normal. Don't be worried about him not pooping yet just make sure to take a couple of nice long walks to give him plenty of time to go. Thank you for rescuing. Double thanks because he is 6.
Adopted my very first dog...ever. Need some help.
Hi guys!
So I adopted my first dog ever from the humane society yesterday. He is a 6 year old Australian Shepherd. They said his family moved out of state and couldn't take him. Anyways, I've never had a dog and would appreciate any tips. He's been a really great dog so far. He follows me everywhere, which I'm still getting used to. He is slightly overweight though, and I'm not sure what to do about that. I read that Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise, but every time I take him out, he gets tired pretty quickly. He won't play with toys either. And he sleeps, a lot. He slept through the whole night last night, and I had to wake him up when I got up so I could take him outside to use the bathroom. I do my work on the computer, and he just lays at my feet, sleeping. When I get up, he gets up. But other than that, he sleeps. He also won't eat his food. He drinks water and eats treats, but won't eat his food. He has peed, but not pooped yet. Should I be worried? Oh, and I've never heard him bark. I'm not necessarily complaining about that, I just find it weird. He whines, but hasn't ever barked. Any tips or information would be appreciated!
So I adopted my first dog ever from the humane society yesterday. He is a 6 year old Australian Shepherd. They said his family moved out of state and couldn't take him. Anyways, I've never had a dog and would appreciate any tips. He's been a really great dog so far. He follows me everywhere, which I'm still getting used to. He is slightly overweight though, and I'm not sure what to do about that. I read that Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise, but every time I take him out, he gets tired pretty quickly. He won't play with toys either. And he sleeps, a lot. He slept through the whole night last night, and I had to wake him up when I got up so I could take him outside to use the bathroom. I do my work on the computer, and he just lays at my feet, sleeping. When I get up, he gets up. But other than that, he sleeps. He also won't eat his food. He drinks water and eats treats, but won't eat his food. He has peed, but not pooped yet. Should I be worried? Oh, and I've never heard him bark. I'm not necessarily complaining about that, I just find it weird. He whines, but hasn't ever barked. Any tips or information would be appreciated!
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I'm thinking he is just trying to settle in. There has been a lot of change in the last day for him. once he settles in and gets more comfortable, he will likely become more active, eat better, etc.
Yes, I'm feeding him the same food the shelter did. It's called Science Diet.
So I just need to give him time, got it. He's a really great dog, and he's beautiful. I believe his previous owners loved him very much, because he is well trained and already knows the basic commands. Do you all have any tips on bonding? I feel like he's on his best behavior and i'm on my best behavior and it's awkward. It's like he's thankful I adopted him, but he had a whole life before me and he's very reserved and sad.
So I just need to give him time, got it. He's a really great dog, and he's beautiful. I believe his previous owners loved him very much, because he is well trained and already knows the basic commands. Do you all have any tips on bonding? I feel like he's on his best behavior and i'm on my best behavior and it's awkward. It's like he's thankful I adopted him, but he had a whole life before me and he's very reserved and sad.
Congrats on your first dog! He sounds wonderful. This is a terrific article:
Three Ways to Confuse a New Dog
I would also highly recommend this book by the same author:
Love Has No Age Limit-Welcoming an Adopted Dog into Your Home: Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D., Karen B. London Ph.D.: 9781891767142: Amazon.com: Books
Right now, your dog is just starting to get acquainted with your home and with you. He just needs time to settle in and feel at home. The best advice I could give is to go slowly.
Three Ways to Confuse a New Dog
I would also highly recommend this book by the same author:
Love Has No Age Limit-Welcoming an Adopted Dog into Your Home: Patricia B. McConnell Ph.D., Karen B. London Ph.D.: 9781891767142: Amazon.com: Books
Right now, your dog is just starting to get acquainted with your home and with you. He just needs time to settle in and feel at home. The best advice I could give is to go slowly.
I'm convinced they really do know and are thankful they have been rescued. Give it time, remember, his entire life has been turned upside-down and he is confused and trying to process what has happened to him and why. Over time the bonding will happen, but its all based on trust, and trust must be earned over time.Yes, I'm feeding him the same food the shelter did. It's called Science Diet.
So I just need to give him time, got it. He's a really great dog, and he's beautiful. I believe his previous owners loved him very much, because he is well trained and already knows the basic commands. Do you all have any tips on bonding? I feel like he's on his best behavior and i'm on my best behavior and it's awkward. It's like he's thankful I adopted him, but he had a whole life before me and he's very reserved and sad.
The bonding comes with the care you take of him. walks feeding playing with him. The problem with his eating may be the food. Science diet is a pretty bad food. Most dogs won't eat it given a choice. I would go in search of a better quality food and introduce it slowly into his diet. You want a food with more real meat in it and less junk. grain free would be good also. Orijen , Zignaturre,Go foods and a few good solid foods. The higher protein foods will help him loose weight and gain lean muscle mass. Just make sure to feed him the amount on the bag that he should weigh instead of what he weighs now. The more he walks and feeding him a better food will help him loose weight.Yes, I'm feeding him the same food the shelter did. It's called Science Diet.
So I just need to give him time, got it. He's a really great dog, and he's beautiful. I believe his previous owners loved him very much, because he is well trained and already knows the basic commands. Do you all have any tips on bonding? I feel like he's on his best behavior and i'm on my best behavior and it's awkward. It's like he's thankful I adopted him, but he had a whole life before me and he's very reserved and sad.
My dog was only 2 when I rescued her and she slept most of the time as she'd spent the past 1.5 years of her life in the shelter. It took her alot of time to get used to being up and around and moving. Swimming is still her favorite form of excercize...she runs but gets board of that quickly, even if I do play with her.
You are likely not seeing his true personality yet, it can take a few months for a dog to really settle in. Give him time. I'd change his food to something else like Dawnben said. SD is junk food. Try to get the extra weight off him slowly. It will make him feel better and can add to his lifespan.
Congratulations on your adoption of a 7 year old. Pikey, my Beagle, was 8 years old when I found him at a local shelter. As time goes on, you will be richly rewarded by having a wonderful companion. I've known some Australian Shepherds and they are a superb breed. I'm always happy when I hear of an adoption; dogs and humans are perfectly matched.
He's beautiful.
I agree that you should transition him to a higher quality food. Of course, your vet will keep pushing SD, but that's because the clinic sells it.
I agree that you should transition him to a higher quality food. Of course, your vet will keep pushing SD, but that's because the clinic sells it.
He is adorable! :thumbsup: My dog isn't a barker either, we adopted her 4 years ago at the age of approximately 4/5 years old & the only time I've ever heard her bark is when she gets excited when we play. With regards to him following you around the house, well Betsy did the same (still does most of the time 
) In the beginning she would follow me everywhere while whining constantly, if I went to bed before my husband she would pace from upstairs to downstairs until he came up & then would settle down (she sleeps in our room) Eventually this behaviour stopped as she became more settled in our home. I'm sure your dog will settle with time, don't rush him & don't expect things to change overnight, he will soon learn that he is with you for always & can trust you, then he will settle. You are doing all the right things, Thank you for adopting him :thumbsup: xx
) In the beginning she would follow me everywhere while whining constantly, if I went to bed before my husband she would pace from upstairs to downstairs until he came up & then would settle down (she sleeps in our room) Eventually this behaviour stopped as she became more settled in our home. I'm sure your dog will settle with time, don't rush him & don't expect things to change overnight, he will soon learn that he is with you for always & can trust you, then he will settle. You are doing all the right things, Thank you for adopting him :thumbsup: xx
Congrats! He looks lovely. High levels of stress can make some of us very sleepy (us, as in mammals, dogs, people). It's a great reaction to have as it allows both body & mind to repair itself when most needed (and yes, I seem to be one of the lucky ones), so your dog probably has this trait--and that's a good thing.
My dog only whines when he sees another animal he wants to play with, or kids playing..... He barks at the vacuum sometimes and lawn mowers, but even that is rare. I actually had his hearing RE-tested because I thought he must be deaf!
Just be thankful. As far as exercise, I but he will get plenty when you discover what he likes to do.
Just be thankful. As far as exercise, I but he will get plenty when you discover what he likes to do.
Hi
Just new here. I wanted to congratulate your adoption of your new dog. We have also adopted a new dog from a rescue organisation. It's a King Charles Spaniel called Lucy. It's around 4 years old and turfed out at Christmas time.
Ours has also never barked, but whines. We are taking it slowly and within a week this beautiful dog has bonded greatly with our other dog. It's lovely nature makes you wonder why it was let go.
John
Just new here. I wanted to congratulate your adoption of your new dog. We have also adopted a new dog from a rescue organisation. It's a King Charles Spaniel called Lucy. It's around 4 years old and turfed out at Christmas time.
Ours has also never barked, but whines. We are taking it slowly and within a week this beautiful dog has bonded greatly with our other dog. It's lovely nature makes you wonder why it was let go.
John
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