20 Things All Shetland Sheepdog Owners Must Never Forget

by pawbuzz on in Dogs 184

Shetland Sheepdogs, also known as Shelties, have been popular family dogs for many years.

Well known for their intelligence and their willingness to please, Shelties are loving companions for all members of the family, including the kids, but they can be reserved or even shy around strangers.

It’s been often said that dogs are the only creatures on earth that love you more than they love themselves. Well, Shetland Sheepdogs are no exception!

But sometimes, we take our furry friends and wonderful companions for granted. There are important life lessons that are sometimes easy to forget in our hectic lives, that all Sheltie owners must never forget.

If we want to pay back the favor and give them the best life possible, these 20 important reminders should serve you well as awesome Shetland Sheepdog owners. The last one (#20) brought me to tears…

Check out the 20 Things All Shetland Sheepdog Owners Must Never Forget below:

1. Don’t be upset when I jump for joy when you come through the door.

I only live for ten to twelve years. You are what makes that time enjoyable. It’s hard on me when you go away.

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2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.

I don’t always get it right on the first try, but I promise I’m trying as hard as I can.

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3. Give me your trust.

Just like I trust you, I need you to trust me, too.

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4. Don’t be angry with me for too long.

And please don’t lock me up to punish me. You have your friends and family to keep you happy and entertained. I just have you.

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5. Take me inside when the weather gets bad.

The backyard doesn’t have air conditioning or a heater. You don’t have to let me on the couch, but a small part of the kitchen is much better than sleeping in the snow.

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6. Talk to me.

Sure, we don’t speak the same language, but the sound of your voice brightens my whole day.

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7. Comfort me when I’m scared.

You know a lot more about loud noises, strange people, and new places than I do. I need to know that you’ll protect me from them. I always feel safer when I’m with you.

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8. Remember that I’ll never forget how you treat me.

Teach me that humans are made of love, not pain. And don’t ever let me forget it.

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9. Come outside with me.

The sights, sounds, and scents of nature are some of my greatest pleasures in life. I don’t care if we play, go for a walk, or just sit under a tree together — I want you to experience them with me.

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10. Let me make new friends.

Introduce me to other dogs, cats, or even bigger animals. We might now get along in the end, but having some more friends that look and smell like me makes my life that much brighter.

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11. Give me a treat ever once in a while.

Food is one of my greatest pleasures in life. I know you want me to be healthy, so I understand when you don’t share your own meals with me. But giving me a dog biscuit when I’ve been good or mixing tasty vegetables mixed in with my dinner is guaranteed to make me wag my tail extra hard.

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12. Please don’t hit me.

I have teeth that can crush bone. Instead, I cover you in sloppy, wet kisses. Just as I choose not to hurt you, please make the choice to not hurt me.

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13. Understand when I need my alone time.

I love you more than anything, but even though it’s rare, I don’t always want to play or cuddle. Don’t be sad if I’d rather sleep on the cold tile floor instead of in your bed on hot summer nights, and be understanding if I don’t want to play as much as the years go on.

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14. Show me your world.

The house and yard might be the only places I ever see unless you let me come with you. A trip to the pet store, the park, or even just a ride in the car is exhilarating for me. I can’t wait to see what you want to show me.

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15. Teach me new things.

Learning new tricks keeps my mind active, but most of all, it gives me a way to impress you. I love showing off for your friends, looking up at you, and seeing how proud of me you are.

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16. Let me get dirty once in a while.

Your world is inside, but I thrive outdoors. Sometimes I find a lot of mud or a lake that smells like all of its fishy inhabitants. I understand if you don’t want to wash all that stuff off every day, but as long as it’s safe, let me go back to my wild roots every now and then.

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17. Touch me.

Nothing makes me feel more loved than when you take time out of your day to rub my ears or scratch that itchy spot on my back that I can't reach. I can't understand your words, but I definitely understand the feelings behind a hug.

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18. Pay attention if I don’t seem like myself.

It might seem like I’m just being lazy or stubborn, but I might not be feeling well. I can’t get help for myself, and I need you to look out for me.

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19. Love me when I’m old just as much as you did when I was young.

I might not be the cute puppy that I once was, but I still love you just as much now as I did then. Please take care of me when my body doesn’t work like it used to.

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20. Come with me on my final journey.

I know it will be difficult, but I need you by my side when the time comes for me to leave this world. Every moment down to my last breath is easier if I have you with me.

And even when I'm gone… remember these words.

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“People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.” 

– Spoken by a 6 year old boy who had just lost his family's 10 year old, Belker, to cancer.

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184 thoughts on “20 Things All Shetland Sheepdog Owners Must Never Forget”

  14. Barb Breheim

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    Brought me to tears even though I have a new Sheltie. They all are so unique and capture our hearts. Over 10 years from my first and I still mourn from the loss of my first.

  19. Vern Murphy

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    Shelties are the best little feelers, thinkers, and just have fun kind of dogs. They are so sensitive, they can tell when you are having a bad day. What is their answer? Let it go and get out here and play! They have a way of just being there when you need it like when I had surgery or when I was a bit depressed. They learn fast and who can not fall in love with that little head$#%&!@*to the side when they are trying to understand your language? My dogs have taught me much about life and finally, I can understand them lol. I finally figured out how easy it is to train them to run through tunnels and go over jumps without using any treats. Shelties are the best!

  28. Linda Harman White

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    My husband and I just had to put our Kassie to sleep this past Tuesday. We stayed with her and held her for her last journey, she was 14 1/2 years old. We would never leave any of our fur babies on their final journey. WE love and miss you terribly Kassie.

  30. Rhonda Gillikin

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    This is my Beloved Nellie Mae. I lost her 2 1/2 years ago to a tumor that came up so sudden.. I was with her until she closed her eyes for the last time at the Vet’s office.. My son had to pull me off from her so we can leave.. I am still in mourning over losing her.. She was my life, my princess, my drama queen and absolutely the best dog ever. Her photo is my screensaver and I tell her goodnight every night..some people understand what I am going through, and some people say, get over it, she was a dog… No, she was my baby girl and I will never get over the loss of losing her… she was almost 10 years old..

  31. Amanda Wiesen

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    I let my sheltie go 7 weeks ago due to bladder cancer and kidney failure due to bladder cancer. Was with him from 10 weeks old when I brought him home, many great years after that, then 17 months fighting the cancer and until he took his last breath. Miss my Rocky Roo.

  41. Joan Lemon

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    Hi it broke my heart I lost mine 10 weeks ago loved so much and miss him so ; he was one of the family ; was good with my granchildren grow up with them ; such a lovely friend I also did all of the 20 things said ; he won a couple of rosette in fun show ; his gran parents were in cuffs ; I was with him at the end and I know he is with me still my best friend R I P Timmy x x

  46. Lisa Humphreys

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    Aww my boy Benji is also 11 (12 at the end of August). And I’ve been noticing him slowing down a lot lately too. He sleeps a lot more and gets much more tired after walks. And doesn’t follow me around as much as he used to. Honestly, sometimes it makes me sad because I know his time will be coming soon. Sorry if that sounded depressing.This is my first time owning a dog so he is very special. Everyone that knows him loves him.

  47. Nancy Russo

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    When we moved out to the midwest, I found a sheep farmer who didn’t mind if my Sheltie herded his flocks. So, once a month, I brought my dog over to get “back to his roots.” My dog LOVED every herding!!! He gave the farmer’s own dogs a well deserved break. Symbiotic relationship for sure!!! I was so sad when the farmer had to sell his land. They turned it into apartment buildings! : (

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