How to Prepare for an Old English Sheepdog

By Ramona Atkins

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

A fenced in yard
A brush
Dog Bed
Clutter free areas
Love of animals
Tolerance
Large water and food bowls: at least a12 to 14inch
Towel or plastic mat to place bowls on top of
Dog training classes
Sturdy hard plastic dog toys
Dog Biscuits
Large unflavored dog bones
Plant-free backyard without hazardous plants Supervised play

Preparing Your Home for an Old English Sheep Dog

Step 1:
Enroll your Old English Sheepdog in obedience training classes. They love to greet their owners with paws upon the shoulder, so it is important that they know the basic commands of "off, stay, wait, sit, and down."
Step 2:
Exercise your Old English Sheepdog daily. Fence your yard to provide enough room for your dog to run and romp freely. Socialize this breed either through daily walks, dog parks or "doggie day care" at pet resorts.
Step 3:
Purchase two large bowls, one for water, and one for food. These bowls should sit in an adjustable food stand that is able to be raised to a height of at least 12 to 14 inches. Adjust the height of the bowl-stand as your dog grows so that your Old English does not strain his/her neck while eating and drinking, and so that it eliminates the possibility of choking as well. Place a towel or a plastic mat in the area where your dog will be drinking, as this breed will drip a lot of water around the bowl area, as well as shake his/her muzzle after drinking.
Step 4:
Purchase a very large dog bed for your Old English Sheep Dog. Be tolerant of its desire to share your couch, your chair and your bed! Define your house limits for this breed that thinks it is human. Practice the obedience training basic commands daily.
Step 5:
Purchase several sturdy, thick and hard plastic dog toys, as your Old English will love to chew on your furniture while a puppy and sometimes while an adult if bored. Make sure all toys do not have eyes or parts that can easily detach and cause a choking hazard. Enjoy giving your Old English Booda (very hardy) brand toys, old athletic socks tied together, or thick, rope tug toys.Buy some dog treats to occasionally reward your Old English Sheepdog for his/her good behavior. Milkbones and unflavored dog bones are best. Make sure there are not any knots at the ends of the dog bones, as these can cause choking hazards once detached from the main neck of the bone. Also, for variety you may put a small dab of peanut butter on the bone as a special reward for good behavior.
Step 6:
Remove any clutter you may have in your home, as the Old English Sheepdog can sometimes be clumsy when he/she walks. Place any collectibles or cherished memorabilia in areas that cannot be knocked over. Be tolerant as this 80 to 95 pound dog adjusts to your lifestyle, and you to his or hers.

Tips & Warnings

Be sure you are a "big dog" person before selecting this breed.
Make certain you have an adequate area for this breed's exercise and living accommodation.
Socialize this breed as much as possible while young, as it can be very protective when strangers visit.
Handle this breed and its food as much as possible while it is young so that it does not have any "ownership" issues with its belongings. After all possession is the main thought in most dog's worlds, but especially in a larger breed.
Be accepting of their loving greetings and their pranks.
Never yell at them, as they are a very sensitive breed.
Brush your Old English Sheepdog's hair to keep it hair tangle free. If you do not have the time for grooming, you can either have a groomer keep your dogs hair cut in a short puppy cut, or provide you with a brushing service on a weekly basis. Wash this breed once every three months, as long as its coat is brushed and maintained.
This breed can be unintentionally clumsy and may not be well suited towards living with smaller animals. Many times this breed views smaller animals much like a stuffed animal. If you do have other smaller pets, you may want to keep them separated.
Be careful with this breed's hips and shoulders, always making sure to have them checked regularly. Though rare, some Old English Sheepdogs have been known to get a rare joint disease wherein there is not enough fluid between the joints to provide cushion, which in turn causes the animal pain and sometimes lameness depending on severity.
Make sure you provide this breed with plenty of attention, as its attention can often turn to your chair and table legs or any other wooden surface. This breed likes to be around people. If you will be away for the day, turn a radio or t.v. on in the room where your dog will be. If you leave your dog outside, be prepared for large holes in your yard, as this dog loves to dig. Further, place plants out of reach, as this dog breed loves to eat plants and foliage. Make sure your yard is Oleander and Holly Berry bush free, as both have been noted as being hazardous to dogs.

Photo/Video Credit

Author Ramona Atkins' Old English Sheepdog Lyla

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