Keeping Your Sheltie Safe During the Holiday Travel Season
Bear with us...reports of lost Shelties increase over the holidays, and we feel it is important to periodically send a reminder. Even if you do not travel over the holidays, visiting guests can mean doors opening more frequently, and caution must be exercised with Shelties and open doors.
We also occasionally hear of an MNSR Sheltie being off-leash in an unfenced area, whether at home or elsewhere. Please do not take any unneccesary chances with your rescue Sheltie (or any Sheltie!). It just takes one time for a tragedy to occur that can never be undone.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL PRECAUTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR SHELTIE
Shelties are at an increased risk for getting lost when staying with someone other than their primary caretaker. While we Sheltie people are well aware of the flight risk of a Sheltie and the precautions that need to be taken, those that do not live with a Sheltie on a daily basis may not be aware of this information, or may not be as vigilant. Being away from home, and with someone other than the immediate family, also increases the risk that the Sheltie will try to get out to find its way back home and to its family.
If your Sheltie is staying with someone else, please be sure that person understands the flight risk and all the precautions that need to be taken in terms of doors, the collar, and supervision when the dog is outside, even in a fenced yard. Shelties have been known to get out of fenced yards by every means possible (finding a small gap, scaling the fence, digging out, squeezing underneath), or to wait for an opportunity when someone opens a door. This applies to boarding kennels and vet clinics as well, if that is where your Sheltie is staying. For MNSR Shelties, please give our contact info to the person caring for your Sheltie in case the dog does get away.
If your Sheltie is traveling with you, please be aware that your Sheltie may still try to get out of a door (including a car door) or out of the yard to try to head home.
Be sure your Sheltie is wearing a collar with tags at all times (the phone number on the tag should be one where someone is always reachable, as a home phone # is useless if you are out of town). Microchipping is strongly recommended. MNSR Shelties should also be wearing an MNSR tag. Please let us know if you need one sent to you.
Please folks, do NOT assume that because your Sheltie loves you and/or is normally a friendly, outgoing dog, that this does not apply to him or her. Some of the most friendly ones have just RUN. Training helps, but that too does not guarantee that your Sheltie will respond to you when something has spooked him or when he's on the run. It's a MAJOR tendency in this breed and you can't predict what will set them off, so the best thing to do is assume EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM will run and will go semi-feral when nervous/spooked/scared, and act accordingly.
We have a wonderful article on precautions to take, and what to do if your Sheltie is lost: http://www.mnsheltierescue.org/node/12
Have a wonderful and safe holiday season!