HIGH LONESOME RANCH, INC
Birch River, West Virginia 26610
Jim & Marcy Lilly     hlrinc@yahoo.com  

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We currently do not have any older Shepadoodles available.

Before you adopt an older puppy, be sure to read this whole page
What Entails an Older Puppy?  Letters from our Families  The First Day Home

DID YOU KNOW??? Don't pet your puppy to calm him when he's afraid. This will make him think acting fearfully is correct. Praise him when he is brave.

What entails an Older Puppy?

Letter from our Families  ~ If you have ever wondered about adopting an older puppy these two  letters are a "must read"!

July 19,2011

Hi Marcy.  I owe you a much longer email, but wanted drop a line to say that Gatsby Ayn (who just goes by Gatsby) is happy, healthy, and a complete joy.  She is also ridiculously adorable as you can see from her photo.  What a wonderful dog! 

Gatsby is living in Texas

Hi Jim and Marcy,

Just a quick note to let you know how "Domino" (also Dougal) is doing. He just celebrated his 1st birthday on the 4th of July and is doing so well. He brings us such a joy and is the best dog we (and all of our friends) have ever seen. Dogs like this do not come along too often. He is so calm, gentle and loving. He only runs and plays when outside, but settles down and finds his spot on the floor whenever he is inside. We have been using a personal trainer and he "gets it" on the first try... we have the best walks around the block, even off lead. He is so smart! He never balks and just glances when someone comes to the door, but I think he would protect "his people" if he had to. We could not have picked a better dog.

Adopting an older puppy was the way to go for us and I really think you did a fantastic job with him. I would encourage others to do the same. We are thinking of moving out to the rural Harford County and have our eyes on a small farmette. Dougal would have the run of the place (well maybe have to share with a few chickens and goats or whatever I decide to raise. ) We have no doubt he will love it out there!

Here are a few pictures for you and thanks again. Hope all is well at High Lonesome Ranch.

Sincerely,
Missi

Dear Jim and Marcy and family,

The Kirby family (we adopted Charlotte two Christmas' ago) wishes the Lilly family and High Lonesome Ranch the best holidays of 2006.

    We are so sorry we have been so silent. My husband developed sever cardiac issues in March of 2005 ( three months after we got Charlotte) that have now improved after surgery. So we've been busy getting him back into shape. (Charlotte helps him by going on walks with him!) We wanted to give you and update on our wonderful Charlotte! We picked her up on 12/17/2004 (she was 9 months old) and she instantly became the love of our life.

    Charlotte is the most wonderful dog! She has grown into a beautiful 90 pound black labradoodle. She is so smart and so affectionate. She actually loves to be a lap dog whenever she cam! She sits,. stays, comes, says "please" (by giving you her paw) rides beautifully in the car, and gives kisses on demand. She loves to play football and tug of war with out son. She also sleeps in his room every night. They are almost inseparable. Charlotte also enjoys chasing him in the back yard. It's so funny to watch.

Charlotte is a very social dog She has lots of doggie friends and playmates in our neighborhood. Her very best friend and playmate is a 20 pound Schnoodle named Axel.. They play together every afternoon.

We are so happy to have her as a member of our family. Thank you so much for allowing us to adopt her. Our family wouldn't be complete without her.

Here's hoping you and yours have a wonderful holiday season. We wish you much health in and happiness in 2007.

WHAT ENTAILS AN OLDER PUPPY?

Puppies over 3 months can offer a wonderful opportunity to their families. These puppies have grown and fulfilled their personality traits and are placed within families based on their position (the hierarchy) in a family. They do not take long in assimilating their new life.

They have typically been leased trained and are crate trained, and house broken. All the work has been done. This is ideal for families that do not have the time, or the want to train their puppies. The families do not have to worry about the late midnight walks, hoping the puppy can make it in the crate until the morning (puppies younger than 12 weeks do not have the physical attributes to hold it that long)

They are generally through the chewing stage, and they have shed their puppy coat. This makes it easy to see what the puppy will look like as an adult

These puppies are also often nearly completely done with their puppy vaccinations.
These puppies are not the "last of the litter" or the "one that didn't' sell" These puppies are a part of our family and are often the pick of the litter, or our favorites. They have exceptional personalities, that we have specifically held back.

 We do not list our older puppies until we are ready to release them, often after 16 weeks of age. If you are interested in an older puppy, please be sure to fill out an Adoption Application for our records.

PRICE
Older puppies usually place for between $500 and $900, plus shipping costs. Prices are typically above that litter's fee. The excellent trade off is that they have received far more care and vetting, ultimately saving their forever homes most of the puppy vetting visits customary to getting a new puppy going in his/her new home

The First Day Home Think of it as the first day of a new job and remember that the pup needs time to adjust, just as you would.

Take your new dog for a long walk through the neighborhood before you invite him into your house. This helps with the bonding process and lets him know that you are the leader and will show him what is expected of him. Do not fawn over him, or try to make him feel better by giving him a lot of attention. This behavior only reinforces (to the pup) that being worried/scared/apprehensive about the situation is the RIGHT feeling, when in reality, it is not.

 

Keep your the pup on a leash. A simple "Come" with a tug on the leash will motivate your dog to follow you. Show him where his water and food dish are kept. Show him where he is to sleep. When he is indoors be sure and keep him confined with you, Taking him outdoors at frequent intervals to relieve himself. Take him to the same spot each time and praise him heartily when he goes. Until he learns this new routine he will have to be watched closely. If there is an accident in the house please do not assume he is not housebroken. He must get accustomed to his new home and his new routines. You must be patient - if you stress over "accidents" in the home, the dog will feel that stress. If you find the dog having "accidents" hidden somewhere, the dog is stressed - and it is because of YOUR attitude!
If you catch him in the act,, loudly say "NO!" and take him outside immediately. You must catch the dog in the act if the correction is to be effective. NEVER hit your dog if an accident occurs. Praise, not punishment, is the key to a well behaved pet.

At High Lonesome Ranch every dog is crate trained. They feel that the crate is their safe-haven. Having a crate ready for your older dog can help the adjustment . This also gives you the peace of mind when you go to bed at night, or are leaving for a while -  knowing the pup is safe and not able to wander around your house when you can not keep an eye on him. We cover the crate with a blanket at night.

To avoid your new best friend from getting diarrhea from a change in diet, give boiled potatoes with the new food. Works great. (Rice also works but is more fattening.) Here at High Lonesome Ranch, we give a bag of the food we have been using to help with the transition.

Period of Adjustment

The first couple of weeks you and your pet are "getting to know one another". He doesn't know why he has come to your home nor what is expected of him. Please be patient with him and anticipate problems before they occur. Don't leave tempting shoes, clothing, or children's toys within reach of your dog. If he is left out in your backyard while you work, please understand the first few days will be rough on him. Try to leave the home with as little fanfare as possible. Tearful goodbyes do nothing but add to your dog's anxiety.

Things to Watch For

When he's first settling in, your dog may experience shyness, anxiety, restlessness, excitement, crying or barking. He may exhibit excessive water drinking, frequent urination, or diarrhea. His appetite may not be good.

Be Consistent

Your the pup must learn a whole set of new rules. Be patient and be consistent. If you want him off the furniture, don't allow him to sit on the couch "sometimes". Don't allow him to do something one time and forbid it another.

Obedience Training

Most cities' Parks and Recreation Departments offer dog obedience training. A six to eight week class taking one hour of your time one day a week, and a training lesson with your dog 1/2 hour a day, will teach your dog the simple obedience commands so necessary in having a well-behaved pet. Just as we must teach our children manners, we must also teach our pet.

A New Member of Your Family

Within a week or two, your dog will have settled into his new home and his new routine. Some will take a little longer. Very few are unable to adjust at all. In most cases the dog will be a well-adjusted member of the family within a month. And well worth it, it will be. In fact, you will probably have trouble remembering when he wasn't one of you.