AussieDog

I have two puppies at the moment. When I brought my now older puppy home at 11 weeks (he was brought from the RSPCA) we showed him that night how to use the doggie door and ever since he has taken himself outside to go to the toilet. He has never leaked inside the house. My younger puppy that is the same age at the moment (11 weeks) is proving more difficult. During the night I take her out every 3-4hrs. I have to wake her up to but for the last 4-5 weeks no mess inside during the night. During the day when I am at home I take her out every few hrs but she does have the odd accident inside every now and then. I haven't crated either of my dogs - I don't understand the whole concept of confining a dog for such a long period of time - I don't believe there are any benefits to it except for the owner - not having to puppy proof the house and clean up mess. Puppies and dogs love to play - sitting in a steel enclosure for any length of time surely must be boring for them. I can only see the benefits of crating when an animal is recovering from desexing/or an operation or very young small puppies - i.e. only a couple of weeks old. I also take both my puppies out for walks and off lead run about at the park. I can only imagine the destruction both of these puppies would cause if they didn't get exercised.

Hi there husky87 - i too am having this debate in a different forum subject. I have two puppies - 10weeks and 6months. Both are Heeler X's/Working dogs and both are FULL of energy. The 6month old is fully vaccinated and was so at 12 weeks (got him thru RSPCA who did the double dose vaccination - eliminating the need for a third). The younger puppy is due for her second this week so she is still at least 5 weeks from finishing her course. I take both dogs out of the house at least once a day for a play for 30-45mins (exercise time is another debate i'm having). Yes, i think waiting for the vaccination to be finished is the best option - but i don't think i could possibly lock my dog up for 8weeks - this puppy, actually both puppies already tear the house and garden apart with the extended exercise time they currently have. I think it's what you feel comfortable with - i know when i go out i go down to KCC park where there are always dogs around - i don't let the younger one sniff others but at the end of the day the older puppy could easily be spat on by another dog and bring it home. I also try to ensure BOTH puppies don't smell poo's etc. I'm sure others will differ in their opinion - but theres mine...

When i say 45min run i don't mean jogging next to me - i wish i could run for that long. When i say run i mean free to play down at the park. As for vaccinations, yes you do have a point and i agree with you. That said, her course of vaccinations wont be finished for another 2months - this puppy will tear the house and the garden apart if i do not take her out for a walk/play. I don't understand how other dog/puppy owners manage by locking their dog up for so long. Surely if i have another dog running around outside of the property it can easily bring disease etc home. Dogs slobber all over each other and i know the little puppy always spits on the older puppy. Plus our cat hasn't had any of it's vaccinations. Again, interested for people to comment on how they manage puppies for long period of time without outside exercise - both my two have far to much energy to stay locked up. If either of my working dogs were on a working farm i'm sure both would be outside in the hot/cold, chained up eating tinned Pal or homebrand dog feed getting ready to round up the stock. Bare in mind one "puppy" is nearly 20kg.

Hi lillysmum... I can assure you both my puppies are well looked after - if not to the extreme. Both puppies are on the correct vaccination course, both are fleas monthly and both are wormed. I can assure you my vet is very happy with the progress of the puppies. As for exercise, I would be interested in hearing your suggestions to make a 10week old puppy and a 6month old puppy (one being a Blue Heeler X Red Heeler and the other being a Blue Heeler X Kelpie) sit still or sleep during the day and not play. Crating is not an option for me - I feel leaving a dog/puppy in a metal cage/fence is an act of cruelty - even more so when I’ve read on this forum people leave their crates on a slab of concrete. As for the puppies temperate, both my dogs have access to inside the house through a doggie door - both know how to use it. During hot days we even leave the air cooling on for them to ensure they do not get hot. I have purchased them a paddle pool to play in during these hot days - I freeze them ice treats to lick. You’re very quick to come down on other dog users - your not voicing an opinion you are judging. I guess you will fall out of your seat if I tell you both get fresh bones (chocking hazard), they both get the puppy dental bones (as per packaging not suitable for dogs under 1 year), the little one eats snails (poison), the older one eats flies (dirty) and both sleep on my bed (dominance issues). But most importantly both are happy, healthy, obedient and loyal to me..... Can you say the same about your dogs?

Both my puppies love the odd snail and now think chasing and eating flies is lot's of fun. If i'm around i can say no, but during the day they are bound to eat something they shouldn't.

I read with great interest the many posts regarding leaving a puppy home during the day and i was shocked with the response. I have two puppies - a 6month old and a 10week old. Wednesday thru to Friday both dogs are home alone for the best part of 6-7hrs - i don't think this is in any way crule or harmful to either dog. And i still wouldn't even if it was for a longer period. Both dogs have TOO MANY toys to keep themselves busy, they have access to fresh water, shade and can even come inside as they please. They both get fed in the morning and when i come home at 5pm. The younger one has a pot little belly and definately the feeding arrangements is not harming either. Both my dogs are taken for at least one 45min RUN each day. I take them down to KCC park and let them run loose - how can you keep a puppy locked up all day and not let it get out and run? Try telling either of my dogs they should be taking it easy. Not only do they have this run, but they are constantly playing during the day - again try telling them not to and they will sit and sulk. And yes, the little one hasn't been fully vaccinated and wont be for another 8 weeks. The older puppy is and goes to dog obediance training. We also have a cat and are surrounded by neighbours dogs, either parties or even the older dog could bring disease home even if i locked the younger one up all day. As for people saying don't get your puppy a friend, i disagree. I got the second dog to keep the first one company (plus she was just way too cute to not get). They love each other and are almost inseperable. These are dogs that we are talking about. I love my dogs and would do anything and spend anything on them to make sure they are loved, happy and healthy but wrap them up in cotton wool and they will eventually break!