SunnyCoastCav

Right. I see that me reacting to rudeness that was directed at me in the first place is causing me to be under attack. Well, that's fine folks. I have a good vet now, and I think I'll be getting my advice from him, rather than this place, which like some forums I've encountered tends to have a gang mentality. You all seemed to have missed the "see what I did there" to demonstrate that I could use sneering and judgement like Teebs did. Im leaving my dog indoors, that's the best place for him while I'm out, and that was all I wanted to confirm. I also never used the word "dumped", and one thing I can't stand is hypocrisy and rudeness which this place seems rife with. I was hoping to show off some photos of my treasured pup (the nicer ones had asked) but I won't bother now.

What type of dogs so you have Teebs? I have a Cavalier (8 weeks old) and really, they're not an "outside" dog, he will not be crated during the day, and only in his pen when i leave the house. I am home a lot, with a secure yard but I do have to leave the house as I have a teenage daughter who has a busy life and we all need to eat.. I also live in Queensland, we have heat, toads, snakes and ticks to think about, And even secure, dogs can still be stolen from yards, especially a friendly dog like a Cav. Yesterday, my puppy had several good runs in the backyard, chasing leaves, toys, and myself, I've started reinforcing basic training like I did with my first Cav, he has not had one accident in the house as he's been regularly taken outside, he had a good sniff, listened to the other dogs around our house bark etc. We live near plenty of beaches so once he's vaccinated he will be off there too, as well as lots of walks, and I am thinking of training him perhaps to be a therapy dog or a bit of junior showing for my daughter. Now you know the whole situation. Please don't be judgemental - not everyone just wants to plonk their dogs in the back yard, some want them as companions, as dogs are meant to be. (See what I did there?) Thanks to those who have given me helpful advice.

I think I'm going to crate him at night and put him in a pen during the day when I have to leave him. That way, he has the security to sleep at night in a cosy den, and the pen allows him to be confined during the day but he can move around well also. The PP40 sized carrier can be used for travel and visiting etc. I have noticed that opinions regarding crating/leaving a puppy alone are quite strong and diverse. I can definitely see a place for crating at night.

Also, the little beastie is not eating from a dish, but he will take food by hand. He eats very well when I do that but not from his dish. I must say for a boy he is the most delicate eater XD I know it's normal for them to go off their tucker when they first go into their new home, and they'll eat when they're hungry. He's currently on Advantage puppy kibble (moistened) and tinned food with a little sunflower oil as per the breeders instructions. I've tried a few different dishes but he'll daintily lick at it and then just move away and look at it. He's done plenty of poos since he's been there (no runny ones, in fact a little firm although I offer plenty of water). I'll try putting him in his pen and leaving him there with his food. 20 minutes I'll remove it and try again a bit later (hour or two?) Oy XD

Perhaps mention to your in laws they might like to get their own dog? And I agree there needs to be some way he is kept to your property, either a dog run or some such. It is also a little unfair that your MIL is encouraging your dog so much as well, no matter how much she likes him it is still your dog. And as for the unsupportive partner who backs up his parents over you - been there, bought the t shirt

I measured my PP40 crate and its almost as big as the wire crate size recommended for a Cav. O.o. Is there any point in me having both? And yes, photos soon, as soon as I can get to a computer and upload them to photobucket, which I don't really like XD

It does become a problem when it is more than one person and its on more than one route. Also, it's not always possible when you're halfway home or on your way there to know if a dog is properly contained on a regular basis. I've been caught out this way more than once. I live in an estate that has small front yards, in fact, not really large blocks of land TBH overall. It's also about being considerate to the community at large; not just about yourself.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't leaving him "home alone" too long. Lots of functions/dance concerts coming up! I also have to wait for my daughter at dancing and that may mean I have to leave pup for three or for hours - he will not be in a crate, but in an open pen inside the house. Crating I think will come a bit later. Also, wondering what size I should get for an adult Cavalier? I think a 30 inch was recommended. As mentioned earlier, he has a PP40 sized hard carrier which I may start introducing as a inside kennel as well. He will not be an outside dog at any stage.

His pen is wire, 36 inches high (8 panels), and I will make sure there are things up against it. There are baby gates blocking off the bedrooms and one half of the house. I'm not sure how he could "get out" also, but you never know! Due to being in Queensland, I didn't want to shut him in a small room, where he is is well ventilated and on tiles so its cool. I didn't want to crate him yet as he's quite active, but as I said earlier, perhaps I should try introducing his hard carrier as a kennel within his pen? He has lots of chewy things, plenty of water and a blanket and toy from his breeder. I'm leaving him in his pen while I work around the house for short periods today also.

My Cav pup Cody arrived in our home on Monday. First night, he had two whimpering sessions. Second night, not a peep. At night he sleeps in a pen inside the house with wee pads (now replaced by butcher paper), plenty of toys and adequate water. He has not had an accident in the house. I take him out to toilet after he's woken up, had a drink/food or between longer wake periods. During the day he sleeps in his bed either in his pen or in the lounge room if I'm in there. He's eating OK (poos have been fine, no runs), he has a play outside and seems to be very happy so far. I leave him in different parts of the house for short periods and he has not fretted. Question is, I have to leave him on Friday and Saturday for a couple of hours for commitments that were booked long before he arrived. I want to leave him for the shortest time possible, so does anyone have any tips to make sure he's OK? I have a PP40 sized carrier and am wondering if I should also introduce this within his pen. Thanks.

I took delivery of the bargain plastic crate today ($50, never used). It looks huge at the moment for my little pup though XD. It's PP40 size so it should be big enough.

I had a relative who called their dog "Shed". Because... It lived in the shed.

It's also annoying for neighbours who have to put up with a bored dog who barks at everything that goes past its front fence. Getting startled by a dog barking its head off at you on your walks is no fun either. I have a smaller breed dog who in a few weeks i would like to take on walks around here, but too many dogs are left in the front yard that get out. And big dogs too.

I have my little Cav pup in a playpen for when I have to leave in and to sleep,, but I may introduce a crate when he is older so he can sleep next to me or when I have to take him places. The crate should really be used only for the smallest amount of time possible or overnight for sleeping (and personally I would wait until the pup doesn't need to go toilet all the time!). And I hate to say it, but why get such a large breed in a small unit and yard? You can love a dog breed but if its not practical, the dog has to come first. I have a house with only 2 people and a reasonable backyard and I worried my little Cav wouldnt have enough room :p.