Our Dogs Are Eating Our House!

[bubbley]

We normally spend time with them in the morning about 1 hour and then 4-6 hours at night. We leave them alone anywhere from 7am-6pm Mon-Fri but on the weekend we are home almost all day so we spend it with the pups.

11 hours is a long time to leave these dogs locked in a sunroom, is there any reason why they cannot be outside? I also agree with the others, the dogs need to get out and about, they are lacking stimulation and are bored. Locky is probably 'unsociable' because he doesn't get out enough and hasn't had enough exposure to other dogs from an early age. It's also not a good idea to have two dogs constantly together, they have to learn that being alone is ok. Walking them separately a few times a week and training them separately should make them more independent.

With Locky barking the way he does it would be an annoyance to the neighbours to have him in the yard all day. We were also told by the trainer to keep them out of the sun or their fur will fade and they are a chocolate brown so she thought it’d be a shame. Also I do not want to risk theft while we are out. In the area we live it’s sad but true, small or expensive dogs do get stolen. The sunroom is fairly large and there really isn’t any other safe option at this stage.

Locky got along fine with the puppies at puppy school and the dog next door, it’s only been since Simon (my partners mums poodle) snapped at him that he has become wary of other dogs. They also don’t seem to mind mingling at the groomers which is good to know. I need to find more dogs in the area we can say hello to.

[persephone]

if Locky barks when we walk him should I get a soft muzzle for him for walks?

This NOT a good idea.

It will not teach him anything.

It will NOT let him pant/breathe properly, and he may overheat and get very ill.

It may also increase his fear.

I will again recommend you get a trainer in privately... one who can see your dogs, talk with you, and help you manage these niggling problems ..for the longterm health & happiness of your boys

[bubbley]

if Locky barks when we walk him should I get a soft muzzle for him for walks?

This NOT a good idea.

It will not teach him anything.

It will NOT let him pant/breathe properly, and he may overheat and get very ill.

It may also increase his fear.

I will again recommend you get a trainer in privately... one who can see your dogs, talk with you, and help you manage these niggling problems ..for the longterm health & happiness of your boys

This is what I thought so I never wanted to use it, but some people said it would stop him.... I just didn't feel confortable with it though.

I have a little look on the forum for a trainer see if there is one in my area.

in the mean time I will pop out to bunnings and get something to nail over the frames to stop them from making it worse then focus on getting them better!

I just thought it was odd that they liked bitter bite, Lime gel and chilli! Trust these cheeky monkeys to like it though

[OSoSwift]

Your pupies do need to get out every day. They don't need really long walks, but they do need stimulation.

I would consider taking them to training classes, or maybe even getting someone in to help with the barking problem. I would think though that they are under stimulated and are creating their own entertainment.

You may find if the puppies have access to the yard a lot of the time with many interactive toys, they may not bark anywhere near as much.

Paddlock your gates, or maybe make them a run off the sunroom door, so they can get outside, but not where people can take them.

You can get sunscreen from Plush Puppy for coats prone to fading, but really at the end of the day I would prefer a happy bleached out dog, than a chocolate bored one.

Buy lots of hard to destroy toys and rotate them either every day or every couple, so the dogs think they are getting new ones often. Maybe put their morning dry food into a buster cube or treat ball so they have to work for it a little bit.

[poodlefan]

When we have walked them in the past they have been pretty good on the lead and collar. They like to walk next to us but pally likes to walk infront of Locky and Locky likes to walk behind him.

The only issue we have is sometimes Locky gets a little fed up or freaked out and stops and doesn't move. It doesn't happen very much but that is the worst thing they do.

I hadn't seen a martingale before. They seem like a good idea for them to become better trained on the lead.

Another question... if Locky barks when we walk him should I get a soft muzzle for him for walks? or what other way can I stop this? (we would try the water bottle but THEY LOVE WATER they get so excited when they hear the bath that one jumps into the bath to get wet)

Just to make sure we're both talking about the right thing, I'm talking about a limited slip collar, not a head halter.

Locky probably barks because he's either over excited or frightened. Punishing him is not the answer. Getting him used to new sights and sounds (including oher dogs at a distance) will help. Don't force him to meet other dogs - let him see and then move on.

All brown poodles fade. Better that they get some exercise outside and lose a bit of colour. They are desexed and therefore of little interest to thieves. Put in a dog door and let them work off some energy in the yard.

Edited November 12, 2009 by poodlefan

[bubbley]

Just to make sure we're both talking about the right thing, I'm talking about a limited slip collar, not a head halter.

Locky probably barks because he's either over excited or frightened. Punishing him is not the answer. Getting him used to new sights and sounds (including oher dogs at a distance) will help. Don't force him to meet other dogs - let him see and then move on.

All brown poodles fade. Better that they get some exercise outside and lose a bit of colour. They are desexed and therefore of little interest to thieves. Put in a dog door and let them work off some energy in the yard.

yeah I googled it as I didn't know what it was... I was never a fan when people suggested a muzzle for him but that collar seems like a good idea, just in case he does have a minor freak out and pull back while walking. They are pretty good with the stop command so if they are running away from us we just yell out STOP and they stop dead in their tracks.

It rained as soon as I got home so no walk last night but I did look out in the back yard to work out a solution. We are going to move the gate to behind the Gas Metre so we can keep it locked and make it a solid gate. We are also thinking of fencing off half the yard so they still have a huge area but just cant access the fences next door where there are other dogs and a shift working man sleeping.

Yeah some people have tried to give us tips for how to stop him barking but they never differentiated between excited barking and acceptable barking and naughty barking. I don't want to confuse Locky I am a fan of positive training I don't like to punish them I just don't reward bad behaviour.

Thank you all for your advice :D it really does help!!!

[WreckitWhippet]

Dogs don't care if it's raining, take them for a walk anyway. You are less likely to see others out walking while it's raining and it's the perfect opportunity for them to see the world.

[poodlefan]

Just to make sure we're both talking about the right thing, I'm talking about a limited slip collar, not a head halter.

Locky probably barks because he's either over excited or frightened. Punishing him is not the answer. Getting him used to new sights and sounds (including oher dogs at a distance) will help. Don't force him to meet other dogs - let him see and then move on.

All brown poodles fade. Better that they get some exercise outside and lose a bit of colour. They are desexed and therefore of little interest to thieves. Put in a dog door and let them work off some energy in the yard.

yeah I googled it as I didn't know what it was... I was never a fan when people suggested a muzzle for him but that collar seems like a good idea, just in case he does have a minor freak out and pull back while walking. They are pretty good with the stop command so if they are running away from us we just yell out STOP and they stop dead in their tracks.

It rained as soon as I got home so no walk last night but I did look out in the back yard to work out a solution. We are going to move the gate to behind the Gas Metre so we can keep it locked and make it a solid gate. We are also thinking of fencing off half the yard so they still have a huge area but just cant access the fences next door where there are other dogs and a shift working man sleeping.

Yeah some people have tried to give us tips for how to stop him barking but they never differentiated between excited barking and acceptable barking and naughty barking. I don't want to confuse Locky I am a fan of positive training I don't like to punish them I just don't reward bad behaviour.

Thank you all for your advice :D it really does help!!!

Sounds like a good plan Bubbley. SBT is right about rain.. and even five minutes walking is better than none at all.

[bubbley]

Dogs don't care if it's raining, take them for a walk anyway. You are less likely to see others out walking while it's raining and it's the perfect opportunity for them to see the world.

I am not going to walk outside in an electrical storm in a park full of trees that is subject to flooding. I'll walk them in a light rain, but not in a storm. Sorry it's just not worth the risk.

[kiesha09]

Your pups sound very bored. You need to provide them with much more stimulation. I would suggest that because your Locky is understimulated and undersocialised that is why he is barking while out on walks. Socialisation is for life not just the 6 weeks of puppy school.

Kongs are great toys but you need to make them interesting to play with. So make sure you stuff them with something. I googled some kong stuffing ideas for you and this is what I found Kong stuffing ideas.

Other stimulating toys like the Kibble Nibble or Everlasting treat ball or Aussie dog home alone toys are fantatic.

It would be great if you could join a training club to get your dogs out frequently. This will also help you with more ideas on how to give them more stimulation.

Please remember that just because they are small dogs doesn't mean they don't need excercise. And this means out of the house. I can understand you not wanting to go out in an electrical storm but really they need to go out every other day raining or not. If its hot then you might just have to get up early to walk them.

Lastly, you really need to do things with each dog seperately every day! I too had this problem initially with my dogs (even though I did things with them seperately 3-4 times a week) and it will only get worse. Imagine if one of them needs to go to the vet for a few days later on down the track, what are you going to do about the howling, winging puppy at home then? You need to train this now. If I were you I would walk them seperately each day (give the dog at home something really really good like a meaty bone, or really yummy kong) plus train them seperately and even play with one outside while the other is left inside and then swap them over etc. At the start you may only want to seperate them for a few minutes and then gradually increase the time.

I hope some of this information helps you. Here is a list of dog trainers in NSW (which I think this is where you are).

[bubbley]

Other stimulating toys like the Kibble Nibble or Everlasting treat ball or Aussie dog home alone toys are fantatic.

It would be great if you could join a training club to get your dogs out frequently. This will also help you with more ideas on how to give them more stimulation.

Lastly, you really need to do things with each dog seperately every day! I too had this problem initially with my dogs (even though I did things with them seperately 3-4 times a week) and it will only get worse. Imagine if one of them needs to go to the vet for a few days later on down the track, what are you going to do about the howling, winging puppy at home then? You need to train this now. If I were you I would walk them seperately each day (give the dog at home something really really good like a meaty bone, or really yummy kong) plus train them seperately and even play with one outside while the other is left inside and then swap them over etc. At the start you may only want to seperate them for a few minutes and then gradually increase the time.

I hope some of this information helps you. Here is a list of dog trainers in NSW (which I think this is where you are).

Thank you

Some of those toys look like a good idea. I think we are going to try to take turns walking one alone and I’ll stay with the other one and play with him out the back.. then swap. Then eventually both walk one then swap with the other pup alone at home. I’m going to set up a video camera to see what he does when left alone to see how he reacts that way I know what else I can do to make it easier for them.

Thank you again

[OSoSwift]

Sounds like a plan Bubbly

Hope you get it all sorted soon!

[kiesha09]

Bubbley, great idea. I also just want to say that you are not going to have to walk them seperately forever. I certainly don't walk mine seperately anymore really (maybe once a week). It is more just until they get used to doing things seperately. However, having said that, I still do at least one training session each day seperately and one agility class seperately.

[persephone]

That sounds a good plan, Bubbley

[all that glitters]

Dogs don't care if it's raining, take them for a walk anyway. You are less likely to see others out walking while it's raining and it's the perfect opportunity for them to see the world.

I am not going to walk outside in an electrical storm in a park full of trees that is subject to flooding. I'll walk them in a light rain, but not in a storm. Sorry it's just not worth the risk.

No one said you had to walk them in an electrical storm, that would be stupid!

I agree on the walks and even short ones are beneficial. My shepherd is not high energy, we walk around the block every single morning at 7am, it's only a 25-30 minute walk but it satisfies her migration/out-of-home stimulation and it's also very relaxing for both of us. If she was more high energy or actually asked for walks (she doesn't ask for walks at all, phew lol) I would walk her much longer, but for now she's happy with the block walk every morning, a 15 minute session of hard fetch, and then she is happy to sleep and behave herself for the 10hours she is alone (with no other dog for company either mind you). She has never ever chewed doorframes or anything that isn't hers for that matter, and I put it down to her having enough stimulation and all her needs being met