Whats Your Morning Routine With A Puppy?

[Michelleva]

I'm trying to work out the best way to wear Georgia out before I go out. I'm a stay at home Mum mostly, but I've had to do quite a bit of work away from home this week, as we were short-staffed in our business. As a result Georgia's been barking alot, so I need to work out the best way to keep her entertained/tired while I'm away. Hopefully things will be a bit more normal this week, but she needs to learn to be quiet while I'm away.

She turns on the guard dog mentality whenever she's outside. Which is fine, except she'll bark at anything. I thought I was making good progress, but thats obviously while I'm home, which from the sounds of it goes out the window when I leave.

I need some help to get this in check, before it causes lots of problems. So if you go to work each day, whats your morning routine to get pup ready for you to leave?

Thanks so much,

Michelle

[cowanbree]

I don't put my sheltie puppies outside, they bark too much and are stimulated by everything. They are kenneled in a area which is well away from neighbours and front of the property. Failing that I would pen them inside

[Michelleva]

The only place I could contain her indoors would be either the laundry or bathroom. At what age do you consider them able to contain their excitement cowanbree?

Georgia is 5 months old now.

[aussielover]

Perhaps leave her with a kong stuffed with yummy food? Although I know some dogs just never get into kongs. Is your fence see-through? perhaps you could board it up for a bit so she doesn't get distracted?

At 5 months she should be able to contain her excitement somewhat.

If the barking is constant when outside, or occurs more than 75% of the time, it might be worth it to get the help of a trainer or behaviourist.

[Guest belgian.blue]

What is she currently given to do when you leave the house?

I find a kong or two, frozen the night before with something she really loves, cardboard to tear up, a big bouncy ball, a radio so she thinks someone is home?

As I have an adult dog and a puppy it isn't too bad, they amuse each other but they are both go outside for a pee, back in for breakfast, then normally 5 minutes crazy time, then come back in my room and help me get dressed. Badger will normally then just chill on my bed while I'm getting ready.

Then they both go out while I brush my teeth and about 5 mintues before I leave the house.

I head out just before I go, don't really make a fuss, throw some kibble on the grass to distract them while I leave, quietly say have a nice day and just leave.

Today Badger found how much fun an empty plastic water bottle can be! He was having a ball! So I highly recommend one of those. Maybe with some kibble in it?

They don't make a sound when I leave and aren't making a sound when I get home from work. The neighbours have never complained.

[cowanbree]

Does she have free range in the back yard? Shelties are barkers, it is not that they are bored but rather easily stimulated. Is it possibly to contain her in the yard away from neighbours etc?

[Michelleva]

She has free range of most of the back yard. We've just fenced off the vege garden. But I was thinking of moving that fence tomorrow, effectively cutting the backyard in half. Its still plenty of room for her, as we have a decent sized yard, but that way she won't be able to get to the back fence at all, which is where most of her excitement is coming from.

I have some new ideas and different things to try, so I'll keep working with her. Thanks for everyone's input, I appreciate it.

[sas]

The problem that you have from being home alot is that you needed to allow the pup to have outside time everyday even when you're home. I really reccomend you start doing this straight away.

If the pup is showing signs of seperation anxiety you can give them all the things in the world other dogs will love and they won't care.

If you like e-mail me at [email protected] and I can send you on setting up a dog to be be ok with being left alone.

If the dog is not showing signs of anxiety and is just barking because it likes the sound of its' own voice you could try the following things:

1) Scattering kibble throughout the yard to keep pup busy

2) Change your leave routine so you're not triggering your dogs behaviour

3) Try Kongs/Kong Despensers or treat balls chew toys

4) Don't give too many toys, only 2 or 3 a day and rotate them otherwise the dogs loose interest in them

5) Consider the Aussie Home Alone toys

6) Sandpit & water shell - you have to teach the dog how to use it, you can then hide toys and treats in it.

7) Ball dispensers

8) A dog walker to come in to see your pup and take it for a little walk

Aren't Shelties the most barky dogs on the planet that are normally debarked? LOL

Edited May 30, 2010 by sas

[Michelleva]

Sas, what we're experiencing with our pup is definitely NOT seperation anxiety. I've had a dog which suffered from that and I know the difference. She's just easily excited by outside noises, like other dogs and kids in backyards. She also thinks its her job to guard the property from these things she hears.

I've been doing many of the things you listed and I am already seeing an improvement in her behaviour.