apocalypsepwnie Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I have a 10 week old ambull puppy. ATM he spends alone time inside when my partner and go to work. Due to our schedules he's only at home 3 days a week for 8 hours at a time alone. We're also careful not to take him on street walks on these days as I've been told that walking them as their main exercise will cause them to escape, I don't want him to associate alone time with leaving the house so we play in the backyard for at least an hour instead and do leash training. He's a little small to leave in the yard alone because he can slip under the front gate. However he's growing fast and will soon be too tall to be left inside with just the pen fence. He'll be able to get over it and has escaped by pushing it out of the doorway (hello poop all over the house because he can't get back in to his pee pads). How old has everyone else left their pups in the yard alone? Our other option is to set him up in the double garage. It's lovely and cool in there and has a screen door for external access to allow lots of light and cool air. Is the opinion it might be better to do that to transition him out of the house? We're sending him to doggy day care one day a week when he's been to puppy pre school. They don't have a specific age, just that they have basic obedience and they are vaccinated past 12 weeks. Did anyone send their pups around 3-4 months old? I want him to be socialised with dogs and other people without us being there as much as possible. I also want him to have exciting things to do so he doesn't start boredom behaviours and habits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Be careful with the doggy daycare idea. I have worked at a doggy daycare before and personally would not send my dogs to one. My experience with them shows them to be a very stimulating environment which not all dogs enjoy, and there are often a lot of dogs in together, which not all dogs enjoy either. Why do you want him socialised with other dogs and people without you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apocalypsepwnie Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 My neighbour's kids have a bad habit of inviting themselves in. As much as the neighbour doesn't like it, they still do it. I'd hate for him to bite the child or anything as I know my neighbour wouldn't take too kindly. He already threatened the previous tenant, the owner of the house and his friend, with reporting the dog they had. We're also getting our lawn mowed while we aren't home and have a cleaner who sometimes visits when we aren't there. I don't want him to be aggressive with them. We didn't get a dog for protection of the home. I have no interest in that at all. There's also many dogs in our neighbourhood. One either side of us. I don't want them barking at each other all day and if another dog comes in the yard I don't want them to fight if possible. I basically want to be able to trust my dog when I am not with him. The daycare he'll be going to is highly recommended by a friend who is a dog behaviouralist. She sends her dogs there twice a week. They don't just have one large area but separated ones for cases as have been mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 How would other dogs and kids be getting into your yard? It there any way you can lock your gates? we do that anytime we're not home. I think the garage with yard access sounds good, as soon as he's big enough to not be able to escape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) My neighbour's kids have a bad habit of inviting themselves in. As much as the neighbour doesn't like it, they still do it. I'd hate for him to bite the child or anything as I know my neighbour wouldn't take too kindly. He already threatened the previous tenant, the owner of the house and his friend, with reporting the dog they had. We're also getting our lawn mowed while we aren't home and have a cleaner who sometimes visits when we aren't there. I don't want him to be aggressive with them. We didn't get a dog for protection of the home. I have no interest in that at all. There's also many dogs in our neighbourhood. One either side of us. I don't want them barking at each other all day and if another dog comes in the yard I don't want them to fight if possible. I basically want to be able to trust my dog when I am not with him. The daycare he'll be going to is highly recommended by a friend who is a dog behaviouralist. She sends her dogs there twice a week. They don't just have one large area but separated ones for cases as have been mentioned. That is a tough situation. I think the issue with the neighbours is important to settle for long term happiness of everyone, that is dangerous. The daycare I worked at, and others I have seen, all have more than one area, but I still saw a lot of dogs that were stressed just by being there. Maybe I'm paranoid and a control freak :laugh: but I trust my dogs alone in the yard far more than I do in a situation where they are being looked after by people I don't know, surrounded by a lot of dogs that I also don't know, while I am not there. Edited January 22, 2014 by Kavik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apocalypsepwnie Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 If the gate is locked the kids simply climb over the fence. The dogs next door can sometimes get in by jumping the fence or digging under it. I think the garage is the way to go. He's on his last attempt at being secured inside alone. If he gets out this time, he's only alone for a few hours, he's in the garage. He never tries to escape when we are home and he's in the pen/crate which would be quite easy for him. He's in the laundry with the door blocked with the pen which is 3 times bigger than the pen/crate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Why are the kids coming into your yard? What is so interesting there for them? Jumping the fence uninvited when you have said you don't want them to is not showing respect for others' property. And if you ever want to leave your dog safely in your yard I think you will have to address both the kids coming in and the next door neighbour dog getting in as well. I would be having a serious conversation with all of them. It is not safe for anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apocalypsepwnie Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 My neighbour's kids have a bad habit of inviting themselves in. As much as the neighbour doesn't like it, they still do it. I'd hate for him to bite the child or anything as I know my neighbour wouldn't take too kindly. He already threatened the previous tenant, the owner of the house and his friend, with reporting the dog they had. We're also getting our lawn mowed while we aren't home and have a cleaner who sometimes visits when we aren't there. I don't want him to be aggressive with them.We didn't get a dog for protection of the home. I have no interest in that at all. There's also many dogs in our neighbourhood. One either side of us. I don't want them barking at each other all day and if another dog comes in the yard I don't want them to fight if possible.I basically want to be able to trust my dog when I am not with him. The daycare he'll be going to is highly recommended by a friend who is a dog behaviouralist. She sends her dogs there twice a week. They don't just have one large area but separated ones for cases as have been mentioned.That is a tough situation. I think the issue with the neighbours is important to settle for long term happiness of everyone, that is dangerous.The daycare I worked at, and others I have seen, all have more than one area, but I still saw a lot of dogs that were stressed just by being there. Maybe I'm paranoid and a control freak :laugh: but I trust my dogs alone in the yard far more than I do in a situation where they are being looked after by people I don't know, surrounded by a lot of dogs that I also don't know, while I am not there. They are only little kids of 2 and 5 years old. I've already asked them to make sure their kids don't come in without letting me know by coming to the front door however right after that the 2 year old was in their yard without supervision and was pulled into our yard by his sister. It took 15 minutes for the parents to realise where their kid was. They are 'softly softly' parents and expect a safe environment to be provided for them rather than taking the responsibility for their children. I accept that daycare might not be for him and trust the people there to let me know. I also accept that dogs there might not be appropraite in that situation and things might happen. I can only try and have heard very good reviews, they are quite receptive of dog behaviours and asking people not to bring their dogs back because they are not suitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 That is not a good situation with the kids at all! Very dangerous parenting. How high is your fence and what material? I have 6 ft colourbond and two kids - 6 and 2 1/2. There is no way my 6 yr old could climb my fence! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apocalypsepwnie Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 Why are the kids coming into your yard? What is so interesting there for them? Jumping the fence uninvited when you have said you don't want them to is not showing respect for others' property. And if you ever want to leave your dog safely in your yard I think you will have to address both the kids coming in and the next door neighbour dog getting in as well. I would be having a serious conversation with all of them. It is not safe for anyone. TBH I have no idea. I understood when my step kids were there but they have done it since. There is NOTHING in my yard except an old tennis ball and some stacks of firewood. I am very aware it's not safe. I know that no matter how well I dog is trained sometimes things can happen. Being little kids they have no idea how to interpret dog behaviour. We're already addressing the dogs getting in by patching up the fence and blocking any holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apocalypsepwnie Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 our fence is about 4 feet and is wire and steel. I know there was a discussion between the owners about changing it but the ones either side had no interest. The owner of our property had an escape artist staffy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burkes Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I"m not a big fan of doggy day care rooms either. We are seeing so many over stimulated dogs come out of them who have learnt that every time they see another dog its crazy game time. Creates problems such as pulling and lunging on lead when they see other dogs. I've just got a new puppy and when I'm at work I've paid for a trainer to come in and just do some basic training and play with the pup, as well as a feed. Its only $10 more than a day care style and she will get one on one attention as well as basic training at the same time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apocalypsepwnie Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 Thanks! I didn't know that was an option. We'll certainly look into it if the day care doesn't work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 our fence is about 4 feet and is wire and steel. may I politely, but strongly suggest that a second MUCH higher fence be erected inside your property to protect your dog from possible repercussions after mistakes. It is a LOT easier to prevent things from happening ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Sorry, I don't have anything to add to what others have said...but I was just wondering if you could tell me what an ambull puppy is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Sorry, I don't have anything to add to what others have said...but I was just wondering if you could tell me what an ambull puppy is I assume it is an American Bulldog :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasareina Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Sorry, I don't have anything to add to what others have said...but I was just wondering if you could tell me what an ambull puppy is and a photo :D ... everybody loves puppy photos! We had our pups at home by themselves in the yard by about 15 weeks i think. We sectioned off a smaller internal area of the yard with access to the outside laundry for them. I would think that if small children can make their way into your yard, than a curious puppy will have no issue getting out. The garage sounds like a much better option. I have 2 staffies - one is very outgoing and is friends with every dog she meets. However, Hunter is a lot more sooky and quite anxious meeting other dogs these days. I think in hindsight we probably tried to 'socialise' him the wrong way when he was younger by taking him to dog parks to interact with other dogs. While he enjoyed himself at the parks, he was always very submissive, and as he has got older he has turned from submissive to defensive and will occasionally react negatively to other dogs if he feels anxious or intimidated. We have to be very careful now about how he interact with other dogs. To get to the point re daycare - maybe see how he goes at the puppy pre-school in terms of how he handles being around a number of other dogs first before making any decisions about sending him to daycare. He may be like Juno and love being surrounded by other dogs, or he may find it scary and stressful which may cause more harm than good in terms of socialising him for the future. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apocalypsepwnie Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 Yep american bulldog. I suffer from anxiety so having a little time waster around who just loves every second of my time helps heaps. He's a great ice breaker when in public. Thanks for the suggestions and advice! I will keep an eye on him with puppy pre school. So far with other dogs, big and small, he's gotten on well with them. He doesn't show any submissive/dominate tendancies from what I'm aware and has reacted well with a dog who does have some obsessive/aggressive tendancies around toys and space. I think he approaches appropriately with neutral body stance and pace. He allows other dogs to give him a good sniff and will present his butt without any issues heh. He doesn't get too licky/jumpy and backs off when he's given the cue. Unfortunately it's a rental property so I don't have an option with fencing. I am going to try and have a serious chat with the neighbour and hope it's not taken as 'you're a bad parent' but a concern for their children and my dog. I'd NEVER let my step kids go out of the yard without permission and I don't let them in the yard even without the dog unsupervised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lasareina Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 naww cutie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Your brave having this breed & a 4 ft fence .I would seriously looking at options for keeping it in . We board a number of American Bulldogs & they are big power dogs that will clear a 4 ft fence easily & the more it can view on the other side the more issues you may * i stress you may have As for the kids lock the gate ,what parents let kids that age just go into someone else yard anyway . Your pup is going to be big in no time so you seriously need to address the kids coming in now We're also careful not to take him on street walks on these days as I've been told that walking them as their main exercise will cause them to escape, I don't want him to associate alone time with leaving the house so we play in the backyard for at least an hour instead and do leash training. This isn't true but a bored dog will look to escape a backyard becomes boring very quickly . if pup has had all its jabs then a short walk outside will not make it won't to leave . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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