Dogs have ruined christmas

[QueenOfPharts]

I know there is no such thing as a bad dog(s) just bad owners so yes I am aware this is all my fault.
Here goes our lovely pile of Christmas presents under the tree has been destroyed and ruined by the dogs cant work out what was from who and will cost 100s to replace.
I have 2 chocolate Labrador dogs (mother and daughter) aged 7 and 2 and after a catalogue of awful stuff, running away, destruction, defication causing huge expense I no longer can cope. We have 2 young dc and me and my dh work full time. I try and take them on a decent walk everyday I dont always manage but its usually 40mins-hour each day. Its tricky in the winter so sometimes just take them 10mins round the block.
I dont know what im asking but any advice of sympathy would be very much appreciated.

[Orlande]

They must be bored shitless.

[Piehunter]

Do you not have a dog Walker? You can't leave dogs for 10 hours a day cooped up and not expect them to defecate and destroy things... The absolute bare minimum is a dog Walker to let them out and take on a brief walk, then one of you needs to walk them at night too, not 10 minutes, at least 45... If you can't do that then you need to re-home, it's not fair on them.

[FrederickCreeding]

I'm afraid it sounds as if you're not meeting their needs. Most labs I know need 1-2 hours of walks a day, not 10 minutes. It's not really surprising they are ruining things at home with so little exercise. Where are they during the day when you and your dh work - or does one of you work nights?

[ScreamingValenta]

Oh dear, I'm sorry this has happened.

You say you and DH work full-time - who is with the dogs during the day? If they're left alone, that's probably the root of the problem - they will get bored and stressed which will make them destructive.

[Waitingonasmiley42]

If you are going to rehome then do it sooner rather than later. People might want a 7 year old but are less likely to want a dog much older.

I know how awful it can be when dogs make a mess, but if they have form then leaving presents out was unwise.

[WhyDontYouComeOnOver]

Why did you breed from the mother if you already had one?

[Hoppinggreen]

So you know it’s your fault - what are you going to do about it?

[ArabellaUmbrella]

Poor dogs

[BadgerSandwich]

Two bored, understimulated dogs and you decide to leave them with access to Christmas gifts? Seriously, what did you expect?!

[WeeBeasties]

Poor dogs

[Fairylea]

When you’re both at work full time what happens to the dogs? Do they have dog day care / a dog walker ?

[Cuppateeee]

I know it can be hard but think about the dogs. If you can afford a dog walker then this could help, also you have to start dog proofing, as if you have a toddler in the house. Maybe install a stair gate and then things like presents could be stored away from them to avoid temptation.

[3luckystars]

Im sorry you are dealing with such stress, but it is not really the poor dogs fault, they are only animals.

If you are not able to manage them, than its the kindest thing to move them elsewhere where they can get their needs met. It isnt your fault, but you should not get another dog again if you rehome these ones.

Good luck and happy Christmas x

[hotstepper4]

Bet your the neighbour with the barking dogs that ruins it for the houses around them

2 labs need long walks and company. Rehome them. You are not a responsible dog owner.

[Almostthere15]

I know you want some sympathy and I understand you're frazzled and upset about the Christmas presents so have a cup of tea and a cry.

Hard truth though you aren't meeting those dogs needs. The longest walk they are getting is really the absolute minimum they should be having, and if youre honest with yourself I bet those 10 min walks are more the norm. I would start with making sure they have a proper (over an hour and ideally off the lead at times if they have proper recall) walks every day. If you can't manage it you'll have to pay a dog walker. Then in the new year see if you can find a local obedience class.

I think you need to honestly evaluate whether you can give them a decent life. They are playing up because their need a aren't met. If you can't then look at a reputable rescue.

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

Your own fault. The dogs haven't ruined Christmas, you've given them a miserable life!

As for the presents, have they chewed them all up? If not just rewrap, don't worry about what came from who. If they have then you'll just have to take it on the chin and not have those presents, you don't need to replace them (although if you have small children you may want to buy them some bits!)

[Iputthescrewinthetuna]

Yeah, presents shouldn't have gone under the tree whilst you have dogs! Common sense really.

1 walk a day for 'sometimes 10 mins' is just not enough!
Being alone for all day..far too long.

Can you imagine holding your pee and poo in for 8 - 10 hours?
Can you imagine only having 10 mins of exercise?

It's not the dogs who have ruined Christmas. As blunt as this sounds, you have ruined the dogs. You say you can no longer cope, have you thought about how your dogs are coping?

[peachypetite]

You were really silly to leave the presents there with the poor dogs cooped up all day. Why on earth would you have two labradors when you can't meet their needs. The poor things deserve better.

[Soubriquet]

Why leave things the dogs can chew at their height?

I know if I leave things around mine will chew so I don’t do it

Your dogs need walking everyday. Hire a dog walker if you can’t manage it

My two chi’s need walking everyday so two labs definitely do.

[BiscuitDrama]

Why is walking them in winter harder?

[mammmamia]

Do you honestly work full time and not have any help for the dogs?
I’m speechless, I would love to have a dog but I would never consider it if I worked and had no arrangements for it

[Bringbackthestrioes]

Our chocolate lab needed at least two long walks a day come rain, sleet or snow, and was never alone for more than 4 hours. My sympathy is with the poor dogs.

[QueenOfPharts]

Yes I really need the judgement do you not think I'm already beating myself up enough! Thank you for the few kind words and helpful advice.
To set the record straight, I obviously let dogs out but they do not stay outside and bark.
Yes we work full-time hours over 4 days There is usually one of us, off work, wfh or mil there but agreed not specifically looking after the dogs. I do think a dog walker may be a plan in the new year.

[userschmoozer]

Please contact Labrador Rescue and dogs Trust asap and rehome them.

10 minutes round the block isn't anywhere near sufficient, and you haven't said anything about how much training or work they get. My only sympathy is for the dogs.

[VeganCow]

Call yourself a dog owner? Can I ask you why you even got the dogs in the first place? My friend runs her own dog sitting business and people pay her £15-20 a day to leave their dogs with her and they get a walk a day off lead on a field - of a minimum of 1 hour and in the summer she can be on the field 2.5 hours. These people know that their dogs are like their children and so part of the family and cannot be just left all day at home, alone.
And why did you get labs? You picked a working dog. What you're doing is cruel and you deserve what happened, its totally your own fault. Rehome those dogs to someone who can give them a life.