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Original poster

What does my dog need to be an outdoor dog?

59 replies

Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 10:55

Cos she's certainly not staying indoors anymore!

I have a fairly large secured back garden, grass, patio etc but what does she need? Shall I get her a kennel? Will she use it?

OP posts:
flier · 13/04/2009 11:16

sorry x-post, but try to get one of those kong toys, they're great.

ohdearwhatamess · 13/04/2009 11:17

Border collies need a lot more exercise than that. I'd assume a collie X would too.

Have you tried giving her things of her own to chew and play with? Kongs can keep them stimulated and occupied for a while. Also rawhide chews etc (although my springer won't touch these).

oggsfrog · 13/04/2009 11:17

She will probably not play with the toys on her own.. will need someone to play tug with etc.

Has she really not had any training? How do you correct/reprimand her? How does she know what is acceptable behaviour?

TrinityIsGettingABabyRhino · 13/04/2009 11:17

so train her then

and researching would have allowed you to realise that these problems are probably bourne form boredom

Original poster
Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 11:17

I've trained her, she sits, stays, lie's down. Doesn't pull on the lead...is fab with other dogs.

But she hasn't been to training classes no, its impossible for me to take her to them.
I'm a single Parent of a 2&3yo with no breaks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 11:20

Thanks, not sure what a 'kong' toy looks like but will search the net and get her one.

She's not just ditched with a pile of toys and ignored ; she's played with a LOT with these toys, herself playing too without the toys.

When she's in need or correcting/reprimanding she's given a firm NO and is fine then but the obviously un-supervised that cant work.

OP posts:
KingCanuteIAm · 13/04/2009 11:20

The age she is at is a big age for chewing and the breeding mean she is likely to need things to occupy her more than other breeds.

Do you play with her with her toys? She is unlikely to be interested in them if you do not interact with her with them. If she is grabbing stuff and running off then it could be that she sees it as a game.

She clearly needs training IMO and reinforcment on the "mine/yours" issue but it does have to be done right. I understand training classes are ifficult with young children but the initial ones only last 8 weeks for 30/45 mins a week. Is there no way you could come up with something just for a few weeks?

WHen she is in the utility do you lift/put away anything she can get hold of that you don't want chewed? It is frustrating having a chewer. Bitter Apple can help but is best used on fixed things like doors than toys etc.

KingCanuteIAm · 13/04/2009 11:21

Sorry X posts!

oggsfrog · 13/04/2009 11:21

Can you leave her with a pigs ear/rawhide and a kong with treats inside so that she has something more appealing to chew, and try to keep everything else out of her reach?

ohdearwhatamess · 13/04/2009 11:22

If you're anywhere near Herts/Beds I know a fantastic dog trainer who holds classes in the daytime (and at weekends) and positively encourages owners to bring their children along with them.

flier · 13/04/2009 11:22

Claire, here is a link kong

There are loads of different ones and you'll get them in most petshops.

How do you reprimand her at the mo when she wrecks something?

Original poster
Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 11:23

Yeh I can do that, just googled kong dog toys they look great.

I thought the straighteners were out of her reach, they were in the kitchen on the side..she was inside while I was outside sorting washing out & i came back to find them wrecked. I cant move the freezer, thats in the utility room but she shredded the wiring of it 2 wks ago & I am absolutely amazed she survived it. Its up against a wall and the wire was tucked behind but she still got it.

OP posts:
oggsfrog · 13/04/2009 11:24

X posts

Original poster
Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 11:26

When I find that she's wrecked something she gets a NO and put outside - where she currently is until I take her for a walk.

I'm nowhere near Herts/Beds area but thanks for the info

She has rawhide shoes and bits but has no interest in them at all.

If I can find a dog training place which is suitable for Children to go to as well then yes she will be taken there, but I literally have no breaks from my LO's, they are 24/7 with me.

OP posts:
Mutt · 13/04/2009 11:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 11:29

I agree Mutt but what do I do now..rehome her or continue with training/reprimanding her bad chewing behaviour?

What do you suggest?

OP posts:
Original poster
Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 11:31

She does no herding like a collie generally would, she doesn't nip. I wouldnt say she's devoted to me either she'll happily wander when out & about & doesnt follow me (I've had collies before, my collie is still in France with a friend)....

OP posts:
TrinityIsGettingABabyRhino · 13/04/2009 11:33

the puppy we have just rehomed is a collie cross lurcher

she has a rawhide bone BUT she MUCH orefers sqeaky toys to chew
kong do a sqeaky raggy type thing
we have the puppy on ena dit is by far her fave toy
she will run and bounce around with it by her self but also loves to have it thrown for her

Mutt · 13/04/2009 11:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 11:49

Thanks Mutt, so you think 2-4 miles a day isn't enough for her? I thought it was plenty, she's wasted at the end of it & so am I and the kids

I was thinking of putting a kennel in the garden for her to stay in overnight, not all the time, just the few hours between me going to bed (1am ish) and waking with the kids (7-8am ish) would that not help things?

I'm happy to rehome her, I want what's best for her & us but I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing before.

If I rehome her what do I do then? Another Poster said not to advertise her Free to Good home, and you've said no to kennels...

OP posts:
Molecule · 13/04/2009 11:51

To answer your original question Claire2009, your dog will need shelter and a bed in order to live outside. Our dogs have all generally lived out and as far as I can tell appear to be completely happy. When they become old and stiff they are allowed in, but generally prefer to be out. Our elderly yorkshire terrier (a real lapdog) now sleeps in, but as soon as the weather warms up she likes to be out, and makes a bed in the hay.

I think the chewing problem is mainly down to age and will pass. Our outdoor, well exercised, trained dogs have still chewed as pups, so you will have to watch out for any dirty shoes/wellies left outside the backdoor.

Original poster
Claire2009 · 13/04/2009 11:52

Thankyou v much Molecule

OP posts:
chequersmate · 13/04/2009 12:02

I was going to suggest a crate too if it's just for bedtimes. Our dog goes in the crate when we're out - this is because she used to forage around in th kitchen cupboards and knock the bin over.

We used to move the bin and try to keep food out of the floor level cupboards but unfortunately as I'm in and out a lot I did sometimes forget about the bin. At xmas she got in it and got a piece of corn on the cob stuck in her intestine which normally involves abdominal surgery.

After that we decided the crate was the safest place for her when we were out (which is never for long). We introduced it correctly though and she loves being in it.

Merrylegs · 13/04/2009 12:03

Claire - just to say I feel your pain. It was almost me or the dog when our now 2 year old mutt was between the ages of 10 months to a year. He chewed everything (although a freezer is pretty impressive!)

He chewed because he was anxious at being left; because we didn't get our acts together quick enough when we were getting ready to go on a walk; because he just liked it I think.

BUT he did grow out of it when he became a bit more mature, and secure in our company - ie he knew we would return home to him after being out, he learnt that putting our shoes on meant he would get a walk - when we were ready, and I think he just got all his teeth and got past the 'oral' stage!

But he sleeps in a crate at night and has done since he was a pup - very happily. I am in the country and lots of dogs here are outside dogs - a covered kennel with bed plus a caged run when the owners are out and free run of the garden when owners are in. Plus plenty of walks etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide - it sounds as if you are taking the problem seriously.

vjg13 · 13/04/2009 13:47

I would try a crate too if you have to leave her or overnight.