If my 7 month old flat coat retriever is not being walked, played with or getting my attention he looks miserable. It's a bit of a burden

[hmc]

He is walked twice a day, I am usually at home and if out for more than 3 hours I get a dog sitter. At home I give him stuffed kongs or a treat ball to play with. But if I have to get on with something else he mopes around with his tail between his legs. I love him but find him a bit of a burden - I can't give him all my attention!!!

I've had dogs before (and have another dog now who is nearly 8) - and they've always been content to have a bit of down time!

I walk a couple of 'flatties' - they are fab dogs but very full on, especially when they are pups.

Have you thought about a crate for him, for when you don't want him following you around all the time? If you make it cosy for him, with bedding and toys, he will come to see it as his 'safe place'.

mine has come to terms with following me around whilst I do things or lying right behind me whilst I cook. He cannot bear me looking at screen though and god forbid we try and work on the laptop- he puts his head under my wrist and flips my hand up!
They do get better. ours is 2 now and will take himself off to sleep for a few hours when he realises the entertainment centre has other things to get on with. I know that you mean though they can seem a little needy..
Try tiring him out mentally with some training, they are bright and good fun to teach.

He has a crate - likes it, but only for sleeping at night or if I go out. If I crate him during the day and he can hear me at home then he won't settle. He just makes me feel guilty if I am not 100% focused on him - dh says I should grow a pair, toughen up and harden my heart to his baleful, dejected expression. He does get more attention than the average dog as it is

Thanks wookie - I haven't done a great deal of training, will certainly try that

Ha yes the flatcoat guilt trip you do need to toughen up a bit I'm afraid as he will happily rule your life otherwise. If you want to keep the crate for when you are out, would a baby gate across the kitchen work? It gave us a bit of space - he can lie against it looking soulful and neglected and i can actually do something!

Yes - a baby gate is a good idea. My human baby is 12 now, but I still use the gates for my dogs.

Rule my life - yes that's about the sum of it! Good idea re the stair gate

Eric's seven months old and much the same lately only he has perfected the art of sitting directly in my line of sight and making whimpering noises. I pacify him with a bit of toy throwing and then ignore and he gives it up as a bad job. He loves attention though always has once he realises he's being ignored he takes himself off for a sleep.

I think that you have to learn to ignore, or you are creating a rod for your own back - it will grow up believing you are a 24hr entertainment service
Mine gets a oat now, then ignored and he settles down to sleep at my feet, if I didn't ignore him he would have be pandering to him all day!

Pup has had a lot of ignoring today - I've been laid low with a tummy bug. He seems to have survived though

One of dpup's self-imposed jobs is chief sorter-outer of dirty washing .. As this usually means charging around the house with a pair of dirty socks in his mouth we have had the occasional disagreement about his job description

So now if I'm doing stuff that really isn't improved by having an enthusiastic puppy's help I keep him behind the stair gate in the kitchen. He lies next to the gate perfecting his woebegone 'nobody loves me' look and I have to harden my heart otherwise I'd never get the washing done

What is it about socks! My pup is also smitten with them

Hi hmc, I remember you from years ago- (I think I probably was bunny2 at that time), we went to Marwell zoo together. Are you the same hmc? Hope so.

We have a puppy too (she's around 10 months) and she also follows me round looking sad and mournful. She stares at me like I am the centre of her universe. It wasn't meant to be like this, I bought her for the dcs! Still, it's nice to be idolised. We have wooden folding gate which is easily moved and allows me to close of part of the house when necessary. This means when I work (I work from home) I can give her the run of the house except for my office. It sort of works but it doesn't stop the guilt!

Hi Bunny2 /kissmy (you will always be Bunny2 to me) - yes, Marwell Zoo, well I never! That was a good day out

Laughing at the 'wasn't meant to be like this...bought her for the dc' - snap!, which is why we also have a budgie and 2 guinea pigs (sighs)

I wish I had stuck with the gerbils sometimes! I am consoling myself with the fact I have lost 2 stone since getting a puppy, all the dog walking must have helped!