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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Is this acceptable ?

43 replies

TheBlahWitchProject · 15/12/2014 21:17

18 week Labradoodle. This is her daily routine, I just want to know it sounds ok. I wake at 6 am Monday to Friday before work. After shower, I take her out for a walk around the neighbourhood on the lead (6.30 till 7). Kids play with her until we leave for work/school at 7.45. She then goes in her crate until my friend comes from 12 until 1 to play with her and let her out. She then goes back in crate until DS1 gets home at 3.30. When I get in from work at 5.30/6, after kids have had dinner, I walk her on lead round neighbourhood for another 30 mins. At the weekends we go out for a good hour and it's mainly off the lead and then a 30 min walk round neighbourhood again before bed. When the clocks change, her walk round neighbourhood will change to a run in the park before work and a good hour in the park when home. I feel guilty as it's mainly pavement walking in the dark at the moment....does this sound ok ? Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

TheBlahWitchProject · 15/12/2014 23:41

When you say training....I had thought of puppy classes but have already taught her to sit and recall is going well. Toilet training going well too....no accidents for 2 weeks. She walks well in lead and as I said, loves meeting other dogs so socialising well, do you think I'd get much more from puppy classes ?

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NCIS · 15/12/2014 23:42

I think it's perfectly possible for a dog to learn how to be a member of the family and crate too. The two are not mutually exclusive, that is not saying that four hours is ok on a regular basis during the day though.

NCIS · 15/12/2014 23:45

I think you would get an amazing amount from classes, not necessarily puppy classes but a regular training class. It seems like you've taught her sit, heel and recall but when she hits teen stage and the dog equivalent of 'whatever' hits you will probably be glad of some support from an experienced trainer. It is possible to do it without but I wouldn't want to, and I say that as an experienced owner.
Recall, particularly, has a habit of desserting them as they become older and more confident.

Original poster

TheBlahWitchProject · 15/12/2014 23:46

Hakkyut, what I'm doing is a compromise I suppose, DH wants a dog that knows her place and isn't allowed on furniture. I'm a compete softy...would allow her free reign if it was just me. In fairness, I don't think it does any harm to know their place (don't intend that to sound cruel by way). Thanks for comments though

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OHolyShite · 15/12/2014 23:46

Crates and socialisation are not mutually exclusive.

We did crate training to minimise accidents and it worked a treat. And now our dog has a huge crate which is her own space to retreat to. She sleeps like a queen in there and the only other times she goes in are when I go on the school run and when I have to pop out. The rest of the time she is on the sofa with us or asleep in front of the fire. I wasn't willing to let a puppy pee/poo everywhere and chew my furniture. The crate has guaranteed that she hasn't.

I also don't believe that classes are necessary. Doodles are extremely intelligent and easy to train.

OP you are taking all this advice really well. You can fix this.

Whoknowswhocares · 15/12/2014 23:48

Your set up is not suitable for such a young pup imo, especially one of such energetic breeds. Doubtless she will get much more energetic as she matures past the tiny puppy stage and will require much more mental and physical stimulation to be happy.
Some things you could consider to improve the situation:

Dog walker during the day in addition to friend coming in. Friend could then be charged with playing a hunt the kibble or similar game to use up lunch rations in a mentally challenging way.
Take pup to different places. You mention the park for most/all of the off lead walks and the local neighbourhood for lead walks. That is going to get mighty boring for pup! They need different sights, sounds and smells to keep their interest.
Training with you for 2 15 minute sessions a day, morning before you go out and evening too. Plus puppy classes for socialisation and further training ideas weekly
Food rations in kongs instead of bowl for breakfast to break the monotony of the long morning

I'm sure others will be able to add lots more ideas

SugarPlumTree · 15/12/2014 23:49

We got a lot from Puppy classes. The lady running it used clicker training principles but we had a word instead of an actual clicker. She had them doing sniff the treat under a cone and indicating which cone it was under and other similar things that really appealed to an over enthusiastic Doodle.

We did a lot of training at home with her which helped wear her out a bit.

Hakluyt · 15/12/2014 23:50

Oh, I think they should know their place too. Our dog is absurdly well behaved. Many dog people would (do) say we are far too strict with her She just doesn't spend 14 hours a day locked up.

Original poster

TheBlahWitchProject · 15/12/2014 23:50

Thanks NCIS, good points, will look to enrol in classes after Christmas. I bought a light up collar online which came today. Was considering running through park off lead in morning, only braved it once as do dark when I go out

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NCIS · 15/12/2014 23:52

It is hard in winter, I got my pup last September and it was very dark and cold.
Where are you based? If your anywhere in the South East I can recommend some very doodle friendly classes

MostAmused · 15/12/2014 23:54

For my puppy I take him to puppy classes so that he can learn to be calm around other dogs and people. I don't want him to try to play with every dog he sees as this could be a problem if we pass by a dog who fears dogs etc. At the classes we practice many of the commands that he already knows at home such as sit, lie down, stay, drop it and leave it but doing this with all the added distractions makes the cue so much stronger and reliable. It's a good mental work out for him :)

Original poster

TheBlahWitchProject · 15/12/2014 23:56

I'm in Bedfordshire

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NCIS · 16/12/2014 00:00

Bit far from surrey/berkshire Hope you find some good ones to go to, mine have been brilliant and restored my enjoyment of walking. Like you I thought I was doing really well and knew what I was doing with training until my hound hit five months and started to chase joggers and bikes plus pull like a train on the lead. I was at my wits end until I found my trainer.

Original poster

TheBlahWitchProject · 16/12/2014 00:02

Thanks again, off to bed now, good advise, think I can work it do we're all happy

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muttynutty · 16/12/2014 07:38

I think you do need puppy classes as you are showing your are an inexperienced dog owner

Never ever ever leave a dog alone with a raw hide chew - choking and blockages is a real problem.

If you are crating make sure you remove the dogs collar when in the crate as dogs can get it caught on the crate.

Get a head torch and get out in the dark! I am just back from a morning run in the dark with my lot.

Training is so much more than just sit and recall - you need to get your dog used to different environments, being touched all over, meeting a variety of people, being stimulated,

Puppies should be on restricted exercise to start with. Most of this would be covered in a puppy training class - you might also meet people who would be happy to let your puppy out more in the day as well

mrslaughan · 16/12/2014 12:21

you ask if it is acceptable - no its not in my book. she will probably get enough exercise, but the mental stimulation is really lacking, and as Mutty has said you have a cross of two working breeds. I don't see much allowance here for socialisation with other dogs,...it learning how to behave with other dogs.....

I have nothing against crates and infact would always recommend one for puppies and young dogs, but there is a reason zoo's have moved away from small enclosures......you are expecting you dog to spend the majority of its time in one......and this is the reason people are so anti-crates.

insanityscratching · 16/12/2014 18:47

It seems too long to be alone and crated to me. Eric has never been crated and will happily be left for four hours occasionally with free reign of the house. We built up to it gradually though from 10 minutes when he was 12 weeks old. At 18 weeks I wouldn't have thought we'd have left him for even an hour as he loves our company.
Not sure how to teach a dog to know its place tbh Eric is loved and a full part of our family, he's sweet and gentle and pretty obedient anyway although he lays on the sofa at the side of whoever else is there but wouldn't say that meant that he had ideas above his station more that he loves to be close and handy for a tummy rub.

mrslaughan · 16/12/2014 20:48

in terms of "knowing her place" , our dog knows he is not allows upstairs, and is only allowed on the couch if invited and must get off if told.

At 18 weeks it is not surprising that sit and recall is great, as they get older that is when it all goes tits up.......

and socialisation is so important,,,, I have meet a lot of "rude" doodle crosses...high energy, but don't know how to behave around other dogs, the only way they learn this is being around other dogs, not only puppy classes, but with well behaved adults.

It is not surprising that a doodle breeder would say this is fine....as a crossbreed they are only in it for the money. If you went to a reputable breeder with this scenario they wouldn't let you have one of their pups....well none of the breeders I know anyway.

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