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.

Perhaps you should take the dogs to a behaviourist or have them come round to yours and start retraining your dogs. It could be boredom it could also be other factors

OFGS - how ridiculous. Labradors don't get enough exercise or stimulation through the day so they make their own fun by chewing up things within reach. They don't need a behaviourist!!! They need exercise and games!

(Another Labrador owner here marvelling at the stupidity of leaving presents under the tree - or anything within reach basically)

Really? I have a lovely chocolate Labrador who is 18 months. I would never countenance leaving her at home all day with a ten minute walk around the block! Labradors are high energy, sociable dogs and when we researched breeds, we knew we wouldn’t be able to leave her all day. 4 hours max. She doesn’t destroy anything and hasn’t since a young pup. I’m sorry you are struggling but as you yourself said, it’s not the dog it’s the owner.
Don’t leave them all day.
At least an hours decent walk where they can sniff and run off lead and be sociable.
Don’t forget a bit of brain games/training at home/in the garden too to help with boredom.

I can't actually get past the idea that someone who owns a labrador leaves anything on the floor.

Have you lot all got really naughty dogs or are they just not very well trained? My lab wouldn’t touch anything that wasn’t his. Mind you he’s got about fifteen gazillion toys so he doesn’t need to. Perhaps I’ve just been lucky.

I also don’t take him out for two hours a day, shock horror. Sometimes he gets ten minutes if its pissing it down. I’ve got full waterproofs and he’s even got his own coat but he doesn’t like bad weather, he’s a fair weather walker. He’s just a very chilled out dog. And he’s from working stock, he’s lovely and lean and fit.

Op I’m not going to add to the pasting you’ve already had. You know you need help and I’m sorry about the presents, that’s shit.

Sorry - read your update which sounds like your mostly at home and walking them more but struggling. Do get a walker if possible.

Yes I work full-time but mostly from home. The dogs are never left more than 4hrs but I dared to have a long lie in this am as I am knackered with 2 small dc.
I am mainly upset because I have come to the realisation that I cant cope with the dogs. They are part of my family I cant rehome them.

There are lots of I in there......where is your dh in all of this? Is he pulling his weight either walking the poor dogs or being with his dc while you do?

We have a lab who doesn't touch anything other than his beloved ball! Hasn't gone near the presents, although his are in the garage as I'm not sure how he'd be with those.

OP, have you got any toys for them that offer mental stimulation? Even when you feed, put some of their food in treat balls that they have to move around to release the food. They need mental stimulation as much as physical exercise.

Do you interact with them a lot with them during the day? Labs love company and I chat to him a lot during the day - maybe I'm a bit bonkers but I'm sure he likes it!

Lemons You're not bonkers. I sing to Ddog 😂 Also, while she was laid on me for a bellyrub earlier I played her as an air guitar while singing along to the radio

People really need to stop getting dogs that aren't suited to their lifestyle. Labradors with families that don't walk much, Huskies in flats while owner works all day.. it goes on and on. Then they act surprise when their house is literally being demolished by a frustrated dog that was bred to work and doesn't adapt to sitting in the house all day.
I get that it's hard I really do, I have 3 children aged 6 and under and a young labrador. After a crap night with the youngest I don't much fancy going for a walk around the countryside but my dog needs it so it gets done.
It doesn't sound like you can provide what they need so you have some difficult decisions to make.

Dog ownership is meant to be enjoyable. If you feel like you are struggling to cope and there is genuinely no way that you can improve things by playing with the dogs more or walking more, or paying for a dog sitter then maybe you should rehome them. For the sake of you and for them.

I would suggest that walking them for up to 4 hours in one day in the weekend is probably not a good use of your time and maybe it would be better to try and lengthen the walks during weekdays and shorten the one at weekends.

Op Just thank people for their lovely gifts. No one needs to know the dogs destroyed their particular gift. I had a mix breed and found the more she was walked the more she needed to go longer everyday. I would get a dog walker during the week and add it to the walks you are giving.
I feel your pain, my DSS has had to move in with us complete with a dog, so far the curtains are after being pulled off the wall, the Christmas tree knocked and muck every where. DSS definitely is not walking the dog enough and I am getting up a 4am to take her to a local pitch for an hr before I go to work without telling anyone to avoid rows and give the dog some exercise. You got your dogs and then life changed ,it happens you just need to find something that works for everyone or you find it let m know I want to stay in bed in the mornings as well

OP I have 2 labs at the moment. One is 7 years old and the other one is a puppy. Both me and my husband work full time. I walk them in the morning together off lead for 30 minutes and then continue with the big one for another hour. This is done at 6 am and I then go home and get ready for work and drop the kids off at school. I have 4 children so I also know what it is like juggling it all but the dogs need to be prioritised. I also walk them in the evening on the lead. Adult labs need minimum of 2 hours walk a day. I also have a very large garden and often I ball throw for hours. I have not put any presents under my downstairs tree because I do not trust the puppy. My older dog wouldn’t touch the pressies. You’ve made an error there but is this the first year they have done that? I know things can be difficult but you need to work out when they can be walked and by whom, make sure they get plenty stimulation when they are not getting walked. My dogs are a big part of family life and I would be devastated if something happened which meant I had to consider rehoming. My dogs are also left alone for 2 hours during the day during the week and there is no destruction from either dog. If he started destroying things at 7 years I would have to re think how much exercise stimulation etc he was getting.

OP, have you got a garden? We got our lab an automatic ball launcher for Christmas last year and he loves it!

TripTrap

Glad it's not just me (although I wouldn't much care if it was)!

Your dogs are being mistreated OP, however unintentionally.

Do what's right for them. And please don't get more pets that you don't have time for. Find a breed specific rescue and contact them ASAP as they are sadly going to be horribly busy at this time of year

Actually I don't believe 'there is no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners'. All dogs are different, so it stands to reason some are bad. Bad dogs are more difficult to cope with, so one tend to cause more problems (or incidents!). I think they generally don't have a moral compass, so they are not deliberately evil, but definitely some are far more difficult to deal with than others. And to be honest as a parent (I feel) one should be prioritising the family's needs over the dogs anyway.

Anyway, off my soap box!! just wondered, op, if yours were hungry? I've just been watching mine being a complete arse (chewing etc) and realised it was dinnertime!! She is now fed, collapsed and asleep. Only as it seemed this incident was early morning, just thought they might be thinking of breakfast, young one particularly. I don't know labs (have a Dalmatian) but understand they are similarly always hungry, so probably difficult to tell!!! Always thought labs were quite laid back myself and have heard tales of them being reluctant to walk. I've not previously heard they need 2 hours a day minimum, unlike a collie that definitely would, however would agree that they are probably under stimulated and could do with extra attention, whether it be walking or some form of training to get their brains working. Allegedly brain work tires them out quicker than walking, so may be something to look into, especially in the inclement days of winter.
Also, just a thought, the young one is maybe doing the 'terrible teens' and may, if you keep on top of the training, grow out of it. Of course it may be the old one causing the trouble, in which case I'm talking rot, feel free to ignore!
Anyway, my sympathy with dealing with kids, work and dogs. It isn't easy at the best of times, hope you get something sorted, dog walker might just be enough to take the pressure off you.

I think they aren’t getting enough out of a 10min walk and the lack of stimulation is leading to destructive behaviour. I think you should get a dogwalker, and if that’s not possible then think about rehoming. Sorry to hear about the presents op.

Oh OP, this is hard. You've realised they aren't getting what they need regularly. I think the regularly bit, as in daily, is key. A dog walker once a day for an hour is a great start. They probably need some training as well. Maybe get one of those slow feeding bowls to help keep their minds occupied.

Teach DC to play hide and seek. Once the dogs and kids get you get to sit. Tell DC to hide somewhere obvious like the sofa and then tell the dogs "Go find DC!" Then lead the dogs to DC who gives them a yummy treat. They catch on fast! Kids love it and the dogs get mental stimulation. Always make the dc make the dogs sit before handing over the treat.

Sorry about the presents. You'll laugh one day - promise!

I work full time, have a child and four dogs. I walk them in the morning and again in the late afternoon (min 2 hours per day) plus there is someone popping in three times to check on them (which I pay for) it's knackering but worth it because it's what they need, therefore I make the necessary sacrifices. You need to do the same.

Oh and I should also say, they are extremely well behaved. Calm in the house, no destructive behaviour and a pleasure to be around.

Many moons ago I read a forum post by a lady that kept Dalmatians and she reckoned that provided they were generally well exercised, you could occasionally take them out for a drive in the car instead. Gave them a bit of an outing and mental stimulation. I'm sure she wasn't far off the mark as my dogs have never had a rigorous exercise routine, but they have had reasonable walks, a bit of training, plenty of company and nearly always travelled with me if I drove anywhere. They were/are very little trouble in the house either. Except for the puppy who is currently teething and chewing everything she can get her teeth on.
Before I get jumped on it was REGULAR exercise and an OCCASIONAL car drive!! Definitely wouldn't get away with no exercise, however laid back the dog.

spot I occasionally do this too, if for some reason our main walk is cut short or something unexpected happens. Ddog loves it!

I think there is definitely a difference between a dog that gets regular and adequate exercise most days but on one day just gets 10 mins or a ride out in a car. The fact that they normally get what they need means they will be able to cope with a day here and there. A dog that hardly ever gets that and is asked to cope on 10 mins regularly is going to be a different thing altogether...

I cannot fathom why you got the second dog with a young family. Was the first dog easy or something? I had a chocolate lab. They are notoriously nutty and naughty. Mine definitely was and needed a lot of interaction and stimulation. The only time he was satisfied with short walks was toward the end of his life.

Aged 2 I was walking him for an hour in the morning and the afternoon. By age 7 I could get away with less for one of the walks. I would also throw balls for him to play with to tire him out and had a very big garden. He always expected 2 walks and knew when it was time to go out.

I also wouldn’t have left things on the floor like that at 2. That’s barely adulthood for such a large dog and asking for trouble. At that sort of age he once scoffed a pack of cream eggs I’d absent mindedly left on the floor on coming home one day. I just went to the loo and they were gone. Cue trip to the vet.

I now have a small cockapoo - toy poodle size. He’s very independent and can cope with shorter walks. He amuses himself and plays alone in the garden. He doesn’t need the same level of stimulation and has always been eager to please. If he regularly only went for 10 mins even he would climb the walls.

I really think you need to rehome the dogs. I get it is heartbreaking but you need to think of their needs before yours.

If you're getting a dog walker that's great. They do need to be knackered out.

I'm at home so my dogs get company, they've also got a huge amount of outdoor space, but still they can be buggers (I've got two labs) so I feel your pain.

My youngest will go through anything as if I go out as she suffers separation anxiety. So I can't leave anything out. Presents go under the tree last min, the bin lid needs to be securely down, all food needs to be in cupboards - you get the picture. No way would I have left presents under the tree. My son made that mistake lately and it turned out to be a selection pack which was scoffed by the buggers (yes know it's toxic everyone, seemingly not for my bins on legs). Get into the habit of everything being away, leave out kongs with dog food stuffed inside so they have something to do...

Oh dear OP, sounds like you're in over your head here. Sorry you're stressed and upset

I won't pile on with everyone else because ultimately it won't achieve anything. You know you've made mistakes, putting the boot in repeatedly won't change that.

If you can't get the dogs out for walks twice a day can you do some training with them instead? Even at 7yo your older dog can learn new commands - I do regular bits of training with mine - going over old commands and teaching new ones. They don't have to be "useful" - my latest one was to teach my beagle to touch his nose! It has no purpose except it's a cute trick and teaching him how to do it exhausted him on a rainy, cold afternoon.

Otherwise you need to pay for a walker or sitter for them. I know it's not cheap but labs are working dogs and need plenty of exercise - get someone in to walk them for a couple of hours at lunch and you do a short morning walk and they'll probably sleep the rest of the day!

If mine's restless and he can't have a walk for whatever reason, I give him chews - things like pizzles, yak chews, stuffed kongs or buffalo horns last for hours and keep him amused!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do - but with dogs you generally get out whatever you put in!