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The doghouse

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

Am I doing it right? Is my dog happy - first time dog owner

13 replies

Whitecottoncandy · 02/11/2020 20:37

Hi all, I have a 9 month old cockapoo. Medium size - poodle was standard. I have health anxiety and I find I’ve now started worrying about the dog a lot - if I’m doing it wrong/ if dog is happy / what if dog is ill. I’d appreciate any advife. Sorry it’ll be long.

Dogs routine is up at 7.30 and outside to toilet, onto my bed for an hour cuddle/snooze. Up at 8.30 - out for a walk for 30 mins. Mainly on lead but around 5 mins off lead. Back home for breakfast and run around the garden. Then plays in the hall/sleeps while I work. Lunchtime outside again for a bit on own. Then a treat box in the afternoon (cardboard box with treats toys and paper in it to root through and rip up). I work till 5.30 then out for an hour walk in the countryside - pretty much all off lead. Dinner and then some playing with ball/tug but only for a few minutes. Sometimes some training for ten mins but I’m not great at doing this.

The dog can bark quite a bit in the evenings but usually settles around 9 and sleeps in basket then in crate bed from 10.30 till morning. X2 days a week dog goes to daycare to interact with other dogs and seems to like it always runs straight in.

I worry the dog is unhappy And don’t know if I’m doing enough. The dogs food is also very good quality but recently poos have been quite runny and I don’t know what’s caused the change. Dog has always been quite itchy and I’ve tried various foods but still seems to itch a lot. Dog also has started to want to eat material - always had teddies and never touched them but has started eating them so I confiscated them so but now keeps trying to eat the duvet covers. So I’m worried about that too.

Do you think the dog is ok? Is the routine too boring - too little stimulation? Should I go to the vet about the runny poos (happening for about a week now). Is the eating material thing dangerous? Does barking mean the dog is bored?

The dog is pretty well trained - good on the lead, good recall, can sit and ‘watch me’ also fully toilet trained and sleeps all night without issue.

OP posts:
Bunnybigears · 02/11/2020 20:41

I cant help much as my dog is very low energy so literally never bored, I think he thinks he's a cat. With regards runny poos, try feeding Chappie, the cheap stuff in a red tin, lots of dog trainers and vets swear by it for sorting out runny poos.

VitreousHumour · 02/11/2020 21:00

Watching with interest - I was thinking of starting a 'tell me your older puppy routine'' thread ...

I too feel unexpectedly worried that I'm not being a perfect dog owner every minute of the day- was a bit like this when the kids were small, felt I had to be constantly on and perfect or was letting them down, but also a bit resentful of the guilt! Any reassurance along 'you know they're animals right?' lines gratefully received (sorry to muscle in OP).

vanillandhoney · 02/11/2020 21:11

The routine sounds good - do you vary his walks at all? I try and take mine to different places each day so he doesn't get bored - even having three or four walks on rotation would make things a bit more interesting, I think.

For runny poo, I would try a few days of chicken and rice. That's always solved any poo issues for me! Otherwise Chappie is very good.

PicklePorkPie · 02/11/2020 21:26

I'm not exactly experienced but it sounds lovely. I think you'd know if he was unhappy. Surely he'd show worrying behaviors.

FippertyGibbett · 02/11/2020 21:34

Dogs thrive on routine.
Eating material is dangerous, so don’t let him.
Barking probably is boredom, but he is still a puppy and will settle down. He is not lacking in exercise or stimulation so try giving him something like a stuffed Kong which will occupy him for a while. Also, training to tire his mind is good. Don’t just tire his body.
The itch sounds like a food allergy. You need a good quality food that is high in protein and doesn’t contain grains and fillers. Look for something containing rice or potato instead.

Sarahlou63 · 02/11/2020 21:58

Itching - fleas. Eating 'stuff' - worms. Sorted.

Your dog sounds 100% normal.

Whitecottoncandy · 03/11/2020 14:24

Thanks everyone. I will vary up the walks and try get him to have a Kong. He’s a very fussy eater and decides he likes a Kong one day but hates it the next! I feel a bit more reassured.

@Sarahlou63 he has regular worm and flea treatments so I don’t think it’s that. However he is due a worm treatment this week and his insisting on eating material thing has only been happening for a few weeks so Maybe it is linked.

OP posts:
Snoopdogowner · 03/11/2020 20:35

Sounds like you are doing everything right (I have an 18 month cockapoo). My dog all of a sudden started eating his bed and blanket about 6 months ago for no reason, when I replaced it he started eating that one too! So he just seems to like eating material! He is with a dog walker on group walks 3 times a week and we raw feed. He sleeps a lot during the day and sometimes has a crazy moment in the evening- it used to be every single night for about an hour so has calmed down considerably. Don't worry I think you're on the right track!!!

Snoopdogowner · 03/11/2020 20:35

Sounds like you are doing everything right (I have an 18 month cockapoo). My dog all of a sudden started eating his bed and blanket about 6 months ago for no reason, when I replaced it he started eating that one too! So he just seems to like eating material! He is with a dog walker on group walks 3 times a week and we raw feed. He sleeps a lot during the day and sometimes has a crazy moment in the evening- it used to be every single night for about an hour so has calmed down considerably. Don't worry I think you're on the right track!!!

Snoopdogowner · 03/11/2020 20:36

Sounds like you are doing everything right (I have an 18 month cockapoo). My dog all of a sudden started eating his bed and blanket about 6 months ago for no reason, when I replaced it he started eating that one too! So he just seems to like eating material! He is with a dog walker on group walks 3 times a week and we raw feed. He sleeps a lot during the day and sometimes has a crazy moment in the evening- it used to be every single night for about an hour so has calmed down considerably. Don't worry I think you're on the right track!!!

Snoopdogowner · 03/11/2020 20:36

Oh and we use lots of kongs and natural chews like yak milk

Snoopdogowner · 03/11/2020 20:38

Oh and we use lots of kongs and natural chews like yak milk

Funf · 04/11/2020 07:22

Sounds like a good routine, you can tell ours prefers a walk in the country woods etc to the streets. Try Cheese in a Kong, B&M Bargains sell a long rubber snake with a groove in it you can hide treats in , stick some Primula cheese etc in it a freeze it that keeps them busy.
Food is a mine field, we just stick to Burns as the breeder used it, the vet also recommends it he doesn't sell it but told us it was excellent, but the choice is yours.
Need to stop the material eating have you tried Pigs ears?
Pizzles?
This is a dried Bulls penis! It keeps her quiet as they are so tough
dog-treats.co.uk/product/bulls-pizzle-premium-10-pack/

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