I just feel a bit fed up today. I genuinely feel like Rolo never sits still, ever. unless made to. He is 7 months now and feel like he knows his surroundings enough to relax. Ive tried everything to train him to settle it doesnt seem to be working he never takes himself anywhere to lay down. I do training, walks , cuddles , i dont want to be putting him in his crate all the time to settle but it seems to be the only time he does. Just rambling really sorry....
You know I always say Stanley is a Tasmanian devil crossed with tigger.. Still is really but he's a lot better. I find if I let him run riot for about 10minutes without reacting he gets the message and comes to sit and chill next to me. Or if he's really bad I give him a rawhide or a kong to keep him occupied for a while. It's taken a long time to get the message like but he's finally realised after about 8pm nothing interesting happens to its best just to snooze. I think it's an age thing more than anything.
I know it doesn't help now, but it will come. Rolo is only 7 months, a youngster, full of beans. Does he have a bed outside of his crate?
Nothing much more to add to advise already given , looking back I think Cassie was much the same at 7 months now at 10 months she sleeps a lot. Specially once the woodburners going , have you got one?! Regards the crate, if he's ok in there perhaps don't worry? Perhaps he's happy for you to make the decision. I relate to what you say though, Cassie is hardly in her crate now but I don't like it when she is anymore.
I know how hard it is. Jess was like that. She would only settle in a confined space - in the kitchen behind a babygate or in her crate. I felt bad about confining her but then decided since it obviously helped her to relax, she probably appreciated it. And anyway, I needed peace! She's a lot better now (at 11 months) and will snooze quite happily on the sofa or the bed. She still has her moments though. I almost posted an "I'm so fed-up today" yesterday. But I didn't, and today she's much better. This too shall pass!
Thanks Jen it does just make me feel better hearing from others! I feel guulty because he is generally so good but sometimes when your trying to get stuff done or even have a quiet 10mins hes there like ermmm NO! Ive started the ignoring thing and he does seem to settle more than previous. So that combined with should bring me some peace Ive started having 4/5 kongs or filled bones ready per day just with kibble and they keep him quiet for a bit too xx
Thank you its nice to hear that it will come though a nice gentle reminder. He did have two beds outside the crate he destroyed one and I think the other was too hot then I got a cooling mat and began to train him to go to that and he bit holes in it and nearly destroyed my carpet haha. Even in his crate sometimes he likes laying on the bare plastic. 1 hour atfter posting this thread and we have this How much of a liar is he making me out to be
Thanks a lot its just nice to hear about others experience too that there pups were restless or didnt settle now they love a good snooze Sometimes I think we are all to hard on ourselfs and our pups which is what im being xx
Mollie settles at home. I need to teach her to settle in cafes, restaurants, buses, meetings etc. No chance! She's as restless as the day is long unless eating Kongs ...
Thank you!! Again just nice to hear its completely normal and things do change such as routines etc. Yes Its just the personal guilt with the crate but he doesnt fuss when put in so I think he must be fine! Today i just needed some peace and felt like it was impossible i feel much better now x
When they're young, they don't know when they need to rest, Rolo needs you to put him to bed for a snooze (said she who's never had a puppy!).
I've never had a Lab puppy, so no advice from me - just sending sympathy to you! Even the most caring and patient puppy mamas need a break from the sharking around, so hopefully Rolo will grasp the fine art of the doggie chill out very soon.
Hopefully he'll start settling soon - I think Stanley was about 8 months. Is he allowed on the couch? We never used to let Stanley on but in the end we gave in and that helped him settle too. We just bought a throw and have it on one side of the couch and that's Stanleys seat and he knows that's the only place he's allowed
I'm pretty hard on my pups, because I have to work from home, they just get ignored when the laptop is out. Luna has already learnt that computer = boring mum, so might as well settle down. Of course, at her age, I have to break it up with toilet breaks, training, play etc, but that's on my terms (other than toilet!) rather than hers. Shouting doesn't bring results.
Corona, also 7 months old has really settled nicely just in the past month BUT that's only AFTER she has had her morning one hour walk and her kong while I get ready for my day. She then follows me around, checks out what I'm doing from time to time, and lays down periodically if I'm in the same room. She has a good nap in the afternoon and then becomes a bit of a pest again until she has her dinner, not settling much either. There is playtime thrown in here and there and small training sessions here and there. That seems to hold her over until dinner but I'm rarely ever just allowed to do what I want without having her remind me she's there. Lol. She THEN gets another one hour walk after dinner from OH or we would never be able to relax. She used to be a major pain in the evenings but she has quickly figured out that we are quite boring at that time and now just chills with us, occasionally playing with her toys or chewing on her antler/benebone. And the best days are daycare days, usually once or twice a week, she's wonderfully exhausted on those days, no walks required for some peace and quiet! This new found chill we see in Corona has really been very slow and gradual, Rolo will get there soon, hang in there!
I could have written this. Finn is 19 weeks and hardly ever settles unless I put him up in a confined space. Usually he will fall asleep pretty quickly once I do that. But I hate constantly doing that. He just has not found his off switch yet.
Rolo has settled somewhat since he was a lot smalller but still has a way to go, with Finn still being only 19 weeks Im sure you will notice some difference soon. And hopefully i will too x
