Hi guys. Looney Luna is now 4 months old and still a bit of a maniac but getting better. Has anyone got any good ideas for keeping your puppy entertained on their own? She loves Kongs and I give her one most days. But she gets through them pretty quickly and I freeze them every time. I know they are social animals but I was just wondering if there are any toys or something that she could be happy playing with alone?! I would just love for her to not be jumping all over me with a toy in her mouth just for a little while! Plus I feel like I'm constantly giving her food when I need a bit of peace. Kongs, carrots, broccoli. And it just doesn't keep her entertained that long. Also I thought taking her for a walk would start to tire her out but she is non stop! We come home and she just wants to jump all over me! I'm exhausted and just want her to chill out. Is it too much to ask from a 4month old puppy?!
Also should have mentioned that at least once a day (weather permitting) we feed her out of a kong wobbler or hide her kibble around the garden, under pots, in boxes etc for her to find. However the weather has been rubbish lately and constantly raining! Xxx
Ours is 4 months too and there has definitely been a change in his level of energy and he's sleeping less so I can relate! We also do the Kong Wobbler with some kibble in it most evenings (he has soooo much energy in the evenings). Bully sticks are my secret weapon when he needs to calm down or we need him to be occupied while we eat dinner. He will chew on those for a good 20-30 minutes.
No good advice here I'm sorry!! I'm having the same issue with Spencer and his step sister! I feel like the entertainment committee around here. Always trying to come up with ideas. "Now what can we do?" I ask myself a lot!! Good Luck and please post what you come up with!!
I bought a Ruffle Snuffle mat to aid the bonding of my two labradors. I would recommend it for a single dog. Admittedly it is using food yet again and I understand what you mean about constantly giving food. However, I make sure it's part of the daily allowance.
Yes Luna has so much energy during the evening too. Some nights it's non stop till 10pm! The whole 5mins exercise per month is a pain too. But I read yesterday it can be twice a day so she's had 2 walks today. Hasn't made a difference yet though. I'll look into Bully sticks. Not heard of them before but this is my first dog so most things are new to me! She's currently chewing on an antler but she soon loses focus and starts chewing and ragging her bed about the place! X
Yes we thought about one of those mats. We had a puppy trainer come to the house and she had a bag full of stuff. Luna was only interested in the Kong wobbler and nothing else. Yes I do take the extras into her daily allowance but it just seems wrong constantly giving her stuff all day. Like she'll always expect food throughout the day. I already get a nose nudge in the back of my leg whenever I'm prepping anything "Hello I'm here. Where's mine" nudge nudge haha xx
We have a toy made by Ruffwear, that Cooper plays with from time to time, even at 2+ years. It is a heavy fabric dummy, fastened to an 8' tubular webbing with a bungee inside, so it will stretch out until the webbing is tight. It hangs from a cord attached to our upper deck, with the dummy about 2' off the ground. Cooper will grab it, pull it tight, let it go and then grab it again as it bounces up and down. It doesn't keep her occupied for a long time, but she goes out and plays with it for 5 or 10 minutes every day or so. She has played with it since she was a small puppy.
Do they not entertain eachother having 2? My husband keeps telling me she needs a mate to play with but I'm adamant I'm not having another. I can only cope with 1! I thought the other day we finally found a toy she loved. Within 10 mins all the stuffing was being pulled out of the poor donkey! She likes ripping things to shreds and sometimes I just think 'go ahead' it gives me peace for a bit, I just have to deal with cleaning the mess afterwards x
Stanley definitely got worse when he was about 4 months for being hyper. He calmed down again by the time he was about 8 months. Walking him was pointless in terms of trying to tire him out - he just kept getting fitter. I found training games and mental stimulation was the best way to get him settled
Training them put tiring pressure on their little brains. Do it every day. Try to get a set routine. Like a child she will be easier to deal with. Also, cut back the the kongs and treat feedings or you'll have one obese pet.
At 4 months old, I think they are too young to know how to settle as much as we would like them to. Have you tried hiding one of two treats inside a cardboard box, or empty toilet roll with a treat in and scrunched up? I found cardboard was great to occupy Harley when she was little.
Mine latest liked a massage and watching wildlife programmes . Everyday at 4 we would stop puppy stuff he would have his tea and then I would make him lie down by encouraging him over with a toy and then he would get sleepy as I massaged his head ears neck chest and legs. Then he would watch some wildlife or animal programme and drift off to Rory zzzzz land so funny.
Or else set aside 1/3 to 1/2 of his daily kibble ration, and use this to fill the kongs and give as treats for successful sits, good behaviour, etc. Have to say, a kong filled with soaked kibble, and then frozen, has proven to be the most popular, and most long-lasting, solo entertainment for our boy.
Absolutely. Your dog will only become obese with a calorie surplus. It's better to ditch the bowl and feed entirely from kongs and interactivity than giving it away for free, if it helps your puppy to settle. She's a puppy. She has a short attention span now. She won't always be the same. So, use the food to keep her busy and entertained now, by all means, she won't expect the same when she's fully grown. Not really, no. They tend to only play with each other when I'm involved.
Yes I've tried this and when she's done with the treat she rips the box apart. I don't always mind coz it takes 2 mins to clean up but I don't know if I should be allowing her to rip things up?!
Cardboard: the best, cheapest puppy toy ever I let mine destroy cardboard boxes as puppies. The older ones grew out of it and don't do it now they're nearly three. They were always somehow able to distinguish between boxes that were theirs and boxes that weren't. Not something I intentionally trained, but they picked up on it anyway
Is there any training you can suggest as I'm running out of ideas! I e done lots with her. She's so clever and will do the following on command. Sit Stay Paw Her recall is pretty good Lie down Touch (hand) In your crate and in your bed on command. We are still working on peeing on command. Any other suggestions would be great x
