I am currently recovering from a total knee replacement and have rheumatoid arthritis. My black labby Nelson is now 13 months and in general he is gorgeous.BUT can anyone tell me why he goes around looking for mischief and destroying anything he finds. I keep doors closed, keep items out of the way but he finds something. I let him out to play in our safe garden but he has taken to digging craters in the lawn. He seems bored and can't wait for hubby to come home so he can take him out. This doesn't happen everyday but when it does it is so frustrating. I cannot take him out, I don't know anyone who can help me walk him. I play with him with make sure I do sit, stay commands. He is very boisterous and because of that he is being neutered next week and I hope this will help. I have contacted dog trainers who came to the house to meet him and say he is just still puppyish and excitable and gorgeous. Feeling quite down in myself and this is upsetting me. Any advice please.
Re: What can I do? I am sorry to read of your predicament . Could you ask your Vet if you can place a card on their notice board asking for a reliable and recommended dog walker ? Nelson is barely out of puppyhood and as such he will be a bounding mass of energy if he isn't exercised so this must be addressed for your sanity Have a look in your local paper and ask other dog owners for recommendations for dog walkers in your area, it would make such a massive difference, to both of you , good luck .
Re: What can I do? I totally agree, when exercised Rolo is a much calmer dog. In our area there are a few people who don't advertise as dog walkers but that is what they do. Maybe your hubby when out walking is passing dog walkers disguised as dog owners lol. An advert at the vets or even your local shop or post office may solve this problem. It's worth a shot.
Re: What can I do? I have spinal injuries and arthritis in my neck so I can sympathise with you. I found an excellent dog walker 4 months ago and haven't looked back. Harley (18 months old) gets walked twice a week (the days I have the chiropractor). Harley gets picked up around 11am and rarely comes back before 12.30/1pm. She has lots of off lead running around time with a few other dogs. Also, occasionally she goes to day care when I can't be home for lunch, and she loves it Might be worth having a look into dog walkers - I met with about 8 before I found one that Harley and myself liked
Re: What can I do? [quote author=Elaineh link=topic=9800.msg141934#msg141934 date=1423162461] He is very boisterous and because of that he is being neutered next week and I hope this will help. [/quote] This article may give you some information regarding castration. It's unlikely to reduce boisterous behaviour: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/should-i-have-my-labrador-castrated/ Other than that, I think the advice of having a dog walker is spot on. He's a young dog, full of beans and energy and needs to work that off. You could also maybe look at mixing up his at-home training with new tricks and games. Kay Lawrence's book Learning Games has lots of ideas, or look online for ideas? Mentally stimulating him like this will tire him out. Using a Kong Wobbler for his meals could also help stimulate him. Good luck, it can't be easy when you're not as mobile as you'd like.
Re: What can I do? Many sympathies, I had a hip replacement a year and a half ago when Poppy was 18 months old, so I can really sympathize. Yes, Nelson needs lots of exercise, which will calm him down. Just playing in the garden is no use at all, he will simply continue to get more destructive. One of my main concerns with Poppy when I was recovering was that I would get knocked over, so I developed games with her to encourage her steadiness and to give her a bit of exercise while making sure I was safe. If your dog likes retrieving it will be a lot easier! Some of the things I did with her: 1. Hiding her toy (or biscuits) around the house and letting her search for them. This involved getting her to sit and stay in one room, then I moved into the living room (or wherever) and hid the treats. Then I sent her to search for them. 2. Playing fetch in the garden. The tennis ball chucker was good for this, as I didnt have to bend down. I also made sure I was sitting on a sturdy garden chair, so I couldn't get knocked over when she came bounding back to me. 3. Retrieving 'blinds' in the garden. I sat Poppy down where she couldn't see me (in our case it was the front of the house), walked into the garden and hid her tennis ball. Then I went back to her and sent her off to find it. These games exercise the dog, but also give mental stimulation, which is just as important - and the two where the dog have to sit and wait encourage steadiness too. Good luck, hang in there, your knee will get better soon.
Re: What can I do? Oh that's tricky and I guess it will some time before you can take a teenage lab out on a lead. I don't think he is mischievous , that's just normal teenage stuff particularly if bored. Also I too don't think castration will help. My vet is very clear it only helps sexualised behaviour. A boy of this age really does need lots of exercise. Training alone won't wear him out. I am not surprised he is eager to see your husband. Could he have a couple of doggy day care days. Some are great and match them with buddies and even have agility stuff for them to play with. Also there is a web site that matches local folk who want to borrow a dog. I can't remember the name just now. I think it could be borrow my doggy. Worth a google anyhow. Don't feel down, as you say he is gorgeous . You just need an entertainment plan for him so you can heal. Best wishes, Emma (and meg and jasper )
Re: What can I do? I would possibly see about getting a professional dog walker in if you can - some of them don't charge very much (one near me is £8 a day and they get a where from 45min to 2 hrs depending on the number of dogs they have that day). Or if that is not an option then get som brain activities - hide and seek with toys or treats, food puzzles, frozen Kongs etc will all give you half an hours peace and keep him out of mischief. Some trick training might be good to as you can do that from sitting in a chair.
Re: What can I do? My sympathies too ! He sounds puppyish and gorgeous ! I think labs especially like to be busy so if they are bored will always find something to play with or eat! There are lots of brain ( and body)stimulation for dogs ideas on YouTube which you could have a look at, some mentioned here already by people here which involve hiding things or requiring your dog to try to open things to get a treat or toy. He has loads of energy and wants to use it and so anything with a ball I think would work if you can cope with the throwing and he can retrieve ! I always find a kong packed with goodies (maybe a portion of your dogs daily food or favourite treats) and frozen overnight keeps them busy too when you need some quiet times. You can get specially designed dog toys, but if you can keep him moving in the garden whilst you sit and relax that would tire him out I am sure. I once sold my kids' play tent and tube at a car boot sale to a lady who wanted it for her dog in the garden! ( my dog Lottie would just want to eat it!) Good luck x
Re: What can I do? Just wanted to add to the sympathy! I broke my ankle earlier in the week and Harley is still recovering post spay so we are both bored and frustrated. I'm trying to make sure I give her plenty of things to keep her busy, stuffed frozen Kongs, a bit of training, she has one of those Kong wobbler things too so she has to puzzle out getting her meals. Hoping we all have a speedy recovery x
