My son recently purchased a 5 m/o lab puppy. He works full-time and relies on me to help take care of the dog. She is quite energetic and I have a hard time controlling her at times. I should relate that I am a youngish 75 y/o female. I have a crate for her and must resort to that when my energy is expended. Also I have three older smaller dogs of my own that are intimidated my Casey's energy level. My questions are…. does crating the dog hurt her socialization learning? I walk her at least four times a day (we have three acres) for fifteen minutes a walk. Is that enough exercise? Also we have invisible fencing for my three dogs. Is it too early to train the puppy to the fence? I am accustomed to small dogs and as you can tell from my post, I am out of my comfort zone with this puppy. Any help/advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. MJP
We had a rescue spaniel that was kept in a cage for long periods she was incontrolable out doors. We could never let her off the lead and she ignored us outside. I beleive her behaviour was due to the cage. They have this pent up energy it's like opening floodgates. We were her 3rd home she was only 18 months old. We didn't use a cage only in the car as she would jump about all over the place. 15 minute is no way long enough she needs 5 minutes to every month of age. Is it possible to get her out of the cage. People recommend the use but it's easy to abuse. My neighbours pup is locked up all the time he goes mental when let out they moan and tell him off all the time as he is into everything. My puppy has never been caged and is really well behaved and calm happy puppy.
I didn't mean she was caged all day. She is cage for about an hour to an hour and a half at a time. I then take her out to walk for at least 15 minutes. When my son is off work, she is totally out of the cage. She is also out of the cage in my home for brief periods of time perhaps an hour or so. I am learning more about Labrador puppies from this site. I knew nothing until now. I'm beginning to understand that she seems to be a typical lab puppy. Thank you so much for your response.
Hi there, it sounds as though you have your hands full with a lively pup and several other dogs to care for. There are a few different issues raised in your post, others may want add to this, but here are a few initial thoughts Crating Crates are very useful for housetraining puppies, and for young dogs that are still going through the chewing stage to rest in at night and if you need to pop out for an hour or so during the day. However, they are not suitable for keeping dogs in for long periods of time. Have a look at the chart in this article which gives you suggested maximum crate times Socialization Socialization is all about exposing a young dog to new experiences. Lots more info in that link. The main window for socialization closes at 13 to 14 weeks of age. A puppy should have experienced lots of outings and met lots of new people during that early period. However, it's important to keep up the outings and meetings now to make sure your son's puppy remains confident and relaxed in new environments. In theory socialization is not affected by crating, but in practice a dog crated for long periods of time may experience lack of exposure to life in general and behavioral problems related to the incarceration. Electric fences I don't recommend the use of electric fences, and we have a policy on this forum of not promoting any training methods that involve the use of punishment. So apart from adding that invisible fences may also carry the risk of a panicked dog running through them and then not being able to return home, we can't help you with that particular question. Apart from purpose built outdoor kennels and runs, in general it's best to supervise young dogs and not rely on fencing of any kind to contain them. The use of a long line will help you here if the puppy's recall is poor. Exercise It sounds as though the puppy is getting enough exercise - lots of info in this article - perhaps more important is working on the training side of things so that you feel more in control? Do post up with any further questions you may have on that score.
This is fine for 1.5hrs at a time. You might want to give her a Kong stuffed with some food or something tasty jammed in it, to keep her busy mentally in the crate... This is pretty common with Lab pups joining households with existing dogs. How to manage this depends on what the future holds. Is this a temporary arrangement of you looking after her, or is this likely to be a long-term thing or ongoing/permanent? If ongoing/permanent, then you need to approach it with a view towards eventual integration. If not, then separation and management for the time being is best. I would suggest you get a couple of toddler stair gates and put them up on a room. That way she doesn't have to be in her crate (unless you can't supervise her) and your other dogs can get some more space from her in the house with barriers between her. To work towards integration, you'll need to put a leash on her (preferably attached to her harness) and restrain her with that, to allow your dogs to choose to come and meet her - rather than her terrorising them. You might want to tether her on a longish leash to your belt if you are sitting down, for example - that way your other dogs can stay away if they'd prefer but gradually they will all get used to each other. No, not for 1/5hrs at a time and not if you are meeting her needs outside this time. (Or your son is.). For socialisation, she needs to be getting off your property and meeting traffic, people, other dogs outside your house, livestock, bikes, skateboards, people wearing weird things... You will likely need an urban environment. My pups go on a socialisation outing daily with me from 8-16 weeks. We do all our training in the house during this time, and the time we spend outside the house is pure socialisation. Yes, that sounds fine in terms of exercise - perhaps a bit much, even. But besides physical exercise, puppies need more mental exercise and training. I'd suggest replacing two of those outings with some training - using treats, teaching her how to sit, follow you, come when called etc. It will take the same amount of time as the walk and she will be equally tired without going out. Like Pippa says, electric fences are not a good choice for dogs. They have too many adverse side effects to be recommended and especially for puppies - who need to learn the world is SAFE and not SCARY, they are a really poor choice... Dogs should not have free access to the outdoors, IMO - too much goes wrong(!), from fence chasing, barking, eating toxic plants, escaping, chasing animals, learning to guard the property and so on... mine don't even go in the yard without me standing there, watching them!
Thank you all for your help with Casey. For the most part, I am heading in the right direction meeting her needs. She is a very smart, loving and inquisitive puppy. She does seem to want to please but at times needs to go on an ""energetic tantrum" for want of a better description. Those times are a little hard on my home. Not to mention the nerves of my three small dogs. However, we will preserve with her and hope to turn Casey into a well-mannered grown up one day. s.
