Hello, I have a 5 month puppy lab, and I’ve never had a dog before and don’t know what to expect over the next year or two. Goes without saying, I’m in love with her. She’s super sweet, but also, needs a lot of work. I live alone in a spacious two bedroom apartment on the second floor. She lives with me. I walk her twice a day for half an hour (could do more but hip dysplasia worries) morning and evening, 30 + 30. And lunch time, we go out for a quick pee / poop (I run back from work). I don’t leave her alone for more than four hours. I’ve been training her basic obedience with a trainer and she’s doing well. We play fetch and other games during the day when I can. Groom her myself twice a week, brush teeth, cut nails etc. Socialize her with other dogs every other week at doggy day care. Basically, I’m doing everything I can. Giving her all the time I can afford. My social life is done with as I don’t have any time anymore. I’m really giving her all I’ve got. Now I’m wondering, is this enough ? Yesterday, I left her for an hour and she literally ate through a thick wood door. Did not see that coming or think it was possible. I’ve been doing everything possible and yet it doesn’t seem like it’s enough. These events happen here and there and it’s frustrating. So my question is this, when she’s around 12 months, or 18, will it be easier to take care of Kaya ? Will she calm down ? Need less attention ? At this pace I’m going to burn out, but if this things will get easier, I’ll soldier on. I understand they’re working dogs and need to move. I run every morning and once she’s older I’ll take her with me. Night walks I can do an hour too once her hips are developed. But again, will this be enough ? Or will she continue to destroy stuff when left alone ? I want to keep her. I’m willing to put the effort. But when will it get easier ? And will all the effort be worth it ? I get days (when she has diarrhea for example and poops all over the place) where I wonder if it’s worth it. Any veterans, your input would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi RamJr. Sounds like a bit of separation anxiety. Crate train. May sound cruel but done correctly it's a safe space for them. Done it with all are dogs. Its the dogs space. Get the largest one you can. Are crate is one for a Mastiff. Easy bed to clean (just in case) and covered on three sides in blankets to make it snug. You can set a camera up to watch them while your out as well. Should soon start too settle. Chris
Hello, sounds like you have a lot of good things happening. How many hours in total do you leave your dog for on a typical working day, is that four hours total or 4 hours between breaks? Like the camera suggestion which I find useful and can check it from my phone. The other thing I do and have always done, when I leave her at home, she has heat food, in 3/4 food toy dispensers. It gives her a little something to do but also she associates me going with a good thing. Puppies and young dogs require a lot of support I agree. yes she will calm , perhaps a little later than you suggest. What do you mean by calm? Do you mean cope when are are out?
Train your pup to use a crate, it will be the best thing you ever do! Done properly, you're pup will love the crate and it provides a safe place when left. There's lots of information on here to help with crate training
Destruction is usually due to separation anxiety. If she is expecting to be left for 4 hours, a quick wee, then another 4 hours, the she likely panics when she is left, assuming it is likely to be 4 hours. It takes a lot of time and effort to build a puppy up to be ok with being left for 4 hours.
Hi Chris, thanks for the reply. Okay Im going to try that out. She already sleeps in her cage and enjoys it. Its quite big as well, made for labs. Also covered from 3 sides with a blanket. So rather than leave her in the kitchen / balcony when I leave, its best to leave her in her crate right ? So some days Ill leave her once a day for about 3 hours, other days, twice a day and also for 3 hours each time. Thanks again.
Hello Sian, thanks for the reply. Yes, relative to some of stories I've heard, it seems like Kaya is a good little puppy. So these days, I only try to leave her once a day for 3 hours. But sometimes, Im forced to leave her 2 times a day, for around 3 hours each time. So by calm I guess I mean okay with being alone / not chewing on stuff. Also, just being more chill in general. I've never owned a dog and Im wondering ... say when she's 12 to 18 months, I take her out for an hour run every morning, will she be okay being indoors for the rest of the day ? Then a long walk in the evening. Given I don't have a garden, I want to make sure I'm giving her what she needs.
Hey Debs, thanks for reply. So leaving a puppy in a crate is better than say leaving her say in the kitchen / balcony ? I figured she's like having more space. Thank you.
At 12 months her joints are still growing. Perhaps and hour running in morning may still be too much then. At that age yes she will be starting to calm but is still a young dog and still learning too. Personally I would not leave my dog in a crate for hours at night and day. As a puppy she slept in our room in a crate. In the day I left my dog in our kitchen with things to do, good challenge toys, and cardboard boxes to shred. I gradually built up her alone time. Since 13 months she has been left with access to our kitchen and living room, that has no fun items left in it such as shoes! She has never chewed furniture, she did chew up a dog bed once at 9 months but that’s it. It is hard to work snd have a social life in the week, if I have been in work (part time) I don’t leave her again that day. That’s not an age thing and its not just about exercise it’s also about company. Yes puppy’s are hard work and demand a lot of attention. Yes it does get easier as they mature. Hope sharing my experiences help in some way.
It may not be separation anxiety - and just be boredom? My lab had similar destructive tendencies at a similar age (though was left alone for 10+ hours in a day). He was fully house trained by 19 weeks. But - he started to chew the door frames in the kitchen and laundry (where he was confined to, whilst I was out of the house), because he was so bored (and perhaps a bit hungry, because he was/is a growing boy). So I started to leave him 1-2 frozen kongs (depending on how long I'd be out for), filled with something like chicken, rice, and vegetables, and maybe a smear of peanut butter hidden in the middle. It seemed to work for us - my pup seemed to stop damaging my house further, and I'd come home to an empty Kong (or two, if I'd given him two that day). And, because it was frozen when he started, if his gums were hurting because he was teething, it was something cool he could chew on for a while to help his gums feel better for a while. (Obviously, I had to manage his breakfast and dinner quantities based on how many filled Kongs I was giving him too). Labs are intelligent animals, they need to be challenged. Physically and mentally. My Lab never ceases to amaze me at how he figures things out, or proceeds to deal with a challenge. Even when we're playing games. I've watched him many times, entertaining himself. He picks up a toy, and throws it, and then chases after it. It's amazing to watch at how he keeps himself entertained. But he wouldn't be able to do that if I kept him in a crate. He needs space to do that. Something else suggested to me once was to put some kibble in an egg carton, and close it, and leave it for the pup to figure out how to open. It still takes my pup a good 5 mins to work out the best way to open it. But five minutes spent doing that, was five minute saved from something else. I've read elsewhere that snuffle mats are good, but I've not personally tried that with my lab. Find things to keep your pup mentally challenged in your absence.
