Hello, Jazz is our beautiful 3-month old choc lab (we've only had him for 3 weeks from a breeder) and even though I am with him all day, I am worried he is bored. Because he is still waiting to get his 2nd round of shots, I am not able to take him outside (and he goes on weewee pads on the balcony), he's gone through his toys, and he knows (when he feels like it) most of the basic commands (sit, lie down, paw). I've done the stuffed kong, tried to play/teach fetch (only goes about 2-3 times before he's done), controlled tug of war, hide & go seek with treats, frozen socks, water bottles, puzzles, cereal boxes etc... you name it as I've tried to be creative. I also try to hold-walk him around the neighborhood to get him outside but he's getting a bit heavy now (going on 22 pounds) to carry in which he gets crazy excited when people come up to us. He's much improved in the housebreaking to the balcony and am teaching him to touch the bells. He's very sweet, smart, quick but a bit stubborn if he doesn't want to listen but then again I know it's a puppy way...and of course he's very food driven which I am trying to lessen. Any other ideas/games to play with Jazz as I feel I am constantly having to play with him every other hour (he naps the other hours) of something new and exciting & I've run out of ideas! If I don't give him something to do, then he starts getting into everything (always has to have something in his mouth non-stop) and I feel like I am depriving him or something like that (mommy guilt?)... Thanks for any suggestions...
Re: Bored puppy? At 3 months Jazz should be really receptive to new experiences. Take him out in the car to a supermarket, railway station, town centre or anywhere that he'll get new experiences. If he's too heavy you can sit him on your knee on a bench while he soaks it up. Just keep him away from other dogs. I'd also say that its not a bad thing for a puppy to learn to be bored.
Re: Bored puppy? I ditto what hollysdad said, take him out in the car so he can see and smell new stuff. Also try training other stuff like practising heelwork, stays, recall and other bits like that, all uselfull stuff for when he gets intoduced to the big wide world.
Re: Bored puppy? You might want to consider taking him out in a back-pack, or even in an unused child's buggy if he is too heavy. The more socialisation the better. But do remember that if you want a dog that isn't always "wanting to do something" then he will need to learn how to "self soothe". He's just a baby though - plenty of time for that stuff - Moms are there to be worn out ;D
Re: Bored puppy? I second the post about learning to self soothe - you don't want him to be 100% reliant on humans for play and interaction, he should learn to occupy himself and be on his own as you will have to leave him alone at some point. Get him used to lying quietly by himself with a stuffed kong. Go and watch tv for half and hour and just ignore him. Let him be bored for a little bit, he will learn to be more independent that way. Most of all, just stick it out. Once you are able to start walking him the issue should disappear as he will be much more mentally stimulated by going out and about and this will tire him out when you get back home.
Re: Bored puppy? Hello, thank you all! I know it's not all about me but I was so relieved to hear the suggestions of leaving him to self-soothe (because mama needs a break! ;-) He went to the vet last night to have his parasites checked out and the vet said she can sponsor a playdate with her (HUGE!) dog who is a gentle giant so now he'll have playdates which I am ver happy about. Thank you all for your suggestions and ideas and car and bench trips is great!
