My brother is getting married in a few weeks and when they go to Europe for their honeymoon we are going to look after his dog, Obe, a German short haired pointer. Obe is 3 years old now and will be staying with us for 5 weeks. Obe is a good dog. Well socialised and well trained. Arnie, my 1 and a half year old lab is also a good dog. Well socialised and well trained. They are best mates when they hang out together. The only thing is they play non stop. And Arnie is insufferable. He is a typical full on over the top life of the party, I wanna play with everyone all the time kind of lab. Typical. He doesn't know when to stop What I am concerned about is how we are gonna get these two to settle down for bed time and what our sleeping arrangements should be. I am open to suggestions. Arnie was crate trained as a baby. We have since gotten rid of it and he sleeps on a mat in the living room. Obe wasn't crate trained but is a little more reserved in temperament and content to sleep on a mat as well, wherever it may be. Should I seperate the two for bed time? Should I get the crate out for Arnie again? Thanks for the help
We have had Ella's best buddy Hamish (4 year old choccy lab) stay with us. Ella can be a bit if a nutter during the day and often pestered him to play. We used a baby gate to give them both space to calm down but we found they both learned to settle in the room together. Night time ended up being a complete non issue as both dogs settled in their beds right next to each other and slept all night! We were fully prepared to put them in separate rooms but it ended up being a non issue. Hopefully it's the same for you!
Why is it cruel? It's Arnie's bed. Obe isn't crate trained. Most crate trained dogs like to sleep in their crate, even months after they've been decrated.
When I've had my friends dogs to stay they did play a lot, but learnt to settle during the day for rest periods, and they both slept welol at night - they actually slept longer overnight as they were so tired from the days antics.
I have Tatze's Best Friend in The Whole Wide World, Zaba, to stay often. When we meet up for walks or at each other's houses for coffee they play madly ceaselessly- but when he comes to stay they play-snooze-play-snooze-repeat. I would have a way of separating them just in case and teach the command 'enough'. With Zaba and Tatze 'enough' shouted loud means tasty treats.
Annie loves her crate. We did take it down. but she wouldn't settle, so we put it back up. She gets most put out if Fred or one of the cats nips in for quick snooze. When my niece went on holidays her Lab Gazza use to come and have his holiday with us. Robbie and Gazza played like mad together, but I use to say Thank you loudly and they would stop. We had no problems at night they both slept on the sofa together.
I'm sure getting out the crate would be a good thing for Arnie. He may well go in for a bit of peace on his own. Could you borrow a crate for Obe, or put up a temporary baby gate. Once the initial excitement has eventually worn off they will rest calmly together. May be dome long walks in the first few days might help.
