Hello, I thought I could manage. I have adopted a now 10 month old Labrador mix (thought to also be border collie) from the local pound. I've had him for a little over a month. A few problems are arising. 1) He is able to hold his bladder when I crate him during the night 8-9hrs and throughout the day ~4hrs (as I come and let him out at lunch). But when I am home he gets antsy at the 3hrs range. Is this a normal discrepancy? 2) He is destroying the place. Blinds (I think he wanted to see outside, I've since put up Bristol board, we'll see if that works), counter surfing, a planter's soil all over the carpet, destroyed cables, destroyed tissues and garbage all over the place. What kind of activities can I try to entertain him while I'm gone? I've tried a frozen kong/bone/toys/hidden food but he dosn't touch it till I'm back. I've taped him and he tends to whine for ~15 min then he sleeps and moves form place to place. I live in an apartment but I've been trying to provide him with enough exercise throughout the day 3x30min walks (1 in am 1 after work and 1 before bed). This will be vital as I would really like for him to get used to the full 8.5hrs of work while I'm gone. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dan
Hi. Unfortunately 8.5 hours per day alone is far too long to be alone for any dog, and in my opinion is not fair to expect them to be fine with this, especially if he is then crated at night too. I work full time but have a dog walker 3 days a week and day care once a week and I work from home for one day per week, so she gets out several times throughout the day and she’s sleeps with us. Dogs are very sociable animals and need company. He’s probably not trained to be alone and his destruction is him saying he’s bored and probably stressed. If he’s not eating food you’ve left, that probably due to stress/upset too. As for toileting, even though they can hold it longer overnight, day times are very different when they are active and eating/drinking. Very similar to us humans really - I know I hold it for much longer overnight than during the day.
I agree with @Naya 8 hours is far too long for a dog to be left - especially a mix of 2 of the smartest breeds. If my dog went over 8 hours on his own with a lunch time pop in he would destroy my house too. Me and my OH both work full time. The longest Stanley is left is 2.5 hours then it's broken up with an hours walk from family or a dog walker. He gets about 2.5 hours of walks the days we are gone the longest - 45 minutes on the morning with me, 1 hour from dog walker, 45 minutes from OH when he gets in. He gets left with a frozen kong by me and the dog walker and he generally sleeps in his bed the rest of the time. He only has access to the kitchen while we're not there. Have you looked into local dog walkers or daycare? They can really be helpful with having a dog while you work. Or do you have any family/neighbours that could split the day up for him a bit? He's still very much a baby and they need so much time and attention at this age. Good luck!
I was thinking of doing a 2x weekly doggy daycare. Unfortunately the dog walkers around here are prohibitively expensive for daily walks. Would day crating on the off days be an acceptable option?
Hi Dan, I am afraid your dog is destructive because he is bored, lonely and wants attention, something to do, exercise and company. It is not fair to lock him up alone for so long, a dog walker or day care is the best option if you cannot be there for him. Could you get home during your work day for your lunch maybe? If he gets more exercise - physically and mentally - he will tire out easier and rest for longer but leaving him in a crate for longer than 4 hours is not healthy for him. The day care is a brilliant idea, if you did that on alternate days he would be more tired on the days in between. Maisy goes to day care one day a week and the next day is still tired from it.
Hi, as you will no doubt have realized a lab/border collie mix is a high-energy, intelligent mix - and 10 months is usually a bag load of trouble, to boot! Of course you have to go to work, but it sounds like your pup just isn't coping well yet. I would do some training with him at the weekends (for instance, join a training group) so that he is mentally stimulated, do more training with him during the week (lots of searching and retrieving games, tricks, etc), to keep him happy and his brain busy. Doggy day care twice a week is a great idea. If you can come home at lunch once a day, and find a neighbour or a dog walker for another break, you will probably find he does better. If there are other people around who have dogs, you may be able to work out a system whereby you walk each others dogs alternately. Lots of us work and have a dog; it's not always easy, but we do find ways to make it work. He's not being naughty when he is destructive, I am sure you understand that, it is that he is nervous and has separation anxiety. And well done for rescuing your friend from the pound! What's his name, and have you got any photos?
