we have a 11 week old yellow female. When will she calm down so we can do the things we use to do around the house?
Haha - sorry to laugh but Labs don't really calm down until well into adulthood, about three years old. The best time to get things done is when the puppy is snoozing - and tiny pups snooze plenty Welcome to you from Mags, Tatze and Mollie Tatze is my pet dog, a black Lab and she's three years old. Tatze means 'paw' in German. Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, a black Lab and she's nineteen weeks old. ...
Yup, it's going to be a long time yet before you can relax when your puppy is out and about. Mine is nearly 16 weeks and I have to watch her like a hawk when she's awake and out of her pen. I've just emptied the washing machine, hung up the laundry and reloaded it. Should have taken about five minutes, took thirty because of the pup. I could have made it easier on myself by putting her in her pen, but it was far more fun this way!
Her, "How old is he?" Me, "Nine." Her, "He should calm down when he gets a bit older." Me, "Years. Nine years, not nine months." Her, "Oh....., I thought he was a puppy." HE was good in the house at 5.5 months after I started letting him have free roam of it at night. Amazingly he did NOT roam, just slept on his bed on the floor at the foot of our bed. It made a remarkable difference to his daytime behaviour but I still was careful not to leave him unsupervised for long. Like more than a few minutes.
Stanleys 10 months now. This weekend OH and I have been decorating our spare bedroom and porch- 3 months ago I would've laughed and said the dog won't allow it. He's taken everything in his stride this weekend. Either asleep in his bed or watching us with interest from behind the baby gate. He's had about half as much attention as he usually does. One day you'll just realise things are better and you have your life back and a new best mate
This is what I miss when there's not a pup in the house - the FUN! It's also a great excuse not to do much housework ...
A pen, a crate and baby gates. All super useful. Of course, your puppy still needs a lot of interaction, so they shouldn't be used to shut her away so she doesn't cause a nuisance - puppies are supposed to be a nuisance, it's how they learn! But, when you really need to get stuff done, you can pop her in and she (and your house) will be safe.
We feel bad putting her in her crate on our days off since she's in it the days we work. Guess we shouldn't feel bad right?
Hi @Skives19 - if you are leaving your pup in the crate when you are working, its maybe a bit unfair to leave her in when you are home. Its really important to interact and train, but there are times puppy needs Time Out - they don't know when they are overtired, they just get more bitey and more wound up. How long is your pup left alone? That might have an influence on how much she needs the interaction when you are there. jac (PS - welcome from me and Lilly)
Wow! That's a long time. Maybe getting a bit more interaction during your work time might help when you are home. She might just be desperate for attention and interaction. Do you have someone that could visit more regularly and break the day up? A friend, neighbour, or a dog walker or access to doggy daycare?
Not really. My wife goes home on lunch to feed her and let her out. Should we consider giving her back to the breeder?
9 hours is far, far, far too long for a tiny baby of 11 weeks to be spending alone. If you really have no options - including dog walkers (who won't be walking her at this age, but spending time with her) or appropriate doggy day care - then I would seriously think if you can give her what she needs, which is far more social interaction. If you can't meet this need - which is as important as food and health - then maybe you should consider that she may be better off with someone else. I'm surprised the breeder let you have a puppy with this sort of schedule! It is possible to work full-time and have a puppy. Here's an article which may help you: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/combining-a-labrador-puppy-with-full-time-work/
Whoa! That's not for me to say. It is important to think carefully about how you take care of your puppy in his or her early weeks and months, as this is when they learn good and bad behaviours. I am a working mum myself (for kids and puppy) so do understand, but you need to invest a lot of time and energy at this stage to benefit from a well-adjusted, calm, faithful companion in years to come. You might find it helpful to read this article.... http://www.thelabradorsite.com/combining-a-labrador-puppy-with-full-time-work/
Hi and welcome from me too . I think what you must also bear in mind is that because your puppy is left for an awfully long time , she is going to be even more hyper and OTT when she has got company and freedom , both of which pups need, especially the former . It would really be unfair to expect her to be anything other than very excitable around you when she is restricted for so long ,and on her own too .It can be worked around for sure , but needs some careful planning and reliable help in order for things to be better, for all of you .
She is great. Obviously excited when we get home or meets other people. She never messes in her crate. Only thing that needs work is biting and chewing things she shouldn't. She is out of the crate whenever we are home.
That's fine, but she really needs more social interaction during the day, or you are very likely to find she has behavioural issues as she gets older. It's not fair for her to be alone for so long. Dogs are social animals, and especially our Labradors. Please try and find a way that she can get these needs catered for. As I said, it really is as essential as food.
