keep my dog busy while the wife and I want to be ALONE?

Question

I need suggestions on keeping my 8 month old puppy happy when the wife and I want to shut the door to the bedroom. He usually sleeps in bed with us, and otherwise is very well behaved. While we work he stays in a crate. If we crate him while in the house he won't stop crying. He will roam the house while we run short errands (1-2 hours) with no trouble (chewing, accidents) but if we leave him out he'll scratch at the door and cry. I've tried giving him busy bones, but I worry that they are too much food for him. He's only 20 pounds and he'll eat a whole one if I let him. I just worry that's an excessive amount of food for a puppy with his usual dinner. Harder chew treats like pig ears don't hold his attention long enough though. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I suggest putting your pup in a crate in your bedroom. He will still feel as though he's with you, but he won't be able to jump in between you. lol.. For distraction during this time, get him a 'Kong' toy that is his size, and fill it with a mixture of broken bits of doggie treats and peanut butter. If you are too worried about his gaining weight you could use some cheerios in place of the treats. It will take him hours trying to get all the peanut butter mixture out. Also good for distraction is a "Busy-box" toy. It's a large rubber cube with hiding places for treats. Only by moving the cube around with his nose, mouth, and paws can your dog get to the goodies.

Answer 2

An adult dog can be crated for 9 hour stretches, however there are other options like getting a dog-walker to come in sometime in the middle of the day and give your dog a short walk and the opportunity to go pee. Note that keeping a dog crated is NOT cruel like some people think. Actually it is fairly natural for dogs. In the wild feral dogs and wolves will dig dens to stay in. The crate becomes the dog's den. It is common for dogs living in the wild to stay in a den out of sight all day long and only come out at dusk.

Answer 3

well the first thing i would recommend for training is to buy your dog a doggie pillow and teach it to lay down on his pillow so it will get the idea that is where it sleeps, its still young enough, i have a lab mix and hes only 55lbs but he does take the whole bed when he sleeps, impossible for the hubby and i to sleep well.

another thing you can do to give your puppy something to do while it is alone time for you and your partner is to got to either walmart or any pet store and look for what is called a Kong toy, they come in different sizes, you may have heard of them. you can fill the one end with milk bones or something that will keep his attention, peanut butter. and let him loose on it. it is also quite entertaining to watch. very tough little toy, although you will have to clean out the leftover Pb when hes done with it. anything that will peak his interest, you can even use sliced ham or turkey. in very slim portions to start with.
but just remember to keep him from being bored with it after a while, be sure to put it up and away until that time should come along again.

Answer 4

This is normal when you only have one pet in the family. They depend on you to entertain and be close to them 24/7. I had many many dogs in my lifetime. When you have 2 dogs, you'll never have to worry about entertaining again. They are so content having one of their own with them at all times-they entertain eachother. They get so lonely alone, thus, the reason why they're so wild (usually) when you get home. .so to ignore them by closing the door when their best friends ARE home is just devistating to them...so they let you know by crying and chewing. Good Luck to you! You may want to try butcher bones from the market..they are cheap and you can get a whole pack and freeze them.

Answer 5

Either get used to him scratching and get on with your business or crate him. If the door is shut you won't hear him...this sounds cruel but responding to the whine only contributes to the whining and he'll continue. It's like picking up a baby everytime it cries, there's a point where you need to let it be.

Answer 6

Start crating him regularly a little bit at a time while you are at home to get him used to it and then when he gets the idea that the crate is a safe zone and not a forever thing you guys will be able to have some "quality time" without interruptions.
When he whines in his crate IGNORE him. Only let him out when he quiets down.

Answer 7

I would never, ever allow a dog in the bed. It sets the dog up to believe they are equal to you, and they need to realize that you and your wife are the pack leaders, and he is just a dog. I would crate the dog when it is time for bed. He will argue with you at first, but he will get used to going in his "cave" when it's time for bed. If he cries in it, put a blanket over the cage to block drafts and light and he'll calm down.

Answer 8

there are kids in the neighborhood, most will walk a dog for a hour for 3 bucks, might be during nice light hours, on the weekend but its still time alone.if not there are proffesion dog walkers who walk a dog for a hour.if u are rich there are places that will entertain your dog with walks, playtime etc,its called i think doggy care. if not the walker might be the best idea.or if u have neighbors with a pet that gets along, maybe suggest playdates and switchtimes , might help you more.

good luck=)

Answer 9

Well I understand that you and your wife want to be by yourselves behind closed doors. But you know have your dog chained and/or fenced outside, and then you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If it scratches at the door, my dog used to do the same thing. But I have got used to it. So just get used to it. and keep it outside in a cage or chained.

Answer 10

try to baby gate him in the kitchen or in a room, My dog hates crates to. You can buy a baby gate from any store for like $10.00. My dog never wines when we put behind the gate, We also keep her gated in the kitchen when we leave the house so no messes by chance.