My boyfriend and I both work 8 hour days. I am home on lunch to play and let our 3 month old Australian Shepherd out. Also in the a.m. and p.m. we work him a lot. Go for walks/runs, and bring him to parks until he is pretty wore out. My question is since he is alone for almost 8 hours a day what things could keep him occupied while were gone? Toys, etc......? He is kept in doors, and right now since he is small we keep him in a large kennel and he bahves very well. But we will allow him his entire room if thats better with maybe a baby gate at the door? Opinions PLEASE!!!!
*also, i realize Aussies are working dogs and need a job, but he is not purebred he is a mix. The only thing that resembles an Aussie is his coloring, otherwise he is very petite. We adopted him because he was practically on his death bed at 6 weeks old. So PLEASE no harsh criticism on his breed because there is nothing we can do about it now. We love him dearly and want the best for him
2007-09-28 05:41:31 · 20 answers · asked by JustBlah 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sounds like you are doing a great job! When my hubby and I both worked, I baby gated my little dogs in the kitchen as it has a tile floor, so if there was an accident it was easy to clean up. Just leave him a lot of toys, fresh water. Some people leave chew bones for their dogs, but I don't like to give them that stuff unattended. Too afraid they might choke. Dogs really do sleep a LOT, so he probably sleeps nearly all the time you are gone. If he is a chewer you can buy a spray called "bitter apple". Spray it on your wood or wicker or anything else he might chew up, it works really well. If you give him the run of the room, make sure all electrical cords are up and away from him. Hope this helps and good luck!
2007-09-28 05:47:08 · answer #1 · answered by doris s 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Glad to see you know about your breed. And just because he's a mix, doesn't mean those Aussie tendencies won't come through. but props to you for making sure he g3ets his exercize (quite the job right there).
I sugest you get a KONG.
Our Irish wolfhound/Bullmastif had a problem with being left home alone. (I have a few chewed up DVDs to prove it) and had major anxiety problems when left alone. So we bought a KONG at Petco and started puting Peanutbutter and treats in it (Big dogs need the extra protien anyway), the result??? A MUCH happier dog. When we get ready to leave the house all we have to do is say "Go get your kong" and she'll bring it to us, we fill it with yummy treats (Which takes her up to an hour to get at). She'll be so involved with getting the treats out, she never even notices when we leave anymore. And no more chewed up furniture or DVDs.
Also, you could think about getting another dog or a cat (depending on how your dog does with cats) to keep him company while you're out.
Sounds like you're doing a pretty good job so far, kep it up.
2007-09-28 08:09:16 · answer #2 · answered by reptileandee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's ok in the crate, I would leave him there until he's closer to a year (or reliable in the house - meaning, NO accidents for 3 months, and NO destructive chewing - almost impossible for most puppies until at least 1 year or even 18 months). However, regarding the working dog part, I think all dogs need a job - even mutts/mixes. To that end, be sure you are training commands consistently/daily and give him interactive toys and play time with you that involves some problem solving (he needs to use his brain as much as he needs physical exercise). See links for tips on appropriate toys, games, etc. Sounds like you are very invested in making this work. Kudos!
2007-09-28 05:51:38 · answer #3 · answered by no qf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an aussie too but she's kept in an outdoor kennel because she needs a lot of room to run around 24/7. She is seven years old and people ask me if she's 7 months old! These are very active dogs that need a lot of exercise. During the day I'd have plenty of toys for him to play with in a designated room that can be separated from the rest of the house. Just make sure nothing valuable is in there because they LOVE to chew!
2007-09-28 05:51:38 · answer #4 · answered by ☆ღWifey Wifeyღ☆ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should worry much because just like humans dogs get tired from doing too much running around. The best thing is to keep toys around for your dog, anything from a squeeze toy to a chew bone. As long as you have something around for your dog to play with, it should be fine.
When I had my dog in my mother's apartment, she would look out the window when nobody was home and sometimes she would even sleep all day because her food wasn't touched from when her bowl was filled in the morning to the time anybody got home.
But since you have a room for him I would say let him have the whole room for the day so that way he could look out the window.
2007-09-28 06:06:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 3 months, I don't know if you are capable of estimating his adult size but that is really unimportant. Did he seem to inherit the temperament and activity level of the Australian Shepherd? If so, then you are 'right on' to wear him out as often as you can. A dog with pent up energy, left on their own for long periods of time will make their own 'job' or entertainment and it usually isn't anything we appreciate. You are doing a great job right now and at this age, keep him in the large crate. He honestly doesn't have a lot of bladder/bowel control yet but that will increase as he matures. Keep plenty of toys for him to occupy himself with. If you haven't been told yet, a Kong is great! Put peanut butter, the canned squirt cheese in it and freeze it. Give it to him as you leave. He will spend lots of time working on that!
I know your schedules are prettty busy, but if you could find time to enroll him in a basic obedience class when he has all his vaccinations and is about 6 months old, that will be an amazing tool for you too.
Keep up the great job you are doing with him!
2007-09-28 05:55:03 · answer #6 · answered by gringo4541 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My large breed dog gets really anxious when we leave. We tried to give him run of the house but he just enjoys eating the window blinds too much. He has a little room with a window we've confined him in, and he actually seems to enjoy that a little more. Its very small, almost like a over-sized crate.
Also we've been leaving articles of our smelly clothing with him so he doesn't feel abandoned; when we leave we don't say "goodbye" and make a big production of it; and, we've been leaving the radio on for him as well.
My only problem with the radio being on is that he seems to really enjoy listening to right-wing loud mouths.
2007-09-28 07:30:29 · answer #7 · answered by A Friend of Cooper 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can get him some safe things to chew on, like bully sticks. They are very hard, completely digestable, and they do not break or splinter. They also do not stain carpet. Our dog loves them.
You can try toys like Kongs. Fill the king with canned dog food and put it in the freezer overnight. Then it makes a tasty long lasting toy they actually want to chew on.
Puzzle toys are treat too. The hide - a - squirrel is a soft tree stump that you stuff little toy squirrels in. The dog has to work at getting them out. There are several different toys based on this kind of concept.
Good luck
2007-09-28 05:50:45 · answer #8 · answered by GoldfishPond 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some people can be so mean! i think you are amazing for rescuing him. a lot of these people don't even walk their dogs let alone think about their needs. i have two australian cattle dogs and they are home all day. we have a doggy door so i know they go outside and play, but we leave them kongs (toys filled with treats inside) we also leave rawhide bones, the flavored ones. this keeps them pretty occupied. do you have any squeaky toys? my 6 month old pup LOVES anything that makes noise!
the walks you give him should be great for a while. you are doing great and i hope this helps! =)
2007-09-28 06:00:37 · answer #9 · answered by jesicat44 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a dog too so I know it's hard to part with him/her for any time period but in all of the dog manuals that i have read here in the library (I use them to learn more about how to best take care of my boxer) the most common answer to your problem is simply to just get another dog one that your current dog can play with while you can not if another dog is not what you want right now the books also suggest a cat as a companion contrary to what many believe dogs and cats get along very well like I said earlier I have a pure bread boxer and he loves to curl up next to my black mane coon (cat) so the cat can provide your dog with many hours of enjoyment and entertainment
2007-09-28 05:52:13 · answer #10 · answered by Ali_Lynn1039 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋