Dog People - HELP??

[WDWorBUST]

Your DD7 or the dog? (Sorry ... couldn't resist!)

Well.....now that you mention it.....

 

[HERSEY]

Don't get discouraged. Your little Aussie and you will find what works. If you need advice PM me. I have had my Aussie for several years now. If Minnie can make it your Abby can too.

We were her last ditch hope for a home. We adopted Minnie from a rescue. She came with baggage a steamer trunk full. But we stuck it out with the good guidance of our vet and a armful of training books.

If you can find a good clicker training class near you. Aussie really like that they want to be with you and please her people. They really are a different sort of dog. Oh a word to note keep her on a lead when ever she is out of a fenced area. They are runners.

 

[Wonders10]

Just wanted to chime in. As someone with a rather "spirited" goldendoodle, I get everything you are saying. He turned 2 in October and I'm just now starting to notice him calming down a little, although a dog trainer just told me he will have puppy tendencies up until 3-4 years old!

I do doggy daycare and I trust them to no end. They also have a webcam so I can check up on him during the day (when I remember). I don't take him everyday - just 2-3 days a week, on days when I am working later than usual. Occasionally a Saturday if I'm going to be out the majority of the day, since he is crated when I am not home. He comes home and crashes for the rest of the night.

Any extra movement you can do to tire that pup out will make you and the rest of your family very happy. Also, I swear by what I call "The Cube". My dog even knows it by that name. I ask if he wants "The Cube" and he gets SO excited. It's a cube (duh) and you can put in small treats or dog food (I use dog food) and they have to roll the cube around to get the food to fall out. It gets him moving for a good 20-30 minutes and then he's okay for a bit. They have all sorts of toys like that, but he can destroy even the indestructable toys so my personal options are limited. I don't leave home without it. Seriously, my mom even bought one just so we'd have an extra one when I go visit her since she also has a dog.

Anyway, I sympathize because I understand what you are going through, sort of. It will get easier but I do recommend more movement and a basic obedience class - anything to get her out with you, will probably make her happy. And its great that you have a fenced yard! I don't even have that luxury. A couple extra games of fetch or tag out back could also help, like your DD did today! Good Luck! And belated congrats on your new little one!

 

[surfergirl602]

How about a treadmill? Its what I have to do with my dog on days like today.. -4* out I wish it was 31 here! We'd be out walking! lol

My dogs love the treadmill! They look forward to it, actually!!

 

[Maryr1]

My daughter is now 13 but I had puppies all during her baby years. First, I have yet to meet a pediatrician who thought 30 degrees was too cold to take a baby out in. Bundle up the baby, get one of those zip up fuzzy bunting things and go out-fresh air is great for babies!!! I will say that my daughter had a heart murmer and the doctor had her cleared by cardiology before we started outside strolls in the winter but I live in a very cold area and he was fine with us going out every day. Second-I would do doggy obedience, doggy day care, hire a dog walker-all of these ideas. Finally-when my daughter was sitting up but not walking I used a playpen for her. Put all her toys in it and let her have at it. She was safe and the dogs loved to sit and watch her. She would make it a game and "tease" them by throwing toys out to them. It worked out great. If you can't manage the dog properly, than find it a new home with a family that can. Bored, underexercised dogs are unhappy dogs and things will only get worse. To find a good family-forget a "rehoming fee"-find a good, kind, dogloving family and then offer to cover routine vet care for the next few years-as a way of thanking them for taking over your responsability. We had a beautiful lab that we adored and I got very sick. She was a puppy and too much for me to handle so a friend offered to take care of her until I got back on my feet. They had her for 6 months-we payed for EVERTHING and then when I was well enough to bring her home we offered (and they accepted) us buying them the puppy of their choice-another beautiful lab. Good luck.

 

[scbelleatheart]

Aussie get bored with too much routine. Try to mix up her routine. Also Aussie need Positive training, they are sensitive to negative comands. If you need advice contact your Vet.

You and your family will find what works for you. Aussie are busy, spunky little dogs. They have a huge Napeleon complex.


Good luck

Yes. they do have a Napoleon complex. They will take on anything but they are loyal and so easy to train. Aussies are not meant to be caged. They need room to run. We raised them for about 15 years and positive enfocement is the only way to train them. Have you looked into the invisable fence you don't have to bury in the ground? It is just a unit that you can adjust the area and the battery pack on the collar. We can take it anywhere but she (last one) still gets to run. We also use an electronic door so she can go in and out at will.
This pup does not need to be re-homed. She has a home and the OP already said it is watching out over the baby and has a best freind in her DD. They need to feel useful but they are so devoted to family and protective.
Our first Aussie was amazing. DH got him in college before we met and we did not know how he would react to a baby. He woke me up to let me know if the baby was needing something. He grabbed him as a toddler by the diapers to keep away from something he thought was unsafe (the driveway). He loved to travel and was nice to all strangers unless someone came to our door and he did not trust them. He made me feel safe.

Sorry to go off on a tangent but she will never find a more loyal, safe dog than an Aussie.
Dumb suggestion. Learn to whistle! LOL. Different whistle tones mean different commands. As I said, they are so easy to train.
Good luck!

 

[Minnie]

We have an Austrailian Shepherd. These dogs must have a job to do and tons of exercise. Obedience training starting as a very young puppy is also very important.

Please do not leave this dog in a crate.... 31 degrees is plenty warm enough for the dog to be outside as long as shelter is available. For these dogs crates time should be very minimal.

Even in a small home there must be some room the dog could be in.... If the dog is behind a baby gate and you are concerned with falling then put the baby down some place safe, do what u need in the room, return to baby.... Repeat. Easy no but doing what is right isn't always easy.

If u can't do these few things then it's time to find some place safe for the dog to go (day care), relative (could dog live with other family or friends until u are prepared for the responsibility?) or worst case... Rehome. Good luck.

 

[princessmom29]

Chances are that your 7 year old understands why she doesn't get your undivided attention anymore. Your dog probably doesn't.

I do think that it's hard to communicate an entire situation in a post on a message board. The way it came across really was that the dog was crated pretty much all the time, you didn't have time to walk it anymore, and that you couldn't have it out because you were tripping over it all the time. YOU know the rest of the story, but the rest of us only have what we read to go on. I think everyone was trying to help -- they're just working on limited info.

I agree with the people pushing exercise. The dog simply needs more stimulation, whether its inside or outside or however it happens. More interactive toys, maybe (treat balls or Kongs -- something that requires some work). Or maybe this is the time to explain to your 7 year old exactly how much work she is responsible for in order to take care of HER dog. I am not an advocate of getting a dog for a child -- particularly because when you say "it's really my daughter's dog", that's not true. When you got the dog, you knew your daughter wasn't old enough to assume responsibility for the dog. So it's not really her dog. It's a dog that you got because your daughter wanted one. There's a difference.

What does your daughter do with the dog now? You said that they play outside. Does your daughter have a specific amount of time each day that she must play with / help train her dog? I know she's only 7, but there are plenty of responsibilities she can learn that will help you too. Kids can teach simple commands, do simple grooming -- even just giving the dog her undivided attention for an hour a day can help. The dog gets the attention it so craves, and your daughter gets more bonding time with her pup. I would sit down with DH and DD and work out a schedule. If this is truly to be your daughter's dog, then she needs to help keep it happy, and that includes giving it attention and exercise when you can't.

This is the way I was reading things as well. It is hard to get the full story on a message board.
It seems that what it boils down to is that the dog needs more time and attention than she is getting right now. I am with the PP's who are saying your DD7 might be able to take on some of that responsibility. We have a year old mini doxie that we got last spring. My DD is 7 as well, and just adores our Bella. She is very good with her. Our dog is in a 4x4 indoor inclosure during the day and out any time we are home. She sleeps at the foot of mine & DH's bed. She doesn't have the energy requirments of your dog so we don't really need to walk her, ect. When she gets bored and starts causing trouble, getting into things, ect it is becuase we are not giving her enough of our attention. It is the same as a toddler, If they feel they are being ignored, they will do what it takes to get your attention. I would suggest setting asided a little "dog time" each day to play with her, along with regular exercise.

 

[Hannathy]

I'm still not following why the dog has to be in the crate when you are home? I have had 2 babies with a dog and never had to crate the dog all the time.

It can't even be in the kitchen? I have to agree if you are keeping it in the crate now with an infant how are you going to handle it when the baby starts crawling and being down on the floor. If you can't figure out a way for it to be out of the crate it isn't fair to the dog.

 

[mom2aandj]

My daughter is now 13 but I had puppies all during her baby years. First, I have yet to meet a pediatrician who thought 30 degrees was too cold to take a baby out in. Bundle up the baby, get one of those zip up fuzzy bunting things and go out-fresh air is great for babies!!!

thank you for posting this, I was wondering if I was the only one who thought that was bizarre that the pediatrician said babies can't out when it's 30 degrees. I took both my babies out almost every day--during Chicago winters! 31 degrees sounds almost balmy to me by this point in our winter!

 

[Wonders10]

I'm still not following why the dog has to be in the crate when you are home? I have had 2 babies with a dog and never had to crate the dog all the time.

It can't even be in the kitchen? I have to agree if you are keeping it in the crate now with an infant how are you going to handle it when the baby starts crawling and being down on the floor. If you can't figure out a way for it to be out of the crate it isn't fair to the dog.

This.

I didn't comment on it before because honestly, I forgot, but the dog and baby need to learn how to play and live around each other. Yes the dog is bouncy, but the baby has to learn to live with that, while you should correct the dog for being too bouncy near the baby. The baby isn't going anywhere anytime soon, so you all need to learn to live together.

My dog is not so crazy about my nephew, who is 8. Not sure why, he's okay with my 10 year old niece, but anyway, instead of crating him to avoid any issues, I tether him to me so I can be with him at all times and help him behave and deal with my nephew. Obviously, tethering might not be so good while holding an infant, but something along those lines.

 

[golfgal]

thank you for posting this, I was wondering if I was the only one who thought that was bizarre that the pediatrician said babies can't out when it's 30 degrees. I took both my babies out almost every day--during Chicago winters! 31 degrees sounds almost balmy to me by this point in our winter!

I was thinking the same thing. We would never get out in the winter if we had to wait for it to hit 30 to go out . Unless there are some health issues, there is no reason to keep a baby inside. Now, when it was -20 or so, we would stay in .

Can you put a fence up in your yard so your dog can get some exercise there?? You can play fetch with the dog while the baby is sleeping.

 

[tiggersbombed2]

I'll admit I haven't read the whole thread, but having an energetic dog myself, here's a couple things.

If you have a fenced in yard, have the dd 7 throw a tennis ball for her to run off some energy. If you don't have a fence, put up a "run" with a line and leash attached to it, she can still chase a ball and use up energy.

This type of dog is a very energetic and active dog, also usually quiet smart, if you don't exercise her, she will:

1. Drive you crazy with bounciness

2. Start thinking up things to do on her own, things you don't want her to do

Also, with the crate, I found the dog settled down and was quieter when I put a blanket around three sides of the crate. Makes it cozier and more like a den for her. Her "own space" so to speak.

That's it. There's no other magic cure for it other than exercise. I'm sorry, but dogs will be dogs

 

[SaraJayne]

As others have already pointed out, it is NOT too cold for the baby to be outside. Your pediatrician is wrong, unless there are underlying health problems you've left out.

Bundle the little one up and take out the dog. A quick walk around the block will give everyone some fresh air and exercise for the dog.

 

[Wonders10]

Also, with the crate, I found the dog settled down and was quieter when I put a blanket around three sides of the crate. Makes it cozier and more like a den for her. Her "own space" so to speak.

I also cover my dog's crate. I actually use an old sheet and cover the entire thing when he is in it. With my mom's dog, we didn't know this trick and she didn't make it one night in the crate, because she was so upset and stressed about it. I think it was too big and too open for her to feel secure.

 

[DipsyDoodles]

why is everyone assuming she is in her crate 24/7? This is a short term problem and everyone is suggesting long term drastic measures? Should I find a new home for my 7 year old dd too since she doesn't get my undivided attention anymore? We are having some challenges due to a changing family make-up that I was wanting suggestions on overcoming. She is out with the baby when we are holding her,which is still a lot. I am hoping maybe I just didn't communicate the situation well.

You are doing the best you can and from what I can see you are doing great! You understand there are some issues and are looking for some solutions and reasonable suggestions. You've received some great ideas here and some not so great ones. Best of luck to you and your lovely family