Re: Question for the dog people
 

I agree not all small dogs are how docile...terriers for example and not all large dogs are a handful, destructive or noisy. I am also referring to pups...many dogs calm down as they get older. IMO you have to do the research...choose the breed to fit your lifestyle and family.

When I bought my first dog I was single, living in an apartment and working...although I was able to get home at lunch time. I went to a vet and asked his advice...he recommended a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It was an excellent choice and over the years I have had 5 Cavs.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

He likes the dog.

He doesn't like not being able to leave the house without the dog howling.

He lives in a duplex.

If he leaves the dog howling, it will annoy his neighbours.

End of story!

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Somehow, I think not.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

End of nice quiet house maybe!! ;)

Re: Question for the dog people
 

If that was the end of the story you wouldn't have posted.....:p

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Is it possible to sedate the dog while he's out for a long period?

Re: Question for the dog people
 

or burn a doobie in the background - that should chill him out no end

Re: Question for the dog people
 

The dog or the Son
























Anyway thought you werent into that 'lifestyle'

Re: Question for the dog people
 

You know very well i'm not ;) its wot i've heard like eh!

Re: Question for the dog people
 

:ohmy:

Is that a joke? Please tell me it is!!!!

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Purley....

It struck me that your sons attempt to sit on the steps is probably not going to give him the idea of what happens when he's out.... the dog could probably still smell him and wondered why daddy was outside and he was inside.

Just because he was out of sight of the dog doesnt mean he was out of 'smell' range... :D

Without reading back over the posts... would it be worth getting an account from the neighbours? I mean it could be that once he's out, the dog settles and they dont hear a peep from him. Personally I would get the neighbours in on the whole situation. They will probably be the best people to ask what the dog does when your son is out.... you never know... they may even offer to let the dog out for you. He may find the dog doesnt cause any problems at all.... after all, you want the dog to aclimatise to your sons house... not yours. :)

Re: Question for the dog people
 

my dog loved the crate, it was a safe haven from the kids :thumbsup:

BUT fi the dog hates it then every day you give in to him you are showing him who is the alpha. i think your son needs to have thought this thru a bit before getting a cute little puppy ( he is obviosly concerned with the dogs welfare but where does he put that above his hardwood floors?) getting a dog is on a par with getting a baby, hey take time to get used to and they will do things you dont expect, like refuse to go in the crate.

good luck and remind him that he propbs wouldnt liek to go into a tiny room where he has no water and cant go toilet for hours on end just as he is left alone by the only person he really knows.

maybe he needs to look at a dog sitting service, as it seems to work for him at your house.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I agree with the bit about its like having a baby (not that I've had one of those)... but the same principal of an inquisitive toddler.

Since we lost our doggie :( its taking a bit of getting used to... not having to watch the clock as to when we need to get back home. Not having to put food out of reach... not having dog hairs all over the place, dust, mud, huge sticks placed neatly by the hearth, finding the dog under the duvet on the bed with his head on my pillow when we'd left the bedroom door open by mistake, visitors being greeted with two paws on the shoulder (never managed to train him out of that one), being able to leave the front door open if we went outside for something. I also miss the water bowl being upturned, muddy footprints on the sofa when he'd sneak into the house without me knowing, toilet rolls shredded to bits, my peanut butter jar somehow stolen from the third shelf, the lid unscrewed and him lying on the kitchen floor enjoying a snack (still dont know how he got the lid off without thumbs) and of course his favourite.... putting his head in the swing bin and ending up with the lid hanging around him like a collar and saying "It wasnt me... I was nowhere near the bin"

Those were the days...

I miss every minute of it and would have all the chaos and devastation back in a heart beat.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

It wasn't meant to be a joke. I know they sedate pets when they fly and they are in a create, so why not when they are in a create at home?
It was just a thought, and not one to to get the A.L.F. on my case. :(

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I just wondered ;)

I know they sedate them sometimes for travel but I think that is a one off sort of thing.... dont think he'd want his dog turning into some sort of junkie :lol:

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I asked my vet about sedating my dog when we moved to the US...he said it was too dangerous unless a vet accompanied the dog during the flight. Others who post in the MBTTUK forum have been given the same answer from their vet too.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Nice if you can afford the QM2 Southampton to NY though...... they have kennels onboard. :D

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Hi,

I had a problem like this for years with my old dachshund. Whenever I left the house he would cry and bark until I got home. I used to leave him in different rooms with all sorts of food and toys but still no luck!
Eventually I worked out that when he was shut in one room he thought I was still in the house somewhere and wanted my attention. As soon as I left him with the whole house to explore he stopped barking. It changed everything and meant that I could go out without worrying that he was driving the neighbours crazy!
I know that doesn't help with the chewing and I will say that my lab was destructive for years and only calmed down when she had her own litter of pups. My mothers male lab is now nine and is still destructive and has to be left in an outside run during the day, it just depends on the dog I think.
Good luck anyway!

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Its not a good idea to sedate an animal when flying if not attended to during the flight which if in cargo its going to be.

Some airlines wont even accept a sedated animal for transport.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

:wub: i love my dog. he does all of this and more bless him.


also id say sedating a healthy dog who is bored is a bad idea.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I don't think that works with dogs, ours never seem to be mellowed no matter how many people are smoking. It does work with cats though, I once drove to Toronto from San Diego with a cat loose in the car. Supertoked in SD and again in Nebraska the cat rolled around on the dashboard all the way, no trouble at all.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

How irresponsible of you, driving whilst under the influence of drugs. The cat could have had a seizure don't you know.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Only secondhand smoke for me please note.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I'm puzzled why so many of you, and mostly you seem regular people, why would you get a small creature, take it away from it's mum and siblings and then leave the poor little mite on it's own for long hours?? Where's the kindness in that? I've seen people here who keep their dog either outside on a chain or indoors in a cage.

Is this standard (R)SPCA approved behaviour?

When we got a kitten we made sure that one of us would be around for the first week. We don't have a dog because we both work and think it's cruel to leave a dog alone all day.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

For the record, someone inexplicably called "Shyann" comes and dog walks daily. I have a stack of billets doux concerning peeing and pooping.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I remember that when you lived in TO Charlie was in daycare. He has company too. So many dogs and cats are just locked in, alone and bored. It must be wrong.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

He wasn't always in the daycare but we did try to be aware of the need for him to get out and to socialize with other dogs. This is an issue of which I'm very much aware right now. I have the dog walker for two weeks ending Monday, if at the end of Monday I have no domestic partner, I have either a financial or a bladder bursting problem.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

in the last 15 years I have had three dogs (not including puppies I bred and part owned), the first was a Mini Schnauzer she was on her own for a max of 2 hours for 12 months before I got a Tibetan Terrier. The two of them were left alone TOGETHER for again 2 hours max. I then got a Male Tibetan (still have him) so now three dogs to keep each other 'entertained' again no more than two hours without human 'companionship'. The female tibetan went to live with parents (long story) and she is never alone but prefers human company to other dogs (or so it seems). The Mini Schnauzer died in 2005, so the Male TT was 'alone' I didnt think he would be happy with out another dog for company (he had never been an 'only' dog) so planned to get another dog when I arrived in Canada, suprisingly he adjusted well and since I couldnt guarantee when I would be able to properly house train a new puppy I still havent got a companion for him. Since coming to Canada he has had longer spells alone (upto 4 hours) but I truly think he enjoys his 'alone' time (it gives him chance to climb on furniture he wouldnt normally be allowed on).

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I hope it all works out OK for all, including the dogs. Messy businesses, breakups.

A few hours here and there is fine, but when people knowingly get dogs that they are going to leave alone each weekday for 8 hours, well, WTF.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I agree with you fledermaus.

Dogs are not an accessory or a toy, they are a living part of one's family (does one say one anymore?) they are part of your family, and since we've taken away their ability to live in a doggy pack we must provide them with stimulation, company, safety, comfort, food etc.

I use the crate as part of the above. Buster is not locked away for hours. Either my wife or myself are usually at home, since we still have a pre-schooler.

Buster's having a nap on the couch right now with my littl'un!:wub:

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Crates are great for pups and troublesome dogs...as I mentioned earlier I fenced off a large area around the cage so they had plenty of room to play and move around. Now I know I can trust them I leave them the run of the house if I go out.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

That sounds sensible.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

I have 2 small dogs...so they are never alone as such they always have each other for company.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

You can get those kid-proof gates for stairs etc, second hand from kids consignment stores, value village etc.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

That's a good idea...we have a gate which we use in our condo in Toronto. It keeps the dogs away from the door...we don't want them barking if they hear people in the hallway.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

Just had another thought Purley - you can get a dog toy now that has a beating heart - a snuggle puppy http://www.sitstay.com/dog/supplies/...e_33908_33914_

It would be something I would buy when I'm allowed a new chowling, if Henry is no longer around.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

:wub:
it's amazing how much you miss the stuff that drove you mad.

Re: Question for the dog people
 

It's true and to be honest that is what having a dog is all about... I stopped one of the trainers who came when he was a pup because I felt he was trying to break my boy's spirit.

If I wanted a quiet dog that never gave me cause to cry or laugh I might as well get one stuffed!

As others have said, having a dog is not an accessory...its a life long committment between the two of you and it needs give and take on both sides. :)

Re: Question for the dog people
 

some times I am soo tempted!! ;)