Me again!!! More Abby the American Bull questions....

WildFlower2350

Snapshot of the scenario.... Abby is one year old resuced Am Bull mix....saturday is 1 month since we adopted her. She has made great strides but still needs work. Xmas eve she will be home in her crate for a few hours when we go to dinner at the in-laws...the next morning we drive 4 hours to my parents with her....there will be 11 adutls and 1 toddler...being that she will be in the car for four hourss and we all arriving at almost the same time does anyone have suggestions for how to introduce her smoothly and calmly? we plan on taking her to the dog park for a few hours the day before so drain some energy and ill def take her for a good long walk at night and before the carride, my mom and aunt dont mind dogs BUT with the new baby (he's the only one in our family now) they will be on crazy high alert since he is starting to toddle around. we wont be able to let her off leash as she hasnt met too many kids yet. i dont want xmas to be stressful for anyone-including the dog. thoughts? (btw some people have said not to keneel her b/c she needs to get used to these situations and is still somewhat of a puppy)

nital

If she's energetic and bouncy, it might be easier for _you_ to kennel her.  New environment, new people, freaky toddler, and SO MUCH FOOD!!! The reality is, is that you are going to be exhausted from keeping a constant watch.  Unless youve worked with her a lot on listening in new environments, expect all her manners to go out the door.  Personally, I prefer those situations be short and sweet, and be able to make a quick exit if need be.

 

 If you bring her though, I'd bring her crate, a kong, and a whole lot of peanut butter.  Good for a safe place from the toddler, and to keep her occupied while you eat.

WildFlower2350

Thanks for the suggestions!  Im a new dog owner so Im learning as I go.  We crate her at night and when we are at work..and I come home at lunch to take her out to stretch her legs and have a potty break.  For three days this week my husband is away on business and I have to teach an hour class at the gym so thats a little more time in the crate b/c normally she is out with him when I am gone.  I feel awful about it.  She really cant be out of her crate unsupervised, Im afraid she would hurt herself, shes the kind of dog that would chew an electrical cord or something...She gets at least 30 mins of walking before work, I have her out for another 15-20 at lunch and take her for 30-45 mins of walking at night with lots of cuddle time but these couple of days with her having to be back in the crate when Im gone is making me feel terrible.  Sorry, needed to vent.

nital

You'll feel a lot more guilty if she's out and hurts herself.  Am bulldogs are notorious goats.  It's much safer for her to be crated.  Have you tried kongs yet?  Duke ripped one the first time I gave him one, so I recommend the first couple times you give one, it be supervised, but they're great busy toys for dogs.  For dogs on crate rest, I used to fill kongs with wet food, freeze them, and feed their meals out of kongs.  It took multiple kongs to hold enough food, but it would also take a good 2 hours to eat, and then they were ready for a good nap.  If they're not kong killers, you can just throw the kongs in their crate when you leave. Make sure you get the black kongs.