Pets
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
intro and moving
Hi y'all! I've lurked for awhile but first time posting. My FI and I have a 6 month old lab rot mix, and I think he is the cutest thing ever. Fun fact his name is Diesel but he is terrified of diesel trucks. Anyways we currently live with future in laws with three other dogs and three cats on about 49 acres.
We have recently been looking to move to an apartment or rent to own home. I'm worried that since the only thing Diesel knows is running free with other dogs. Would moving him to an apartment or smaller area be unkind? Thanks for listening.
Re: intro and moving
Dogs can adapt to most situations if you set them up for success. It will take getting used to, though, no matter what.
For starters, I'm sure he's not just outside 24/7 unsupervised. He already lives inside with you guys, so moving to a home or apt will just equal a change in surroundings (and possibly ease of outdoor access if you move to an apt).
The most important thing will be for you and your FI to continue giving him PLENTY of exercise. Find local parks to take him to for walks/hikes; see if there are dog parks around so he can play with other dogs and continue his socialization (this is very important!); work on reinforcing and introducing new training and commands inside (and outside).
Even high energy dogs can be okay living in apts; you just need to make the commitment to getting him outside for exercise and working on mental stimulation.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
This is great advice. I agree that as long as you make sure he continues to get adequate exercise he should adapt well. Is there a doggy day care in your area you could take him to even if just once or twice a week?
It is NOT recommended that you leave your dog outside unattended for any amount of time. Leaving him to essentially live outdoors can drastically shorten his life expectancy, since you're basically leaving him to nature (and associated poisons, wild animals, insect bites/stings, getting hit by a car).
Even responsible dog owners whose dogs work outdoors with them don't just leave their dogs to run free all the time. They keep them inside when they're inside, and take them out to work the area with supervision.
I would absolutely not recommend you continue leaving your dog outside, alone, unsupervised if you move into a house. The dangers far outweigh what you might think are the benefits to letting him hang out outside, and without other dogs around, he's not going to play out there by himself. He'll just lay around, dig, or get into more harmful trouble in the yard.
ETA: If you've really lurked as you say you have, you'd already know all this.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
If he has been outside most of the time up until now, you may not want to give him free reign of the apartment/house until you know he won't become destructive. Is he crate trained at all? If not, I would consider beginning crate training now (so it isn't another change when you move). When you move, you can crate him while you're gone to make sure he is safe and that he doesn't destroy anything. If he proves to be trustworthy (and 100% potty-trained), you can baby-gate him into one room or let him roam the house if you choose (or not - some dogs are always crated when their owners are gone).
As PPs have said, providing sufficient mental and physical exercise is very important. If day care isn't an option, just commit to exercising him yourselves - a combination of physical exercise such as hikes, walks, runs when he's old enough (I believe you aren't supposed to do forced runs with puppies, but I forget the age limit) along with mental stimulation such as training, tricks, games, puzzle toys, etc. is usually a good way to go.
I've seen plenty of very active dogs thrive in apartment settings, so it absolutely can be done.
ETA: I'm personally not a fan of pee pads, as they can just serve to confuse the dog and make him think it's ok to potty inside. Having someone come by to take the dog out (if you'll be gone longer than he should go between potty breaks) is a much better option to me. We have a walker come in the middle of each day, and it works great.
**6.30.12** I have found the one whom my soul loves.
Agreed! My parents used them for their dog and now the dog is trained to pee inside, haha. It's convenient at first, but the pads are essentially telling the dog it's okay to go inside.
As PP said, crate training would be a good idea. The good thing about your dogs being outside all the time is that they were provided with mental stimulation. Now, you just have to find an alternative way to replace that stimulation. Buy an assortment of Kong and food puzzle toys. They keep our dog preoccupied in her crate for long hours. She actually runs into her crate when she sees me stuffing the toys.