Maybe Getting New Puppy Soon

Are puppies good with treat toys? We didn't have any when we had Bailey but I will say they do wonders for the girls in getting them moving. They will roll them all around the house and even when emptied they continue to play Sheltie soccer with them. Ours have never been fans of the Kongs. Not sure why but the treat balls were magic.
 
Food puzzle toys might work - Glenn just had a video of Willow working for her breakfast from one. They vary in difficulty. Nosework games of treasure hunting would work to engage her mind and tire her out. Works for ours. I also tend to think her playing with Roxy should be fine unless you feel she is really being bulldozed.

Puppies have a short attention span, like kids! So they can get bored. But I don't think you need to make sure she's busy every minute. As long as she's in a safe environment, she'll entertain herself.

Just one BIG word of caution - please be so careful of her weight. If you read Scout's mom's post, her 8 month old puppy was declared by the ortho vet to be 5 lb overweight - that is a big percentage of his total body weight. Shelties always act like they are starving. Someone mentioned a study on littermates that showed the pups kept lean lived longer and healthier lives. The stress on their joints, especially as they are growing can be immense with extra weight. It's OK to be able to feel their ribs and backbone, that does not mean they are too skinny!
 
Sharon7 said:
Food puzzle toys might work - Glenn just had a video of Willow working for her breakfast from one. They vary in difficulty. Nosework games of treasure hunting would work to engage her mind and tire her out. Works for ours. I also tend to think her playing with Roxy should be fine unless you feel she is really being bulldozed.

Puppies have a short attention span, like kids! So they can get bored. But I don't think you need to make sure she's busy every minute. As long as she's in a safe environment, she'll entertain herself.

Just one BIG word of caution - please be so careful of her weight. If you read Scout's mom's post, her 8 month old puppy was declared by the ortho vet to be 5 lb overweight - that is a big percentage of his total body weight. Shelties always act like they are starving. Someone mentioned a study on littermates that showed the pups kept lean lived longer and healthier lives. The stress on their joints, especially as they are growing can be immense with extra weight. It's OK to be able to feel their ribs and backbone, that does not mean they are too skinny!
Click to expand...

Oh, I don’t want her plump. But we’ve got backbone, ribs, hips and a tiny pinched in waist. I had wondered if it’s why she decided to take up turd eating. I just cut Roxy back this morning. She’s still got ribs I can feel and backbone, and I think she did some adult filling out but 1-2 pounds less I think will be better for her.

She definitely got bulldozed and rolled last night. She didn’t seem particularly phased by it and hasn’t with any of their play. But they would run after each other all day if I let them. I was concerned based on the daily age graded exercise limit. As I type this we literally just had our first play time ouch whimper— from Roxy after Piper bit her ear too hard. This little beast can hold her own and then some. I don’t want her to overdo it for growing bones and joints is all.

I have a couple of food puzzles. Roxy was never able to figure them out. Piper figured one out last night after I showed her once. Poor Roxy. :wink2::hugs

And keeping her busy or tired is helping me keep to her from barking. At me. :whistle::whistle::whistle:
 
Physical exercise: I don’t think it’s a good idea to try to wear out a puppy physically. Too risky for injuries and growth plate damage. With Kip, I pretty much followed the 5 minutes per month of structured exercise (going for walks), but much longer time for unstructured play. For example just letting Kip run around the yard. Or I would just take him to a new area of the farm several times a day and let him explore at his own pace. I also played with toys multiple times a day, very short sessions.

I also limited his play with adult dogs because my dogs aren’t good at self regulating. I supervised closely and only let them play a few minutes in the beginning.

Mental exercise: Clicker training can start right away. Tricks are good for mental stimulation. One of my favorite trainers, Silvia Trkman, has some videos of puppy tricks on her website: http://www.lolabuland.com/online-classes/puppy-class/
 
ACFD85FF-227E-4E4E-907C-9E2F26B5C43A.jpeg
Sharon7 said:
Piper sounds like a little pistol. Smart as a whip and apparently bold also. I totally understand your concern for stressing her joints with too much exercise - not sure I know the right answer to how to limit that, I would definitely confer with your vet on her next visit.
Click to expand...

Yeah. I was hoping we would be able to get into the vet sooner than October 19. :no:

Someone mentioned structured play as walks and I don’t know how to manage to threads in one reply. :gaah since she only has her second set of shots out walks only consist of a couple strolls around the yard anyway to practice not being a jerk on the leash.

Exhausting her entirely is not my aim but getting her tired enough to settle down. She doesn’t have to sleep, but just- chill.

Pistol Piper is exactly what she is. A bit nicer than what I had been calling her. :ROFLMAO:

Ever since the Tipsy kong lunch she has been good. Lunch. Nap. Playtime (her favorite, she clearly runs it). More clicker charging and sits. Potties outside.

I wish I could upload a video… she’s figured out how to launch an attack from cover..
 
Last edited:
Sharon7 said:
Piper sounds like a little pistol. Smart as a whip and apparently bold also. I totally understand your concern for stressing her joints with too much exercise - not sure I know the right answer to how to limit that, I would definitely confer with your vet on her next visit.
Click to expand...
By the way Sharon, you just helped me with her registered name when I get the paperwork to send in.
 
Watson's Mom said:
By the way Sharon, you just helped me with her registered name when I get the paperwork to send in.
Click to expand...

LOL why do I think it will refer in some way to a pistol??? I love the new photo - like a Moray eel - in it's hole until wham! it strikes.... Roxy's got a lot on her paws with this one. Seriously though, she does sound pretty high energy so I understand your concern. I guess we were lucky, between two adults and two adult dogs, Meadow had plenty to keep her occupied.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top