Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
Excellent point, which is why I fed Birch Meals in the toys or while training.
There are no free ,lunches here.
What can they do on their own?
- Thread starter bwibwigouza
- Start date
Excellent point, which is why I fed Birch Meals in the toys or while training.
There are no free ,lunches here.
bwibwigouza
Forums Enthusiast
Thank you for the reminder to ration in the "treat" to their daily meal quota since it will probably take a meal's amount to keep Mozart entertained for an hour!
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
I stopped feeding kibble as training treats because I didn't realize they were so PACKED with calories, lol I ended up feeding way too much, that was around the time I switched to raw feeding, and used kibbles for treats... was wayyy too much. then I thankfully stopped feeding kibble, ever.
But I use the frozen kong idea which I got from on here, I stuff it with Velveeta cuz Toffee loves cheese. I would also put that IN the crate becuase it sounds like Mozart doesn't like the crate much so I would want to start to make it a super happy, safe place for him. He has to associate his crate with good stuff, and I recommend playing crate games, because the foundation you build now is going to be invaluable later! I had to start crate training all over again because I only used to have him crated as a pup, but now needed him crated for agility or when I am visiting friends overnight, etc. But we are getting there, it's his home away from home.
But I use the frozen kong idea which I got from on here, I stuff it with Velveeta cuz Toffee loves cheese. I would also put that IN the crate becuase it sounds like Mozart doesn't like the crate much so I would want to start to make it a super happy, safe place for him. He has to associate his crate with good stuff, and I recommend playing crate games, because the foundation you build now is going to be invaluable later! I had to start crate training all over again because I only used to have him crated as a pup, but now needed him crated for agility or when I am visiting friends overnight, etc. But we are getting there, it's his home away from home.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
How many hours a day are we talking about?
When Bacca was a pup he was in his crate for 2-3 hours, then I came home for an hour and then he was back in for 2-3 hours.
When I came home he was fed and walked and played with.
I don't see any reason why he can't be crated either in your workroom or downstairs. It's no different when you are there then when you are not there.
I will caution you about feeling the need to provide constant stimulation to your pup. In reality, most dogs are perfectly happy just to sleep the day away. yeah, they will wake up and need a good run and play, but then happy to conk back out again.
There is nothing wrong with providing stimulating toys, but stimulating toys also generate stimulated behaviour (and yes, the need to go out and do their business). I would be encouraging sleep behavour while you are working and make up for it in play and walks when you have the time.
I'm not saying that puzzle toys are bad, but I actually prefer them when I'm part of the game myself. I think it makes it more interesting all around!
When Bacca was a pup he was in his crate for 2-3 hours, then I came home for an hour and then he was back in for 2-3 hours.
When I came home he was fed and walked and played with.
I don't see any reason why he can't be crated either in your workroom or downstairs. It's no different when you are there then when you are not there.
I will caution you about feeling the need to provide constant stimulation to your pup. In reality, most dogs are perfectly happy just to sleep the day away. yeah, they will wake up and need a good run and play, but then happy to conk back out again.
There is nothing wrong with providing stimulating toys, but stimulating toys also generate stimulated behaviour (and yes, the need to go out and do their business). I would be encouraging sleep behavour while you are working and make up for it in play and walks when you have the time.
I'm not saying that puzzle toys are bad, but I actually prefer them when I'm part of the game myself. I think it makes it more interesting all around!
bwibwigouza
Forums Enthusiast
Hmmm....crating is not such bad idea either. All I needed is 1 whole hr uninterrupted work and I can break for half hour to take him out to do his business then get back to work. Usually I work on a project for 3-4 hrs a day. Just need to work in some break time for him from now on.
One questions though, if they sleep a lot in the day, are they still able to sleep through the night?
One questions though, if they sleep a lot in the day, are they still able to sleep through the night?
Gosh yes, under controlled lab conditions the amount of sleep dogs had was tested and it came out at around 13 hours a day so plenty of time to use up!
My current two are work-a-holics when it comes to walks, agility and training but any time we're not doing anything they are conked out in bed asleep and that's totally by choice. My first Sheltie was much the same concentrated activity times interspersed with sleep.
My current two are work-a-holics when it comes to walks, agility and training but any time we're not doing anything they are conked out in bed asleep and that's totally by choice. My first Sheltie was much the same concentrated activity times interspersed with sleep.
2GoodDogs
Forums Enthusiast
I like the tug-a-jug. Not easy with the rope version but keeps him busy for awhile, and he rarely ever empties it. 
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Certainly, yes! Dogs sleep, eat and poo! In between, they have spurts of energy to burn off...that's what the walkies are for (i.e. it satisfies their "working" instinct). To stimulate your Sheltie, you want to find "herding" type activities....it used to me that was herded but since I got two, they herd each other. I know alot of people have used larger beach balls for their dogs.....the dogs actually DO herd those!
Shelties are probably one of the most adaptable of the herding breeds to a more sedentary lifestyle. That being said, they are also more likely to gain weight and gain it fast. So you will need to monitor dogs activity level to food bowl intake.