ajj_32 Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Hi all, Just wondering if anyone had good ideas to mentally stimulate their pup when they are home alone that doesn't involve food? My puppy is confined to the laundry when we're not home and I want fun things for her to do without overfeeding her. Thanks in advance:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 How long is your pup confined for? And how old? I feed my youngsters their actual meals in Kongs, cardboard boxes and milk containers but my pups are normally pretty tired by the time I leave them and are just as happy to sleep. But that's only 4-5 hours on their own though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Perhaps play/train the puppy for 5-10 minutes before you leave her in the laundry. If you wear her out before leaving her, she is more likely to snooze while you are gone. I agree with TSD, feeding meals in kongs etc, gives the pup something to do and you are not over feeding them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I have a goal in my house for puppies - they need to be up and active (i.e. training, play, self-exercise) for 2 hours before I leave the house. Generally I can manage it, even it means a 5am wake up on occasion and I usually come home to them snoring still :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 A puppy in a laundry - it is difficult - I guess pup cannot see out , or hear much ? yes, as asked, how old is puppy , size , and what is the daily routine for him/her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajj_32 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 It's while we are at work 7am-5pm. She's nearly 4 months. I don't like the idea of leaving her outside all day because I'm so scared of dog nappers!! We get a dog walker 3 times a week and we try to walk her in the mornings we don't get the walkers but she's scared of the dark so don't get too far. I drive her to walk around the shops where there's much more light which helps. TSD how do you use the milk cartons? Just pop there kibble in there with the lid open? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) It's while we are at work 7am-5pm. She's nearly 4 months. I don't like the idea of leaving her outside all day because I'm so scared of dog nappers!! We get a dog walker 3 times a week and we try to walk her in the mornings we don't get the walkers but she's scared of the dark so don't get too far. I drive her to walk around the shops where there's much more light which helps. TSD how do you use the milk cartons? Just pop there kibble in there with the lid open? I understand as my lot are indoors when I'm out too. However, that's a long time for a youngster to be in a laundry and you will probably find that she will get bored and start chewing soon! If you must leave her inside I would put up a LARGE play pen in the living room where there is likely to be much more natural light and interesting things happening through windows. The pen will keep her safe and stop her wandering around the house. Think about her 5 senses - how can you stimulate her sense of touch, her sight, her taste, her hearing and her sense of smell? You can rotate her toys, put in different surfaces, textures, safe potted plants etc to discover, boxes are AWESOME as are empty cardboard tubes etc but you need to make sure there is nothing she can swallow and do damage - which is why I like boxes! I only give the plastic milk cartons filled with dry food under supervision to begin with - Em was great, she'd just bash it around and get the food out but two of my pups from this litter demolished it immediately - plastic is way too dangerous so they won't be getting that again. My litter had a clam shell pool indoors full of stuffed toys and then plastic balls - they would demolish the latter now but would still enjoy the former. What does she toilet on? You don't need to walk a 4 month old puppy - you need to PLAY and LAUGH and TRAIN! Walks are about training and socialisation for my youngsters. I'd rather put them in the car and drive to a local shopping strip as you say to watch the world go by :) ETA: Sorry keep editing with more ideas! Edited July 7, 2015 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 4 mths is old to be locked in a boring laundry for so long, I think. What breed is she that she is likely to be stolen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Can you lock your backyard? I do worry about the same thing, but I think quality of life is more important in the long run. Our boy was sooooo much happier as soon as we put him outside during the day! But, we make sure both gates into the yard are locked at all times, and people have to come a long way off the street to get to the fence line, so he isn't easily visible to people walking past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 I also agree with training etc :) Instead of driving/walking every day - spend some time playing games , and doing basic training with her ! this will , like kids at school, use up her mental energy more than a walk :) Obviously, the ideal mental stimulation for a single pup is feeling the breeze- watching birds, chasing shadows, digging in sand, pouncing on crickets & butterflies ,and analysing the smells coming from the earth, or over the back fence :) You can try puzzle toys .. however she needs to be getting a good reward - and the two best rewards are food , and 'killing' something :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajj_32 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 She's a Dalmatian so not one of the breeds likely to get stolen. The laundry does get a lot of sunlight but she can only see out to our side way. She has a ugodog pet loo which she doesn't use because she just holds until we let her out, which I know isn't good for her! Does anyone use a doggy door when they aren't home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajj_32 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 The backyard is fully secured and we are getting security cameras set up out there over the next few weeks too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 She's a Dalmatian so not one of the breeds likely to get stolen. The laundry does get a lot of sunlight but she can only see out to our side way. She has a ugodog pet loo which she doesn't use because she just holds until we let her out, which I know isn't good for her! Does anyone use a doggy door when they aren't home? Well I have a Spotty dog and I just about guarantee your door frames will start getting chewed in a few months time :laugh: Zig is AWESOME now and is the patriarch of the house but I was really lucky to not have to leave him for more than 4-5 hours at a time when he was young. I don't have a doggy door but am considering that I might need one down the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Sounds as tho your yard will be a great spot to be!! :) You may also get some ideas from THIS THREAD :) we do LOVE spotty pup photos ;) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 One of these? http://www.tethertug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 that tethertug looks much fun :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajj_32 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 One of these? http://www.tethertug.com/ That looks great, she'd love this:) Thank you. FYI, if you're in Australia, they sell them through the link below: http://www.politepaws.com.au/store/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taliecat Posted July 7, 2015 Share Posted July 7, 2015 One of these? http://www.tethertug.com/ That looks great, she'd love this:) Thank you. FYI, if you're in Australia, they sell them through the link below: http://www.politepaws.com.au/store/ The Aussie dog home alone bungie toy is somewhat similar. Dozer loves to play with it when people are trying to have a conversation out on the patio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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