Do I need to take the dog out more?

[Anonymous]

We recently bought a dog. I didn't want a dog, but my husband and my kids have been hounding at me for a year and I finally gave in. I work full time from home, so I have to take care of the dog during the day and my husband does everything after work and on weekends. That was the deal. My husband thinks I should let the dog out more during the day, but I really don't like playing with the dog, so it's in the crate most of the day. I have to work and I really just don't like cuddling with dogs. This is what I do: I wake up, I take the dog for a quick 5 minute walk, then I feed the dog and take it out for another 5 minute walk. Then she goes in the crate while I get myself and the kids ready and I drive them to school. Then I come back and take the dog out again for 5 minutes and back in the crate while I work. It's a big crate, but a crate non the less. I work until noon, then I take the dog for a 30 minute walk and feed it. Then back into the crate. Then at 3pm I take the dog out for another 30 minute walk. Then back in its crate until my husband gets home at 5pm. He takes over for dinner and takes the dog for an hour walk later on. He also keeps the dog out of the crate the whole time. Which is fine because the dog is under his supervision. I'm just not going to let the dog out during the day because every time I've done this the dog starts to chew on everything, my chair, cables, my feet, my shoes, etc. I really don't want to deal with that. Don't most working people leave their dogs in crates anyway? I told DH that the dog is already getting more walks than other dogs. Am I right or is he right?

[Anonymous]

I mean, it sounds mostly fine, but if it's a puppy, it needs lots of exercise and stimulation.

. Why not find a good dog daycare a few days a week though so he or she can get some good stimulation and exercise?

I know you're not a dog person, but you agreed to it so you need to be responsible.

[Anonymous]

I think what you are doing is more than fine. How old is the dog?

[Anonymous]

Puppies are incredibly high-maintenance. They need to go outside every hour, and they need constant supervision. They also need a lot of attention from the alpha of the pack (that would be you and your husband) so they can learn proper pack behavior. (That would be called training.)

If you're not going to put the time in yourself, I would hire a trainer and walker.

The good news is that after he is trained and grown out of the puppy years, he'll require much less attention. You'll be able to graduate from crating to confining to a room or part of the house, and maybe even to letting him have the run of the house. Lots of adult dogs are perfectly happy to lounge around all day while you're working.

And if you ever decide to get another dog in the future, skip the puppy and go straight to the senior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what you are doing is more than fine. How old is the dog?

+1

If it's a young puppy, he might need a bit more interaction - play or training or cuddling. Generally, that schedule sounds fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, it sounds mostly fine, but if it's a puppy, it needs lots of exercise and stimulation.

. Why not find a good dog daycare a few days a week though so he or she can get some good stimulation and exercise?

I know you're not a dog person, but you agreed to it so you need to be responsible.

The dog is a 5 month old lab.

[Anonymous]

I would add a longer morning walk—are your kids old enough to do this once it’s not so dark in the morning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, it sounds mostly fine, but if it's a puppy, it needs lots of exercise and stimulation.

. Why not find a good dog daycare a few days a week though so he or she can get some good stimulation and exercise?

I know you're not a dog person, but you agreed to it so you need to be responsible.

The dog is a 5 month old lab.

At 5 months it is still a puppy, but old enough to handle your schedule. What you are doing is fine!

[Anonymous]

Really, it is fine? I am surprised. I am not a dog person, nor do we have one but it seems kind of cruel to keep the puppy in a crate so much.

Don't mean to be judging; I am just really surprised everyone thinks that's ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really, it is fine? I am surprised. I am not a dog person, nor do we have one but it seems kind of cruel to keep the puppy in a crate so much.

Don't mean to be judging; I am just really surprised everyone thinks that's ok.

I agree with you, especially since the puppy is a lab. Labs are a super active and social breed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really, it is fine? I am surprised. I am not a dog person, nor do we have one but it seems kind of cruel to keep the puppy in a crate so much.

Don't mean to be judging; I am just really surprised everyone thinks that's ok.

I agree with you, especially since the puppy is a lab. Labs are a super active and social breed.

+1. We have always had labs and this much crate time seems excessive for a lab puppy. Is there a doggy day care or training program available?

[Anonymous]

You could get one of those puppy play pens so the dog can move around a little
More but still
Be contained

[Anonymous]

Yes, you should be getting the dog more and more used to being out of the crate while you are at home. There's no reason to keep it crated all that time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really, it is fine? I am surprised. I am not a dog person, nor do we have one but it seems kind of cruel to keep the puppy in a crate so much.

Don't mean to be judging; I am just really surprised everyone thinks that's ok.

We have a lab. DH and I work full time. We had a walker come at 1pm weekdays to feed and walk the dog for an hour. Our dog did just fine OP. Now it is 3 years old and we no lo ger crate, but we still have a mid day walker. BTW we had to crate until he was a bit over 2 years old because he would chew on everything. Your dog will be fine!

[Anonymous]

I dont see a problem with current schedule. If husband persists, he can find a dog walker. But at 5 months, long walks are not good for growing bones and joints. A person can come in and do basic training/playing.