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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am the same. When my dog and cat pass on, I will never own another animal. I don't understand why people are ok with following an animal around and picking up its poop. I got the dog because I love seeing people with their animals (the cat we inherited) - but I hate the smell and I especially hate having to plan my day around walking the dog. I have one hour in the morning before work - I could either lift weights and run or I can take the dog for a walk. But I have to walk the dog so my own health suffers. When I sit down to watch a movie in the evening, the dog wants to play. I'm a slave to the freaking dog. [/quote]

OP here. This is my problem too. I want to work out in the morning, like intensely when the family is asleep but she needs to be walked. Then if she doesn’t poop, I have to watch her like a hawk to make sure she doesn’t poop in the house. She is not a dog that I can run with as she is small. That is why I asked another poster how long should I walk her to tire her out enough so that I can come home and work out? [/quote]

No, she doesn't need to be walked first thing. I get up an hour before my dog gets out of her crate so I can shower and have my tea while the house is quiet. If you want to work out first thing, do that. Train your dog to the schedule that works for you, not the other way around.

The more you walk your dog, the more you'll need to walk your dog. Yes, they do need outside exercise, but what they really need is stimulation. Two 20-minute walks a day plus 2 "stim breaks" with an engagement exercise (lick mat, kibble rolled up and tied in an old towel or some other kind of "snuffle mat", a frozen treat, a kong stuffed with PB and hard-to-reach treats like bits of carrot...) is plenty for a small dog. Yours is still a puppy, and coming into that "teenager phase" between 1-2 years. There will be pushback and whining. Treat it the same way you'd treat your kid whining about wanting to stay at the pool, eat more snacks, watch TV all day... "I hear you, and the answer is still no".

You'll like your dog a lot more when you start treating it more like a dog. They're trainable. Teach it what you want and it will learn to adapt to you.[/quote]

OP here. Thank you for this. Where do you suggest I keep her crate at night? She is in our room. She is so excited when I get out of the bed that I let her out and we both run outside to let her pee so  no accident. After that, she is wide awake so I do not want to put her back in the crate to work out.[/quote]

I have two (very large) dogs.  I love dogs and love having them. But.   They are not even allowed in the upstairs of our house.  Keep her crate somewhere else.  Laundry room?  Office?  Pick a spot that isn't in someone's bedroom.  You'll both sleep better.

My dogs sleep (mostly) in the family room.  Sometimes I come downstairs and find the bigger one (130 lbs) sleeping in the powder room--it's like a den or crate for him and he likes that.  Dogs often like small confined spaces and will choose them.  Crates are good for them, it keeps them safe and they know it's their space.

Just remember that she's a puppy and will chill out over time.  When she pees outside, praise.  If you catch her attempting to pee inside, sharp and loud no and immediately go outside.  It won't take long.

You can leave her on your deck unattended unless she's small enough to fall off between slats?  You said 20 lbs, doesn't seem like she would.  I leave mine on our deck, and they're actually big enough to jump over the railing, but they're not stupid enough.  :)   They just like to chill and watch the world go by sometimes.[/quote]

OP here. Thank you for this. I will move her crate to the family room. She can fit through the deck slates but I can put another barrier around the bars as an extra precaution. I am starting to think that I am creating her to be so attached to me.[/quote]

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