For anyone wondering why rescues are hard to deal with, this thread is a perfect example of why.

Never crated, never will.

I think the amount of crating is fine. Poodle mixes are notorious for being difficult. They’re awfully cute though!

I don't think this is excessive crating but the rest of the time, the puppy should have safe outlets and active engagement/challenge. I have raised four dogs from puppy stage (all poodle mixes) and I didn't have to crate them at this stage, but I did have a puppy proofed safe area with toys, nothing they could destroy, and company. My biggest chewer, a pup I had twenty years ago, did manage to get one pair of shoes but that's the only thing I can think of. (Obviously if one of my kids leaves a stuffy lying around, I consider it the kid's fault if it gets torn apart!)

I recommend:
*MUCH more exercise than whatever you are doing.
*puppy proofing an area (separated with baby gates?) near wherever people are hanging out when home
*more challenges, games, even teaching tricks
*obedience training with a private trainer (i think this will help a lot more than a group class)

I just want to add that I currently have a seven-month poodle mix and while she has her crazy energy moments every day, usually at night before she falls asleep, she is pretty chill during the day. When she is crazy like that, we just have a long session of tug-of-war and fetch until she is exhausted, but the rest of the day she is really okay uncrated. She definitely likes to roam and of course will make a mess if we let her (like tear open an amazon package), but generally is not destructive. But she does need to be exercises and properly stimulated. For her, a great outlet we found is teaching her tricks (besides the basic commands she does ... shake left, shake right, high five, dance, spin, roll over, sit pretty, and a few more). She is very quick to learn new tricks and gets very intense about doing them. My kids LOVE teaching her and practicing with her and, for some reason, a good session like this, seems to exhaust her. I think the intense smart dogs need this kind of stimulation.

Well, I hate to say it, but if you read dcum before "We told you so." Ok, ok, maybe not to you exactly, but this forum pointed out that poodle mixes are nightmares.
We had many threads about poodle mixed, particularly golden doodles when people asked before buying. Apart from a poster or two, we all gave stories of them being disasters. I can't even go on a walk and not be accosted by a jumping doodle mix. And so far, your puppy is not snarling aggressive mes. I heard a woman, who owns a particularly insane golden doodle scream that she will rip her head(doodles) off if.. continue the rant of a deranged woman.
Do I blame the dog? No? I am walking with my golden all the time, and that dog is in a fenced yard, never on a walk.
I never crated my golden, but 7 months he stopped chewing anything, stopped making a mess, was a perfectly behaved dog. I did what someone else recommended, leashed him to me inside the house.
Your dog will get better. Poodles are intelligent, so maybe your dog is too. Hence he i bored. If he is not destructive, let him out of the crate and teach him yes, no when he does things. Like a toddler, remember all the no, no, no, nos that you likely had to do with your own kids at some point?
Good luck!

I agree you need to work on the command “Leave It”. This has saved us.

This puppy would benefit greatly from doggy day care if he has that much energy and nobody wants to interact with him.

Chewing relaxes dogs, so get him Nylabones or similar.

Jesus, if you want to crate an animal all day, get a chicken.

PP again.

Here are some toy ideas that will keep him entertained for a bit.

Everyone talks about kongs but my pup has difficulty with them. This alternative can also be filled with things like peanutbutter or greek yogurt. I mix kibble, plain greek yogurt, and some shredded cheese, stuff a couple of these, and freeze them. Pull them out when I need 20 minutes to myself. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N54E9MI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Snuffle mat with treats. https://www.amazon.com/PAW5-Snuffle-Encourages-Foraging-Washable/dp/B01N1FV55I/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=snuffle+mat&qid=1608261580&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-5

Dog puzzle with treats https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Ottosson-Twister-Puzzle/dp/B0719Q89X8/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=dog+puzzles&qid=1608261611&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-2

I don't know what this is called, but you can play tug of war with it while just sitting and watching TV: https://www.amazon.com/ANG-Extendable-Replacement-Interactive-Training/dp/B07CLMYY4G/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=dog+toy+fishing+pole&qid=1608261748&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A1VMNBKI2YSR1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFGRVdENVNTQTdQMlAmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA5MDg1MzExTkZKRFhDSFBPU05SJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MDg5MTgyOFc1TTZIMFhJNkUxJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

I will add that he hated the pen but will just go to sleep in the crate. And I read several books that all said puppies should be crate trained. I will up my puzzle, training game. He knows all the main commands. We are also looking to add another walking session with a dog walkers in the late afternoon.

It helps me to find threads like this when I think I might give in to my kids' pleas about getting a dog. Reaffirms that I am not ready to have a dog.

It's a big responsibility, op. I hope you get good training or can find the puppy another home.

Anonymous wrote:Contrary to other posters, I don't think you are crating him too much nor do I think you're a disaster, but everything you describe is perfectly normal puppy behavior.

What are you giving him to play with/chew on that is acceptable? Does he have bully sticks, meals in stuffed kongs, interactive feeders and engaging toys? Are you engaging with him when he's not in the crate? After 5:30 is someone on the floor playing with him, or are you expecting him to make good choices and entertain himself? He's essentially a toddler--you wouldn't expect a 2 year old to entertain themselves longer than a few minutes.

Have you gone to puppy class with him? The trainer should be able to give you good advice based on what is typical with puppies his age.

While I don't crate my puppy during the day (same age, BTW), I agree that a well-exercised dog generally sleeps during these hours, so crating isn't cruel.

OP, here's my schedule with a 7 month old lab mix:

*Up at 7am, walk for 20 minutes
*Feed
*Play with him or walk him again for 30-45 minutes. Really tire him out.
*He sleeps while I'm working (I'm working from home and he sleeps on the guest room bed, in the sunshine, while I'm in the same room at my desk)
*I take him out around noon for an hour walk. A mix of just letting him sniff around and actually getting some decent exercise.
*He sleeps most of the afternoon.
*Out again before dinner. Usually about 20 minutes
*Dinner/Feed him
*Training (15-20 minutes, but if he gets tired/bored faster, we stop).
*Playing around and/or letting him chew something appropriate
*Another walk, about 20 minutes
*More chewing, maybe playing.
*Bed at 10pm, although he may doze before that.


I hike with him on weekends.
I send him to a doggie day care twice a week, all day, to let him have fun with other dogs and really get some exercise in. It makes a difference for the rest of the week.
I do most of the walking with him, because I can while working from home, and because I enjoy it. But if I have a meeting, my son walks him. It's a lot of walking but if you have a few other household members help, it's not so bad. This will calm down as they grow out of puppyhood.

Anonymous wrote:He is a 7 month old poodle mix. I take him to a dog park in the morning, a 30 minute walk at lunch and a 45 minute walk in the evening. He is in the crate from 9-12:30 and 2:30-5:30. When he is not in the crate all he wants to do is break out of any gate system I have tried to set up to keep him contained in the house. He has the run of almost the entire main level except for my kids’ play ares. All he wants is to move or jump the gates to the play area to eat the kids toys, legos, anything. Now we have the Christmas tree and a gate surrounding it and he wants in that to get the ornaments. He is constantly trying to find shoes to eat, will take the toilet paper if the bathroom door is left open, try to jump high enough to knock stuff off the counters. He gets bored of any toy or chew I give him and just wants whatever he can’t have. I am out of ideas. I am just so tired of watching him. He doesn’t even much like to cuddle. This is not at all what we wanted.

He's bored. Find a good puppy day care.

Anonymous wrote:Cruel.

Yes, cruel.

I would adopt the ugliest adult dog from a shelter in order to avoid this behavior, OP. This is what having a puppy is like.