Anonymous wrote:

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!

+1 I think this is fine.

OP,
How is this a “compromise” when you’re doing 75% of the dog care when you didn’t even want a dog? The compromise would have been to agree to the dog but they kids, DH, and walker/trainer does the care.

Treadmill helps. Got a used one on Craigs List and put it in the garage. Saved our furniture

Ugh, the compromise should have included the breed of dog. Labs are super energetic and difficult to train.

This is OP with an update. I'm still just walking the dog the same amount of time as before since that is all I can do while I work, but I did buy this to make the dog's space larger:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Foldable-Metal-Exercise-Playpen/dp/B07584TRYH/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1521923288&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=dog%2Bplaypen&th=1

I also bought a bunch of bully sticks and flavored rawhide from Chewy.com

I called the vet's office and they said rawhide was fine as long as I bought the large kind and the dog was under supervision. They also said to discard any pieces that break off or when the rawhide was small enough to swallow. But the ones that I bought are so huge that the dog has barely made a dent on one of them. Bully sticks are too expensive and the dog will eat a large one of those in less than an hour. So I'm saving those as a special treat. I also bought an IQ ball and another ball where I can put kibble and the dog needs to work to remove the kibble from the teeth. I think that's the dog's favorite. I also bought this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00063432W/ref=sxr_rr_xsim_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3513574162&pd_rd_wg=etReI&pf_rd_r=VTVRFBSM47MPXV1H80JJ&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B00063432W&pd_rd_w=VO30O&pf_rd_i=dog+ball&pd_rd_r=a58c12ff-f709-46d6-bcc7-eea002c4940e&ie=UTF8&qid=1521923628&sr=1 and the dog runs around in the play space playing with it.

Thanks for all the recommendations!!!

Don’t give them anything with pennies! The pennies made after 1982 have only a thin layer of copper and are mostly zinc. If the dog gets the pennies out, it can be pretty toxic.

op, how is your week going? Have you tried any advice to help nurture your dog?

OK why have you not considered doggie daycare? It's awesome...they come back calm and tired like my kids after an all-day pool party.

Make sure you are giving your puppy it's food in a puzzle you. Mental stimulation is so much more important than physical exertion. Dogs can go all day long physically, but will tire out quickly if they are mentally engaged. So instead of just walking, do 10 minute training sessions as well. 10 minutes of training is equal to an hour long walk, in terms of "wearing the dog out." Teach you dog "puppy push ups," they are awesome and fun for young dogs! Bones and stuffed kongs are amazing for this as well. Your dog should NEVER eat out of a bowl at this age!

Crates are fine, and honestly the amount you guys are crating is fine too. Just make sure that the time out of the crate is super effective.

I foster puppies and believe me, I don't let the puppies run around the house all day. They get some exercise and outside time, but during the day they are generally in their crate because I have to focus on work and puppies are destructive

Good luck! My dogs are 2 and 4 now and are great at just laying around all day while I work, I hope your dog will become a joy and comfort to you as well!