Keeping your dog busy for the day

[adamant]

My girlfriend and I have a dog, but we are now starting med school and grad school (her and I, respectively). While grad school can be somewhat flexible and I can come home for lunch to let the dog out, there will still be long hours for both of us and she will be in the crate all day (we've had accidents if she is left out of the crate).

We actually set up to video her while we left for about 45 minutes, she howled and whined every few minutes while we were gone.

Does anyone have any tips on how to reduce anxiety and boredom while you're out for the day?

 

[Big Kev]

How old is the dog? How long have you had him/her?

It sounds like it might be tough but exercise is very important. I try to get my dog out for at lest an hour a day. Walks are good but if you can get the dog running it is better. We throw the ball for ours, she is obsessed with the tennis balls with the squeaker in them. Swimming really kicks her butt and she loves the water. A tired dog is a happy dog.

 

[Duckster]

How about adding another dog? They can keep each other company and won't be lonely.

 

[_JP_]

One thing about dogs is that they don't have a sense of time. Once a dog gets used to your daily routines they tend to accept your absence. Typically they lay down most of the day. I've seen that when pet sitting for people. The owner leaves and the dog takes the rest of the day off.

 

[Gerald_G]

I used to put some treats and peanut butter way down into a hollow "Kong" chew toy, freeze it, and give it to my dog as I left the house. I have no idea how long it kept her busy, but I'm guessing an hour or so.

I've heard leaving a radio on can help.

 

[Uncle Erik]

If your dog is socialized and friendly, you might want to see if there's a senior citizen's center nearby where you can put up a flyer to see if someone wants to watch the dog during the day. Someone might like the company without the entire burden of owning a pet.

 

[RF1963]

You and your wife could each wear a t shirt for a couple of days. Don't wash it. Leave the shirts in the cage and it could help to reassure your dog.

On a lighter note I knew a girl who would dig out one of her boyfriend's shirts from the laundry bag and sleep holding it when he was away overnight on business.

 

[NBT]

My girlfriend and I have a dog, but we are now starting med school and grad school (her and I, respectively). While grad school can be somewhat flexible and I can come home for lunch to let the dog out, there will still be long hours for both of us and she will be in the crate all day (we've had accidents if she is left out of the crate).

We actually set up to video her while we left for about 45 minutes, she howled and whined every few minutes while we were gone.

Does anyone have any tips on how to reduce anxiety and boredom while you're out for the day?

My wife is an RN, and I am a Medic/Firefighter...and we were faced with similar issues. What we ended up doing (that worked) was...our routine before we left for the day. Now I was out of the picture, as I work a 24 hour shift...but the wife worked an 8 or 12....so. The morning of my duty day, I would get up an hour earlier, and get the dog out for a morning jaunt...after a good 30 - 45 min run, walk, fetch, dog do it's business, ect....get home and let her cool down...fed and watered. The Mrs's would then let the dog out 15 min or so before she left for work...to evacuate any left over's.
She would leave a clock radio on, and the dog was left in the crate. The dog was good for the whole day, and once the Mrs's got home...she would repeat the morning routine. IF the Mrs's had to work a 12, (we tried to avoid this with her schedule) we had a friend or neighbor come over at the 4-6 hour mark to let our dog out, spend a bit of play time...then put her back into her crate. Worked out fine for us for over 2 years. Honestly...it got to the point that our Beagle - Callie...would get in her crate out of habit....even if it was our day off. We also had a chew toy like the Kong (as stated above) filled with a frozen PB smeared dog biscuit. We also had one of the large water bottles (like you see for hamsters) attached to the side of the crate. We did not fill this, but had enough water in there for her to get a drink...as she worked over the kong.

 

[Big Kev]

There are also puzzle type toys. The dog has to perform a certain maneuver with the toy for the treat to fall out or become accessible. Not sure how this would work in a crate. The frozen kong is good though. Just make sure the dog is getting enough exercise, especially if it is a high energy bread.

 

[demaro]

Also leave a radio on for them. My dogs seem to enjoy that.

 

[adamant]

Thanks for the replies. Our dog is a little over 2 years old and we've have her for just under 2 years (got her from the shelter when she was about 6 months).

I've been trying to run her down in the morning and that has been pretty successful in keeping her quiet for the morning at least. Today, even though my girlfriend was home, she's been ignoring her and keeping her in her crate (we read something about "reducing contrast" where you blur the lines between the masters leaving and the dog suddenly being all alone, with being home and the dog not getting much attention anyway).

I might look into the senior citizens center thing, that's a really cool idea. Though, she's a young dog and quite energetic, so I'm not sure if that'd be the best fit. Maybe in a few years though.

I'm looking forward to reading more ideas.

 

[RobertH]

Do you live in an apartment or a house with a yard?

If you have a yard you could build a nice dog run. You need a nice shaded/sheltered area where the dog can sleep and stay dry if it rains and then a larger area fenced in where she can run around. It helps with some dogs, but some can just end up barking all day which will drive your neighbours nuts.

 

[RichGem]

How about adding another dog? They can keep each other company and won't be lonely.

Or... a cat. That'll keep 'em entertained.

 

[adamant]

Do you live in an apartment or a house with a yard?

If you have a yard you could build a nice dog run. You need a nice shaded/sheltered area where the dog can sleep and stay dry if it rains and then a larger area fenced in where she can run around. It helps with some dogs, but some can just end up barking all day which will drive your neighbours nuts.

We actually do have a dog run, but she's a fairly skittish dog, so I'm afraid she'd end up going nuts while outside all day.

Or... a cat. That'll keep 'em entertained.

We have a cat, too. ...but he just sleeps on the couch most of the day and the dog is in the crate.

I am hoping that once we get into a good routine she'll get more used to us leaving and knowing that we will indeed come back.

 

[DavyRay]

We actually do have a dog run, but she's a fairly skittish dog, so I'm afraid she'd end up going nuts while outside all day.



We have a cat, too. ...but he just sleeps on the couch most of the day and the dog is in the crate.

I am hoping that once we get into a good routine she'll get more used to us leaving and knowing that we will indeed come back.

I vote for the dog run over the crate. A dog will get used to its environment. The key is for the dog run to be a fun place. That means that you will have to spend just a little time in there with your dog. It needs to be a nice place with her pack, not exile.

 

[tpoof]

hire a walker...

 

[rdeakle]

I recommend:

 

[dmm26]

Get one of these and a can of tennis balls and take your dog out whenever you can. Works like a charm and no slobbery tennis balls to pick up either

 

[Bullwinkle]

what size or breed is your dog? another dog might help, we have 'doggie' day cares around here that are packed everyday. they get group time inside and out.. nap time alone and are feed alone. since I retired I've been thinking about trying to get on a few hours a week out there. if it's a barker outside annoying the neighbors all day won't work. all day is a long time in a crate without 'pottie' breaks. when someone is there does she get out of jail and where does she sleep? obedience trained?

btw, leaving a radio on does work at least for shorter periods or time.. I found out by accident that Dean Martin would make our German Shorthair fall right to sleep so I put on a long mp3 of Dean and put it on repeat whenever we leave him.

 

[adamant]

Thanks for the suggestions. Believe it or not, she really does like her crate, she will even go in there just to hang out while we are home. We will be able to take her out in the middle of the day for potty breaks, so that aspect isn't really an issue. We've been looking into various doggie day cares to take her to occasionally.