should we get rid of him

[mum2bubba]

Ok, last year I got a pup off Freecycle (kelpie x boardie collie) he is a good dog but he is very distructive I know because he is bored and all that but I can't take him for walks in the day coz he isn't very good on his leash and its very hard to take a dog and a toddler (esp since he jumps on her all the time) he digs holes like he wants to go to bl00dy China or something, he chews everything despite the fact we have bought him numerous toys, hes feed pretty well during the day but he is wrecking the backyard and also he gets into the shed (one of the windows is broken-was before we moved) and chees everything in there. I know he is only a pup and he will outgrow this but he is driving me insane, I suggested to Grant that we all go for a walk after dinner each night so I can take Hayley in the pram and he can walk the dog but he is always too tired or whatever, he is one of those dogs who needs excersise ALL the time and I dont have the time.
So should we get rid of him or just try and spend time more time with him?

[FourAngelKisses]

Border collies and kelpies are working dogs, so they need to be kept entertained ALL day pretty much. So I hate to say it, but it might be a good idea to get rid of him and get a dog that isn't a working dog.

[tickle]

Why not take him to dog obedience so that he will be good to walk on the leash. It makes the world of difference to your dog. I've got two border collies (who we used to have on a residential block), and they were fantastic once they were trained and over the puppy stage. We would take them to the off leash area everyday so they could run for a while. We also left lots of toys that make them work(kong balls with food in them), when we were out which kept them busy.
Good luck. :)

[RoarsomeMum]

I agree with Angel Kisses. Its great that you realise that he is bored! and with that type of breed, even a Long walk every morning and night he will probably still be eager for more. :yes:

[Lizzie0808]

Obedience classes will help as well - as they stimulate his mind and if you can practice the stuff you learn in them with him every day he;ll be getting mental exercise even if you can't walk him alone.

And definitely get some toys that require thinking. That will help tire him out.

[IheartOman]

Ow poor puppy :( Bit of a tough one because a part of me wants to say "If your child was being destructive you wouldn't get rid of it so why get rid of your puppy" but maybe he would be better off with someone else who can give him what he needs :confused:

With whatever you choose, hopefully you (or your dp - whoever wanted the dog to begin with) have learnt something from the experience and don't get an animal unless you can provide it with what it needs.

[SairBear]

i agree with angelkisses too.. maybe u need to find him a new home in the country or on some land so he can do his natural thing.. and maybe consider getting a better choice doggie for your lifestyle.... :thumbsup:

[~rambox~]

Yep he has the working dog bread so maybe he does need more space to keep him occupied :thumbsup:

[mum2bubba]

I'm not saying he is a BAD dog and no I wouldn' get rid of my kids if they were naughty :rolleyes: but I just don't know what else to do, we don't have the money for obidence school and we have a small backyard, he needs somewhere to run around, I don't WANT to get rid of him but what else can I do? I have bought him heaps of toys and I even go out the back and TRY and play fetch with him and TRY and train him to do basic commands like sit and stay (he knows sit) but I think taking him for walks is something both Grant and I need to do every night for an hour at least or maybe Grant can stay home with Hayley and I take him, but then I have heaps to do here like cook dinner and get Hayley ready for bed etc.

[IheartOman]

Can I ask, why did you get him in the first place? I think I remember a post you made ages ago - was this dp's idea to get a dog and now he wont do anything for him? (Correct me if Im wrong)

[RoarsomeMum]

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I really admire the OP and any other person honest enough to admit that perhaps they have chosen a pet that does not suit their lifestyle. Mum2bubs nor anyone else here is suggesting putting the dog to sleep, just finding it a more suitable home. Where he can be happy and cared for by peopel who have teh time/commitment. Thats something to be encouraged and admired IMO.

[~rambox~]

mum2bubba I can see this is a hard decission for you and i think you should do what is best for you and your family despite what anyone says

[Puk]

Please keep your answers contructive and offer some advice to the OP. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.

I think dog obedience is a great idea. How big is your yard? Is there enough room for him to run around and expel some energy? I play with my dog every afternoon and get her running around, although she is only a chihuahua.

The idea of giving him toys that make him work is a great idea, kongs are good but if you can't afford one you can try putting some treats into a plastic coke bottle and giving that to him.

I had a friend who had a cattle dog who liked to round things up so they gave him lots of wind up toys and set them all off every now and then and he'd try and round them up, it was hilarious! :p

[mum2bubba]

Can I ask, why did you get him in the first place? I think I remember a post you made ages ago - was this dp's idea to get a dog and now he wont do anything for him? (Correct me if Im wrong)


Ok I got him for free off freecycle and honestly didn't think about all the pros and cons :o , he is a good dog but yeah, just needs to be disciplined a little (or alot) I don't REALLY want to get rid of him as Grant loves him but I think I will have to look into it, maybe try obedience school first and see what happens.

[IheartOman]

Ok I got him for free off freecycle and honestly didn't think about all the pros and cons :o , he is a good dog but yeah, just needs to be disciplined a little (or alot) I don't REALLY want to get rid of him as Grant loves him but I think I will have to look into it, maybe try obedience school first and see what happens.

Well if Grant loves him hopefully he will take him for walks ect and help you out a bit.

[mum2bubba]

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I am not thinking about putting him down and I also do not just leave him out the back and just forget about him, I try really hard every day to keep him occupied but as for taking him for walks its really hard atm unless both me and Grant go. I admit that I didn't think of the pros and cons when I got him as I only had one day to think about getting him otherwise someone else would have adn I thought it'd be nice to have a pet. I don't hate animals but at least at the end of the day IF we do decide to get rid of him he will (hoepfully) go to someone who does have the time and commitment, you can think all you want about me that I am stupid for getting the wrong dog or that I am cruel for wanting to get rid of him but I am neither of those things. Anyway, I am just looking for suggestions before making any last minute decisions, I think taking him to ob school is something that I will def look into and see how we go from there.

[bigglet]

I definately think obedience school is the way to go for starters.

I have 2 dogs myself - both from working dog backgrounds (heeler x and kelpie x) and they love activities, agility and dog training classes.

Also think about getting interactive toys like balls with food inside, tug toys and lots of big marrow bones! Keeps them occupied for hours!

Have a look at this link for some interactive dog toys:
http://saveadog.org.au/shop/products/new_dog_toys.asp

BTW - puppies do eventually grow out of the chewing and destructive behaviour but unfortunately it can take years. I have a 1.5 year old cattle dog who still chews everything in sight unless she is stimulated.

Also - off leash parks are the best, they can run around and around for ages and even better if you took a ball to throw and fetch.

[Lizzie0808]

Why not try to find some websites that will give you instructions on how to train your dog at home? That way even if you can't afford obedience school you can still give him some mental stimulation and hopefully keep him distracted from being a terror!

Nothing beats a good long walk or run, but keeping his mind working may help.

Don't find him a new home unless you have to, but don't keep him when you truly feel your yard is too small and you don't have the ability to give him the exercise he needs just because you feel guilty for picking the wrong dog to suit your family. That wouldn't be fair to him.

[kea's mum]

Perhaps try a "Gentle leader" or "Halti" to walk him in. They look a bit like a horse halter and are really good at getting control in a short space of time. They aren't cruel , they arent a muzzle and dont pull on his neck like a choker collar, and work well on dogs that really pull and leap around. Your local vet/pet shop should sell them and can show you how to use them correctly. Try in the back yard initially (he will take a little bit to get used to it, he will probably try to paw it off initially but just reward him with treats and stay calm while he has it on) before you take him out for a walk. They are really worth a try ! We see all sizes/strengths of dogs brought into our clinic behaving beautifully with their Gentle leader on.
Good luck !

[neeshNgeorgia]

I could have thought this was my post from when we first got our puppy, he is kelpie border collie x and man he was so HYPO when we first got him and i was thinking the same thing, i have to get rid of him to a farm or property or something , i felt way to cruel keeping him in our back yard ( which isn't small though not enough for a working dog.) though now he is coming on 6 months and he has really settled down, i take him down to the oval about 500metres down the road, with DD in the morning and throw him the toys, DD loves it running around with him and throwing the ball, then at night after dinner we all go for a walk with puppy and give him his excersise, we also found a big marrow bone every few days keeps him occupied for ages!!!
I know how u feel hun, it's kinda a lose lose situation, u feel terrible either way hopefully though with a few of the tips from the ladies here, he'll calm down and stop being so naughty!
Good luck!!!

[bubbasmum]

I know exactly how you feel. I am going through the same thing with my puppy. He is a 1 year old staffy x foxy (weird i know). He is very destructive and a big attention seeker and with a new born baby to look after i just really have no time for him. i know that sounds harsh but it is the reality of it. DH and i walk him once a day and play with in the yard in the morning and afternoon most days but it is not enough for him. I too am considering sending him to another home. In the end you need to think about your dogs happiness and quality of life as well as your families.

[Sonja]

We have two large dogs (both working breeds) and a 17 month old, so I understand exactly where you are coming from. In some ways I think it's so much easier with two dogs as they keep each other company (not that I'm suggesting that as a solution!). Puppies are (in my experience) in some ways a lot harder work than babies - and my daughter was no cake-walk.

I know it's hard because everyone is tired but you really must find the time to exercise your dog - when Lucy was a newborn we still took the dogs out each day twice a day - sometimes only for 20 minutes but long enough so they (a) saw the outside world and (b) spent time alone with either my husband or I.

If you can't give this time to your dog, don't feel bad about relocating him / her to someone who can. You've posted this strand because you care about your dog enough to want to do something to improve its life - ultimately that might mean someone else gives it the time which you can't. Don't beat yourself up about it or pay regard to those who do.

[Lizzie0808]

If you do choose to find a new home for your dog though, please think really carefully before going and getting another.

ALL dogs (especially puppies - and puppydom lasts at least 18 months) need lots of time, attention and training.

[JoJoMart]

We adopted a dog a year ago and he needs constant walks/attention too but we just have to do it. Get your hubby to help more if that's an issue and our dog obedience school only costs $50 for the year's membership so check out dog training in your area too.

If he's a nice looking dog I'm sure he would be adopted through the RSPCA or the Animal Protection Society, Lost Dog's Home etc.