Possibly bringing home a nearly 5 month old doodle home...

deciding2doodle · 03-28-2008, 11:23 AM

Hello everyone,
I think we might finally be bringing home our first doodle in 2 weeks. We are about to take the plunge into guardianship...I was just hoping to get the lowdown from all of you about the 5 month old stage,etc...She is already well socialized,potty trained and crate trained now we just need to begin her with leash training. I do have a big question about crating her while we are out for a few hours at a time....Did anyone leave music on, or the TV? I just need to know the timing of how long we can leave her in the crate depending on her age. I work part time for myself so that isn't an issue but 1 day a week I work a longer day and I will have someone walking her...How soon should they come after we depart for the day? Any other info. would be helpful . ANy favorite chew toys to help with the puppy chews? Whatever advice anyone would like to give would be very helpful....Thanks

Lora · 03-28-2008, 11:45 AM

My trainer always told us to add 3 hours to whatever age they are. So at 5 months, technically the dog should be able to hold it for 8. Having said that, I would have the dog walker come in about 4 hours after you leave the dog.

You will also want to invest in a kong. You can stuff it with treats and leave it with the dog when you leave the house. That way they associate your leaving with a yummy kong. Heck, Boyd (who is almost two) WAITS for us to leave in the morning so he can get his kong - sometimes I swear he's thinking "come on man! would ya hurry up and leave so I can have my kong!"

Puppies love bully sticks but too much can make them have the runs. Beware of any toys with ears and tails, those go first and then they get destuffed.

What an exciting time!!

SadieFern · 03-28-2008, 11:49 AM

We leave CNN on for Sadie

She'd probably be fine even if we didn't but I think it helps.
I've always read to add ONE to their age in months and that's how long they can hold it. Sadie proved true that she can hold it for about five hours during the day but nothing over that

Night time she can go for 8-9 if water has been taken away at 7:00 p.m.

Toys...yes, Kongs are great. Try to have a variety (not too many) in the crate with your puppy. I think they mostly just sleep when we're away though.

Have fun!

03-28-2008, 12:05 PM

Congrats!!! You'll love having a doodle. I leave the radio on for Maya. Mostly country music. Not sure if she needs it or not but I leave it on for her anyway.

L's Mom · 03-28-2008, 12:17 PM

I bet you are so excited! Labradoodles are the greatest! I don't leave anything thing on for Lucas, I leave him his favorite stuffed Moose, and then something to chew on. I have heard 1 plus the number of months... but I think all dogs are a little different.

Jac · 03-28-2008, 12:32 PM

Congratulations!!
I agree, music or the TV is a good thing to leave on.
Here is a nice article about crate training and toward the bottom it mentions how much time per day to leave a dog in a crate: http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

momoftwo · 03-28-2008, 02:52 PM

I found location of the great was a big deal for Dante. We had tried leaving the radio on, then the TV. Anything I put in a Kong would still be in it when we got back home. What was key for him was to have the crate near the back sliding glass door or the front door sideight so he could see outside.

Heather

lmtoth2 · 03-28-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

We leave CNN on for Sadie

that's funny...we leave food network on for the boys if they are loose and alone in the house...figure there is little chance of a loud noise or dogs coming on.

Shaia · 03-28-2008, 05:25 PM

we leave the animal planet on

for shaia when we're out. 5 months is a great age, but as we just discussed on a prior thread - the teenage years!!! i recommend beginning obedience classes to help both you and your puppy train each other

good luck!

gene · 03-28-2008, 07:20 PM

Turner classic movies here....I think animal palnet gets them all worked up.....

deciding2doodle · 03-28-2008, 08:45 PM

Thanks so much for all of these tips. It has been a long while since I have had a puppy of this age. My last dog I got as a rescue when he was 18 months old. I feel a bit like a fish out of water, but a happy fish ! Hopefully all will work out as we have planned and we will be bringing her home in 2 weeks.

03-28-2008, 11:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
deciding2doodle Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 41	Possibly bringing home a nearly 5 month old doodle home... Hello everyone, I think we might finally be bringing home our first doodle in 2 weeks. We are about to take the plunge into guardianship...I was just hoping to get the lowdown from all of you about the 5 month old stage,etc...She is already well socialized,potty trained and crate trained now we just need to begin her with leash training. I do have a big question about crating her while we are out for a few hours at a time....Did anyone leave music on, or the TV? I just need to know the timing of how long we can leave her in the crate depending on her age. I work part time for myself so that isn't an issue but 1 day a week I work a longer day and I will have someone walking her...How soon should they come after we depart for the day? Any other info. would be helpful . ANy favorite chew toys to help with the puppy chews? Whatever advice anyone would like to give would be very helpful....Thanks

03-28-2008, 11:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lora Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 523	My trainer always told us to add 3 hours to whatever age they are. So at 5 months, technically the dog should be able to hold it for 8. Having said that, I would have the dog walker come in about 4 hours after you leave the dog. You will also want to invest in a kong. You can stuff it with treats and leave it with the dog when you leave the house. That way they associate your leaving with a yummy kong. Heck, Boyd (who is almost two) WAITS for us to leave in the morning so he can get his kong - sometimes I swear he's thinking "come on man! would ya hurry up and leave so I can have my kong!" Puppies love bully sticks but too much can make them have the runs. Beware of any toys with ears and tails, those go first and then they get destuffed. What an exciting time!! __________________ Lora and Boyd

03-28-2008, 11:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
SadieFern Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 576	We leave CNN on for Sadie She'd probably be fine even if we didn't but I think it helps. I've always read to add ONE to their age in months and that's how long they can hold it. Sadie proved true that she can hold it for about five hours during the day but nothing over that Night time she can go for 8-9 if water has been taken away at 7:00 p.m. Toys...yes, Kongs are great. Try to have a variety (not too many) in the crate with your puppy. I think they mostly just sleep when we're away though. Have fun! __________________ ~Julie~ Mom to three kids and two furbabies!

03-28-2008, 12:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
L's Mom Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: GA Posts: 1,162	I bet you are so excited! Labradoodles are the greatest! I don't leave anything thing on for Lucas, I leave him his favorite stuffed Moose, and then something to chew on. I have heard 1 plus the number of months... but I think all dogs are a little different. __________________ Jenny, Sam, Lucas, & Della

03-28-2008, 05:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
Shaia Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 247	we leave the animal planet on for shaia when we're out. 5 months is a great age, but as we just discussed on a prior thread - the teenage years!!! i recommend beginning obedience classes to help both you and your puppy train each other good luck! __________________ ************************************ Mary & Shaia

03-28-2008, 12:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Congrats!!! You'll love having a doodle. I leave the radio on for Maya. Mostly country music. Not sure if she needs it or not but I leave it on for her anyway.

03-28-2008, 12:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 9,243	Congratulations!! I agree, music or the TV is a good thing to leave on. Here is a nice article about crate training and toward the bottom it mentions how much time per day to leave a dog in a crate: http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

03-28-2008, 02:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
momoftwo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 273	I found location of the great was a big deal for Dante. We had tried leaving the radio on, then the TV. Anything I put in a Kong would still be in it when we got back home. What was key for him was to have the crate near the back sliding glass door or the front door sideight so he could see outside. Heather

03-28-2008, 07:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
gene Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: youngstown ohio Posts: 8,619	Turner classic movies here....I think animal palnet gets them all worked up..... __________________ gene , jonah , miko and rumor "A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down." - Robert Benchley

03-28-2008, 08:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
deciding2doodle Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 41	Thanks so much for all of these tips. It has been a long while since I have had a puppy of this age. My last dog I got as a rescue when he was 18 months old. I feel a bit like a fish out of water, but a happy fish ! Hopefully all will work out as we have planned and we will be bringing her home in 2 weeks.

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