Hi everyone Im new.

My names Millie. I am the new owner (just 3 weeks) of an 11 month old labrador x (not sure what the cross is!). Hes settled in lovely except I think he may have a little bit of seperation anxiety as he chews or poops when Im out. Any tips on occupying his time? He has a bone and a kong (which I was advised to fill with treats and peanut butter) but he still finds something to eat.

He has 2 walks a day and lots of fuss. Hes left on his own whilst Im at work 9-5pm and for the first week didnt do anything wrong. Now hes settled hes started the defiant stage. On walks he used to drop his ball on command and also sit but now he wont drop his ball on command and also doesnt always sit.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

It sounds more like he's gone through the honeymoon period (a new dog isn't sure of the rules and routines so are quite reserved) and now he's settled in his normal self is showing itself.

Kongs are good, if he's keen on it you could try freezing it so it lasts longer, or using something hard to get out; metled cheese works well once it's cooled off and you can put bits of kibble and stuff in it while it's still melted to keep him interested (and to not give him too much cheese!).

He sounds a little unsure about things rather than defiant - uncertain dogs can be reluctant to sit as it takes longer to get up and move from a sit than it does from standing (i.e. if something were to spook him), so it's quite a vulnerable position.  Also some dogs can use toys as a sort of comfort blanket so he may be unwilling to let it go for that reason.  After only 3 weeks it is very early days.

Make everything fun for him and motivate him to do as you ask (ASK, not tell) - reward anything and everything good he does, keep everything lighthearted and positive.

I'd really suggest you use a crate with him.  He will probably feel safer in a den-like place (if properly introduced) and it will also prevent him from chewing and discourage him from pooping (since dogs don't poop where they sleep - this is one of the main uses for a crate.)

To introduce the crate, see here:  http://www.ddfl.org/sites/default/files/crate-train.pdf

do you have someone coming in to him during the day, being left from 9 - 5 alone is an awful long time for not being able to be let out to toilet, and of course a long time for a Young active curious dog to not get bored and go self employed.

Thanks for your comments. I would rather not use a crate, but if things were to get worse it is something I would consider.

Ive not owned a dog for years so its trying to remember what I did back then!

He is a lovely dog and we do have a lot of fun. Although its only been 3 weeks its like Ive always had him. Someone on a walk today said something along the lines of 'Hes so relaxed around you to say you've only had him 3 weeks and he never leaves you'. This is what makes me think its the seperation thing.

Brainless - Ive had conflicting advice. My mum and niece were popping round through the day to let him out but then others were saying if hes going to be alone he needs to get used to this from day 1, so Im unsure which to do now. I want whats best for him obviously, Im just inexperienced.

Personally I would never leave a dog for so long. (And absolutely not crate for that period of time.) Presumably it works out at more than 8 hours as you will have to travel to and from work as well? Look at it like this: could you avoid using the toilet for more than 8 hours during the day?  If you see it that way, I'm sure you can see the logic in having somebody come in to him at least once a day. :)

Also of course dogs are social creatures, so being alone for extended periods on a regular basis is not natural or in their psychological (let alone physical re needing to eliminate) best interests.

If you have someone willing to come in to let him out and break up his day, and provide a bit of company, then jump at the chance.  Even better if he could stay with them some of the time while your not home.

Please, please, please do not crate him for that long.

Is this just because hes a pup or for life?

What are you asking about ? The crate or being left ?

Being left, Im not comtemplating the crate just yet...if ever.

Personally, if I worked that long I wouldn't have a dog.
There are people on here who do and no doubt they will be along to tell you how they organize themselves and their dogs.
Perhaps you could look into a dog walker to break up the day and so the dog knows when to expect a loo break, a leg stretch and some mental stimulation.

Imagine if you were shut in a room all day, no tv, no radio, no computer, no other person, absolutely nothing for you to do all day but look at 4 walls, what do you think you would get up to?

An 11 month lab is an adolescent at a time in his life when hormones are raging the last thing he wants to do is sleep all day and chew a kong for a few minutes a day, he needs interaction, play, mental stimulation, he needs people.

This is not separation anxiety it is pure boredom and yes he will chew things and get up to mischief he is making his own entertainment, tbh it probably fills his time a little going to the toilet too, marking out his territory is something to do.

Please make sure your relatives do go to your home often to offer stimulation and take him out for a little walk or garden play, at this age two to 3 small walks a day totaling approx 55mins a day is what he needs.

As an aside.........Adolescence is the time when many dogs want to do their own thing and feel their own instinctual calling at it's strongest, so be patient with him and expect him to often be at his 'naughtiest' it will pass, just keep training his commands and always use praise and reward this breed lap up attention.

Very pleased he is bonding closely with you, he will be a great companion and friend but please give him people to be with and stimulation whilst you are at work.  :-)

Thanks for the advice. I will take it all on board.

On a seperate issue....I want to get him castrated, my other half doesnt (must be a man thing!)....which is best?

Just want to agree with what others have said. I wouldn't have a dog of any age if it had to be left alone for so long, and especially with a young dog you are likely to create problems that will be very hard to solve. No this is not seperation anxiety, it is sheer boredom, frustration and misery. Yes you will have to find some way to break his day up for the rest of his life, not just as a pup. If your relatives can't commit to the long term then it will mean a professional dog walker.

Wait until he is at least 2 years old, labs mature between 2-3 years and it takes that long for his hormones to settle,his body to stop growing and for his character to build, during this time you need to install confidence in him, socialise him well with other dogs and people.

Adolescent dogs are often picked on by mature males so please keep him safe from this also, make sure he does not have any bad experiences with other dogs. If he is castrated young he may give off the scent akin to a female which causes a lot of interest from male dogs which he will not want, also if he is not of a strong and confident character testosterone often gives dogs 'backbone' take it away too soon which is what castration does and an adolescent can become fearful or fear aggressive.

So for all these reasons wait until he is mature and then see what character he has as a lab it should be happy and confident if he is shy or fearful don't castrate, worse thing you can do.

Many people keep their dogs entire, but just wait for his character and hormones to settle and then decide. :-)

Thanks Carrington. He does socialise very well with other dogs. Out of walks he plays with other dogs really well.

I forgot to mention we used a CCTV to record him and noticed that he did things (pooping and chewing) about 20 minutes after we left the house....until he chewed through the cable of the CCTV and then we couldnt watch him anymore! lol

Sorry, I missed the bit about him being left 9-5 when I suggested the crate...

Leaving the crate aside, that's just really not on for a young dog - not without some pretty major arrangements being made, beyond a kong.  Talking:  Several kongs, stuffed to last as long as possible, meals fed in treat dispensers, a dog walker, or doggie daycare, training sessions with you when you're home, training classes preferably more than once a week, and so on...

He can't be crated 9-5, no.  Even if someone lets him out to toilet, to then go straight back into the crate again isn't a life. 

A friend of mine who's a dog walker has had to stop walking a dog because it plays dodge at the end of the walk and won't be caught, and this is happening earlier and earlier in the walk.  Turns out dog is spending all day locked up in a crate, and doesn't want to be caught and go home to this... 

Honestly, think long and hard about putting some things into place to make his life better... 

Can I just say...I didnt mention the crate or even say I was going to use one!

Try leaving the radio on ,i do this when i go to work but i come home at lunch time and finish when school ends, i noticed my dogs dont like the silence and would bark at the slighest noise , now they seem more relaxed ,when i come home im sure they were having a sing song lol

>Can I just say...I didnt mention the crate or even say I was going to use one!

I know littlemiss, but I wanted to correct what I said - I wouldn't want to be recommending anyone who works 9-5 crates their dog for that period of time.

Maybe I read your post wrong but it sounded like you were having a go at me for using a crate...apologies if you didnt mean it that way.

I am in the process of booking a dog trainer to ensure hes getting the best treatment and care I can give him so watch this space!

This study http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf of the pros and cons comes out to show that there are more negatives than positives re castrating a male, so unless he is likely to be in regular close contact with entire bitches and their seasons are going to cause issues with his being kept separate then he is best left as nature intended.  His testosterone levels will be at their peak over the next few months completing his physical male characteristics, these levels will fall off and eh will become less hormone driven as eh matures.

If people are happy to pop in and let him out then it's got to be better than leaving him alone. I get really sad when I think of lonely bored dogs, all they ever really want is us - if that makes sense. If my circumstances ever change then I'd pay for somebody to call in. In ten years the max our dog has ever been left is six hours, and I bet that's happened no more than seven or eight times. I'm sure many dogs cope longer and that's fine but it's just what seems fair to us. We get a neighbour to let him out if we think we could be away longer. Bit like that bit in Marley And Me - says something like 'dogs have such short lives and thy spend much of it waiting for us to come home'. Good luck with your new arrival - I'm sure he'll be fine, but I just think company has to be better than toys/food.

>Maybe I read your post wrong but it sounded like you were having a go at me for using a crate...apologies if you didnt mean it that way.

No, not having a go for you using a crate.

But I guess I was suggesting that it's not ideal for a young, energetic dog to be left 9-5 - crate or no crate.

Whereabouts do you live?  Someone on here might be able to suggest something nearby - whether walkers, daycare, training or whatever.

I would look at dogwalker dog sitter or friend to come in see him. Def too long to be on his own. This might help the pooing etc.

Personally I think that he is being left alone for far too long a time.  Dogs are social animals, and he is being left for over 8 hours a day.  As someone has already mentioned, there will be people who say it's just fine.

I'm in the other camp, and would never let a dog go to anyone who worked full time unless they make arrangements for the dog to have company during the day.  After all, they are companion animlas.

Just a little update:

Weve cleaned our sun room out into a dog friendly room. He now has a whole room dedicated to him (so no crate needed) and hes been much better. He has bones and toys in there and I rotate them every day. He has had a couple of accidents which coincided with him having a bone but this has settled now so all in all a positive step forward. :-)

Okay...maybe this forum isnt for me. :-s

Why not?

Ive been watching other posts and there seems to be a 'click'. If your in the click opinions seem different somehow....never mind. Nice knowing those of you who helped me.

Can you give examples of this as I am a bit confused by your reaction ?

How ridiculously childish! So, if we don't all agree that your poor dog should be shut home alone all day without toilet breaks, you are going to throw your toys out the pram and leave the forum? Well, so be it.  Because I will never think that is OK.
You try it for 1 day.  Get up in the morning and go for a walk in the park.  Come home and eat your brekkie and have a big drink to wash it down then you sit in a room all day.  No entertainment other than a slinky and maybe a biscuit or 2(you can hide these if you like for more 'fun').  And sit there from 9-5 with no toilet breaks.  Come back on here at 5:05 and let us all know how you feel!!
YOU are your dogs LIFE.  Do you understand this?? He has nothing but you except you have TV and PC's and friends and chats and work and a partner(maybe).  He has YOU.

When my OH and I both worked full-time, he changed shifts so that someone was home for most of the day.  There was a 4 hour overlap when the dogs would be home-alone but we had outside kennels and more than one dog that would keep each other company.
I'm sorry if I come across harsh but seriously, did you think this was OK?

Ill let the dog be shot then because I have to work full time in order to keep a roof above my head. I cant have a dog because I dont scrounge off the dole and push a baby out by the time Im 18 so that I can sit at home all day and do nothing. Give me a break.

My dog is happy and loved. He may be alone for a few hours but at least when I am home he gets lots of love and attention. You actually make me disgusted by your comments. Luckily I have a brilliant dog trainer who has said he is fine with the routine he is in and that he is healthy and happy.

> Nice knowing those of you who helped me.

You had a problem - you came onto a forum and asked advice - you got advice - some you liked and some you obviously didn't. Did you ask your dog which advice was the best ?? Did you follow the best advice for your dog ?  In life, if we have a problem, what is important is how we deal with it. Did we do the right thing ? That's all that matters - that little small voice inside that says 'You did your best'

Added - I waited until I was 44 before I got my own dog - not because we didn't have the space, money etc, but because it was only then that I had the time to be home some of the time (I worked part-time) and my children were old enough to walk the dog as well.

> and there seems to be a 'click'

I'm in a clique of 1 ! :) :)

> I have to work full time

Yes, but you don't have to have a dog. 
Like several other posters here I went without a dog until I was able to offer it a proper life and that didn't involve being on the dole or having a baby :)

>I have a brilliant dog trainer who has said he is fine with the routine he is in and that he is healthy and happy.

He's not or you would not have sought advise.

I'm afraid anyone who thinks it's okay to leave a dog alone for longer than they themselves can last without needing to visit the toilet are deluding themselves. I certainly can't last 9 hours ((am - 5pm plus travelling time) and that's why your dog is messing in the house while you're out. When you've got to go, you've got to go! Dog ownership is a privilege, not a right; unless a person can provide a suitable environment (and for a diurnal sociable species, being alone for most of the hours of daylight isn't one of them) they should delay getting one until they can. It's nothing personal :-) but your dog clearly isn't happy with his living conditions or you would never have needed to come on here and ask for advice. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but sometimes the truth is uncomfortable.

You asked in your opening post "Any tips on occupying his time? ". Yes. :-) Make sure he gets regular outings, about every three or four hours during the day, and plenty of company.

Well thank you - I wont be par-taking is any more conversations.

My gripe was that on my update no one commented. Nothing. Thats what hurt the most. People are very quick to criticise but not so much to praise.

And for the record - I contacted the dog trainer after I posted on here.

Admin - you can close my account - I wont be needing it anymore.

> My gripe was that on my update no one commented. Nothing

Maybe because the one important thing - that someone was coming in at lunchtime to walk him/let him out in the garden - wasn't mentioned :( Is someone coming in ?? I'm sure that everyone on here would be only too happy to cheer if that is the case :) The other changes that you have done are very good - but won't make him more comfortable if he needs a wee :(

>My gripe was that on my update no one commented. Nothing. Thats what hurt the most.

It's the weekend so many people are far too busy to spend all their time on the computer, remember. ;-) Nobody is 'staff' here - everyone is a volunteer, so sometimes you need to be patient. :-)

>People are very quick to criticise but not so much to praise.

You're right there. You've been given advice as to how to make your dog happier and yet you've given no praise or thanks for that, just criticism that it doesn't suit you.

If you have a child you make childcare arrangements for when you go to work. If you have a dog you need to make dog-care arrangements. Simples.

if you are still around well done for contacting a dog trainer and having a dedicated area for yur dog. Hopefully you will be able to have someone coming in to play and let him put while you work ro a dog walker for an hour or two. yes I do think it should be for life.
I have had dogs and worked full time (and children at the same time ) and used a mixture of me or oh coming in during the day for 30 mins or so and a walker.
My first dog a gsd would have me leaving the house at 8.00 my oh at 10 me returning at 1.00 for 30 mins and then me back at 4.00 for the evening. I dont think other than work she was ever left more than 4 hours at a time except for the very rare occasion. Its different now 30 years on life changes
having a dog like kids can turn your life uspside down to give them the best but its worth it

Good luck I hope you have alovely time with your dog and he and you are very happy :)
I am sure if you ever want to ask questions or give advice again yu will be most welcome.

Re your update re the sun room.  By this I understand it is somewhat like a conservatory????  The problem with conservatories and rooms with a lot of glass is that there can be huge variations in temperature, ti cna get very hot in the day and very cold at night. 

For msot dogs the coldest it gets in the UK will not be an issue for a coated breed, but heat definitely can be a serious issue.

So I would take a thermometer in there on a sunny day at different times of year, and monitor the temperature throughout the day and ensure there is shade for the dog throughout the day.