Hi everyone,

I've just had to drive home from work after a telephone call from my neighbour, as Toby has escaped from the garden.  I'm amazed, as I really didn't think he could get out, but he used the 6 foot high fence like a ladder, and climbed up and over.  He's never tried this before (he has escaped before, but it was our fault as we'd left stuff near the gate and he climbed on top of that).

I'm just wondering if we're not giving him the best quality of life, with us both being at work.  He's on his own 3 days a week, from appro 8.30 - 5pm, but sometimes only until 3pm if OH is on early shift. 

The problem is he's just not content being in the garden.  It's a fair sized garden so he has plenty of room to run around, and has his toys etc, but he just wants to be out.  He apparently just sat by the back door waiting for us.  He's a very needy dog, always wanting to be with you.

He's a springer cross, and very very energetic.  But only this morning he was let out on a field to have a lovely big run - why can't he just rest when he gets home?!  I just wonder if, being a springer cross, he needs a better environment than what we can provide for him.  I've discussed re-homing him (by advertising and checking out prospective new owners house, garden etc, and I'd also tell them his history of how much of a bugger he can be!!) with OH, but he gets really upset and doesn't want to do that.

So now poor Toby is chained up in the back garden, being the only way to stop him escaping.  I know quite a few of you work full time and have a dog, so I'd love to hear your views on this.

Also, another bit of advice needed.  We have a baby gate to try to keep Toby in the kitchen if he's wet after his walks etc, but he immediately jumps over the gate into the living room, shooting upstairs.  We try picking him up, not scolding him and just putting him back in the kitchen without speaking to him (sort of like you would with a child if it wouldn't stay in its bedroom at night time) but the other night we tried this and he jumped over 22 times.  The very second Dave's bum hit the sofa, Toby would be jumping over again.

I really can't understand him - please help.  Any other techniques to help him stay in the kitchen would be appreciated.

Please don't think that we 'stick' him in the kitchen every evening, this is just when necessary, ie, if I have my 10 week old neice over, or if I'm cleaning out the hamsters in the living room.  I don't want to have to shut him in the garden every time I need a bit of 'time out'.

Thanks, Sharon

Cant you not keep him in the house during the day?  I personally don't like the idea fo my dogs being left outside for the exact reason that if the jump the fence with part of it's only about 4ft but with a 7ft drop the other side, however cars park along side so it would be easy for them to escape if they really wanted to.  Ours are kept safe and sound in the hall/landing only.  It might not give them room to run but at least they are safe!

To a springer with energy a 6ft fence is nothing!  If you want to keep him outside why not invest in a kennel run with a roof?  That will stop him going anywhere (hopefully) 

With regards to the baby gate, thats why our dogs get the landing aswell as the hall because one climbs over it!  Is it not possible to shut the door?  Or maybe it's worth investing in a cage that he can be shut in for the short time while you are doing something else or want him to dry after a run!  after all you don't keep him seperated for too long, half hour max shoudl do the job then he can come in and have his cuddles!

JMPO but I don't think chaining him up is the answer.  I have heard of dogs and seen dogs get tagled up then chained up, and it's fine if your their with them, but if no-one's around he might harm himself (small chance most likly but still a chance.  However it is MO! :)

There is also the very real risk of him hanging himself over the fence while chained.  I suspect he could also get very noisy and annoy the neighbours.  In the house he won't get over stimulated.  Leave him in a room that he cannot see out of with radio or TV on, with chew toys.  Take him out before you leave for work and as soon as you get back in.  Springers are always fully charged, it is one reason I couldn't live with one :D

Hi Brainless.  The chain that Toby's on doesn't allow him to reach the bottom fence, so he couldn't hang himself thankfully, but I understand what you're all saying about him becoming tangled.

Ice Queen - We had him in the house before, but I thought that would be really boring for him all day, and then overnight too?  If not, I'd happily put him back in the house, as he doesn't mess any more - we've realised that his messing in the kitchen was simply a habit, so if we shut the gate he doesn't jump into the kitchen (just out!!) so he doesn't mess anymore. 

We don't have any door between the kitchen and living room, it's awkward to explain, but we've got a door way, with the baby gate, and two swing doors (which Toby pulls towards him with his nose allowing him to jump over the gate)

Keeley,

Please don't chain him up that is an accident waiting to happen honestly.

I though if you had a door you proberly would have shut him behind that! :D I think the garden may be boring him, hence why his trying to and succeeding to escape.  I'd say try him back in the house.  let him have plenty of toys and I know alot of people like to give Kongs filled with goodies to keep their dogs entertaind. (don't have first hand experiance of them though)  Itwill proberbly be alot safer for him, and your neighbour may not always be around to watch him. 

As long as you walk him before you leave and when you get home he might be happy left in the house.  Surely it's worth a go?

It certainly is.  He's been in house before, but was messing in the kitchen, but as mentioned we appear to have cracked that now, so I'll try shutting him in the house again.  I know he won't play with his toys though - he never does unless we're there :rolleyes: they're always in exactly the same place that we left them.  It's like the only stimulation he enjoys is when we're there with him.

Could this be because he does sleep alot?  So no need to play with his toys?  i have 4 dogs hear who are normally on their own at this time of day who are all fast asleep giving evil glares with I dare wake them!

Just had a thought.  if this neighbor likes the dog and he likes the children, could she pop in to let him out for 5-10 mins when he is being left the full day?  Just so it's not so boring for him?

Hi, I agree, kennel and run, It's handy when you are in as well,
I do leave the Telly and Radio on in the veranda, so they can
hear it. I would never have dreamed of having a run years ago.
It's the best thing we ever did, like children the house and garden is to share
not all there's. But! mine do have time in, and share the house, like today
they were all bathed yesterday and  it's raining today so they are in,
and they sleep in of a night. Like children they play out during the day.
I am at the moment though having a large inside area done off the run.
Ready for the winter as if they get wet they do smell awfull of wet wool.
I have heard of dogs hanging themselfs of the end of a chain!!!
Regards
Denese

Keeley - I can understand and sympathise with your predicament and wouldn't like to advise on whether you should re-home him.  But I would be very concerned about leaving a dog chained up outside for any period of time.  If he's as anxious to get out as you say I'd be worried he'd get his legs tangled and injure himself.  Maybe a purpose built dog kennel and run might be worth considering ?

Hi, thanks for your reply.  He has a large dog kennel, but TBH there's no room to build a run or anything similar.  He's quite small dog (IMO anyway!), so the garden is certainly big enough for him, but a run would turn it into a 'doggy' garden, with no space for anything else much!  But then that's probably being selfish? 

If he's just behave like a 'normal' dog and enjoy the freedom of the garden, without feeling the need to escape all the time, it wouldn't be a problem!! You're right about him getting caught up, I'd not thought about that, but what else to do?

I'm sorry but a "normal dog" would try and get out if they had a chance.  I would never leave my dogs out whilst at work and definitely wouldn't chain them up. 

Is there a reason why he/she can't stay in your house whilst you are at work?

He is behaving normally for a Springer without enough to occupy his body and mind :D

Hi spanishwaterdog, no, there's no reason why he can't stay inside during the day, I just thought being outside might be nicer for him.  Fresh air and all that!  Plus he loves chasing birds and things.  I just imagined it to be very boring for him in the house on his own all day - I have neighbours who have children that pet him during the day if he's outside.

Could the children be winding him up or perhaps encouraging him to them? Did he go over the fence to visit them? Just a thought...

Don't think there were any children around this morning, and usually they're supervised by their mum.  My neighbour was saying how good he is with children and that he doesn't even jump up at the fence when they are giving him treats.

Tell me about it!  I don't think even 6 hours training a day would occupy Toby's mind!!

My friend rehomed her 2 springers when she split with her husband and she was at work all day. She had a kennel and run in the garden for them but when she came home they just exploded with energy and rampaged around the house until she managed to get them in the car for their walk. They would run for miles and still be gagging for a game when they got back or another run! One of them developed a complete obsession with any moving lights or shadows and would  go beserk. I sometimes went in to feed them and walk them for her if she was late and they were just a ball of unspent energy waiting to be released.

She never regretted rehoming - although she missed them. They were just not the type of dogs to cope with isolation - and they could easily clear a 6 foot fence :( I don't know what the answer is, but I do know she couldn't keep them in the house - they would have trashed the place - and the mud they brought in on their paws - I couldn't have coped with it as well as she did.

In all honesty, he would be acting like a "normal dog" by jumping over the fence.
If left alone unattended in the garden for long stretches, many young active jump capable dogs would do the same thing.
Not meant as a criticism, but i always feel that when you are looking for solutions to "problems" with your dog, its always best to "think dog" first.
ie, is it "normal behaviour for canine nature", not what us humans regard "normal".
MY dog used to jump the fence when left alone for even shorter hours from yours.
Also, dogs are naturally "social animals", so he may be anxious on your behalf, and keen to "look for you".
I agree with the others, from what you describe of your garden, the better option is indoors.
In addition, you need to examine the legal aspect. Technically, a dog left alone in the garden can count under the DDA as "not under control of its owner".
Thus, if he continually escapes and wanders streets, you may have complaints from neighbourhood, and a visit from Dog Warden. You will definitely get fined everytime a Dog Warden picks him up.

Hi, thankfully he's not made it out onto the road, I have really great neighbours, who spend a lot of time in their gardens, and fortunately they spotted him and tied him up again.  I guess he'll have to go indoors again, but I thought I was doing the right thing by giving him the freedom of the garden.  If the silly sod could just behave, he'd have so much more fun in life!!

Chloe, I know what you're saying about re-homing.  Toby is very mad, but in all fairness to him he's calmed down over the six months we've had him.  He's simply very desperate to be with us, all the time, hence why he always jumps over the baby gate.  I don't think he sees it as being wrong, as he does it right infront of the OH, when he's stood right next the baby gate having just put him back in the kitchen :rolleyes:  Fortunately he doesn't do any damage to the house, just grabs the odd sock if he can.

He's such a lovely, loving dog, and it would crush me to re-home him.  I just wanted to check that I wasn't being cruel by expecting him to have as much time on his own as he does.

I have every sympathy with the baby gates - Willis just opens them and lets Phoebe in aswell!! :D

Have you seen the full height door gates...?

No.  Where could we get those from?  Mind, I feel like I'm turning my house in to a prison!!  I'd be happier if I could just bloody train him.  Has no-one got any other ways of 'training' to keep him from jumping?  If not then I'll be badgering you for details of that gate Chloe!!

Have you thought of employing a dog sitter.
They can either walk him at lunchtime, spend time at your house, or he could go to their house. Aassuming he is doggy friendly, as dog day cares - or 'creches' - have an assortment of different people's dog.
r rely on friends/relatives, or these very useful neighbourso of yours?

Also, are you feeding him meat and biscuits? This protein can keep energetic dog more aroused. Complete is better.

And is he given a nice long tiring walk before work, or is it a case of "geeing him up" thru games like chasing toys/sticks, running about, rough and tumble - in or out of the house?

Edited to say just noticed your comment if only you could train him?
Have you thought of doing just that - enrolling in a club?
Clicker would be best for him and the situation.

And do you make a big deal/fuss of him before you leave?

And once home, is he adequately mentally/physically stimulated?
How long will his walk be then? Have you tried clicker training?

And do you generally over-bond/over-fuss/over-attend to his needs?
This could be creating the situation whereby when you do go out he feels stressed and isolated.

Also, you could try herbal calmer/rescue remedy/DAP's/radio or TV on, leaving out an old item of your clothing with your scent.
You could also leave treat filled kongs hidden thruout the house.
Freeze or part freeze a couple, they last longer then.
Also, get old towels, put treats inside, tie lots very tight knots, and hide them around house too.

Edited to say just noticed your comment if only you could train him?
Have you thought of enrolling into a club. Would defintely be part of the solution. Clicker training would be best for him and the situation.

PS - re your trianing comment.
Have you enrolled into a club?
Clicker Training would be best for him and the situation.

whoops, didnt think original edit had worked there. hence re-posting paragraph.

Blimey Clutha, one at a time :D :D

This will sound awful, but there's no way I could afford a dog sitter.  Neighbours are good, but don't have the time to spend walking the dog for me.

He is on a dried chicken and veg food, and we've recently bought a lower protein one, it's about 19%.  (doesn't appear to have made much difference to him though!)

He is usually taken on a decent walk in a morning by my husband, and today apparently he was let off to run in the field.  He's no interest in toys etc when out on a walk, too interested in chasing birds.

Have tried clicker training, perhaps didn't persevere with it long enough.  We are starting to take him to an obedience class from next week.

Don't particularly make a fuss of him before leaving no, infact usually ignore him as advised by most books.

He has a nice long walk in the evening, and we usually do some training with him in the evening too.  We don't over fuss him in the evening, but I'll usually sit and give him a nice long stroke.

We tried him with kongs etc, but he has no interest whatsoever in any of his toys - unless we're sat with him, then he'll chew his bone happily for hours.

I know your having a hard time at the mo, but its nice to see that you really care about your dogs wellbeing whilst your at work, my friend, his sisters and his parents are all out of the house mon-fri by 8am and no one gets home till 530pm! they have a lab cross and a springer spaniel whos 2 and this dog is not toilet trained at all, wees all over the house and they just clear it up and dont do anything about it so the dog doesnt know any different and with no one there all week how could they possibly toilet train her? Their not bad people, very nice infact, but their dogs arnt trained at all! and i dont agree that a young dog like this should be on its own for all this time during the week, especially if no one has the time to train her, i know people have jobs and dogs and im probably going to get hit with a load of abuse lol but i just dont think that its fair on this dog, i believe if you have no time for a dog then you shouldnt have one let alone 2 :)

This is a difficult one.  You are obviously trying so hard and unfortunately you have a very energetic dog.

Most dogs like routine, they are creatures of habit and don't wind themselves up so much if it is the same routine every day.  If you give him a good off lead run before work and leave him indoors, you may find he will settle down for a sleep.

The child gate issue, does he clear it? or does he put his feet on the top to get over, if the latter, you could try double sided carpet tape, he won't like the feel of that on his paws.

Also, mine stopped jumping it when it was changed from on carpet to on a hard floor, they can't get a grip on a shiney floor.  Could you put a piece of laminate or similiar on the take off side?

Can't think of anything else at the moment.

Sandra

"We tried him with kongs etc, but he has no interest whatsoever in any of his toys - unless we're sat with him, then he'll chew his bone happily for hours"

What do you put in the kongs?

Also, how about the tied towel idea?

And have you considered Herbal Calmers/Rescue Remedy/DAP Diffusers, all for dogs left at home during the day. Plus radio/TV and scented old clothes?

Might be idea to pursue the clicker?

Personally I would never go out and leave my dogs outside, anything could happen, not just him escaping or having an accident but what about dog thieves?

Check in Argos for a 'dog gate' it is a lot bigger than a baby gate and was able to keep my agility dogs in so it should work for a little springer. I don't think it is the hours you work which are the problem, more the way you are handling him. I would try keeping him indoors while you are out and invest in the dog gate (think it was only about £30). Also, if being locked away while he is drying is causing that much chaos, I mean you must get soaked when you pick him up to put him back, why not use a hairdryer. 5 minutes later he is bone dry and can come back in with you.

Just an observation,  not critisism or anything: if a run would leave no space in the garden than to me it seems like a tiny garden and probably too small for him. Ours isn't enormous, about 90 feet long, perhaps 30 wide, but we have a run for the indoor cats attached to the house, 6 cat houses with runs and a large kennel with run, a storage shed, and still there is loads of space for the dogs to really *run* around and play. I find it is just a case of putting kennels etc in the right spot and make best use of the space. Bit like a jigsaw. :)

I don't leave my dogs outside even if we just nip down to ASDA 5 minutes away, because  dogs can be so clever. Certainly one of my Goldens learnt how to remove pieces of the fencing panels until there are large holes, we've had to replace several panels, and they also spend a lot of time trying to dig under the fence.  I think a clever dog given enough time will always find a way out.

Marianne

Thanks for your replies everyone. 

The garden isn't too small, (I'm not very good with metres etc) It's just that it's thin and long, so a run would take up most of the side of the garden, which is where we're hoping to put a path when the garden is sorted.  I know it sounds selfish, I can hear it when I'm typing it, but I don't want the dog to 'take over' the garden by having huge runs etc, his dog kennel is big enough as it is - you could fit four dogs in there!!

Re kongs, we've put dried treats in there, not yet tried peanut butter which I've heard is a good one. 

Think I'll have to invest in that bigger gate for the house.  He clears the gate completely when jumping over it.

What about installing a doggy door so he can go in and out when he feels like it,after you fix the fence,that is? I disagree with cooping him up in a room without a view,most dogs love a comfy position next to the front window to watch whats going on :)

Exactly how long is the morning and evening walks?

Chaining a dog outside is not only cruel but dangerous,can you imagine the damage he could do to himself if he got twisted and tangled?? And not to mention any sicko's who could jump the fence and do goodness knows what to the dog who cant defend himself because he's chained up :(

It sounds as iff your dog is not a straight forward one and may do better living with someone who can give him the time and attention that he so obviously craves. Keeley i'm not having a go at you,i'm just writing my honest feelings. It's so hard to have a lone dog and work at the same time.Mind i'm not suggesting getting another dog

My deep down honest feeling..... I would re-home him,he obviously is not a dog who likes being left alone,it also sounds as iff he is bored,and needs to jump the fence too find some stimulation.

Edited: Why dont you just dry him off with an old towel when his feet are wet or muddy ?Then you will have one less problem to deal with :)

Hi tippie,

It's not just his feet that are muddy, cos when they are I do dry them with a towel, I'm talking about when he's soaked through from having jumped in the river.  That was only an example though, I was just trying to get across the fact that I don't shut him in the kitchen for no reason, it's because I need to keep him away from the front room for whatever reason, ie, baby in the house, cleaning the hamsters etc etc.  Everyone needs a bit of 'time out' from their dog surely?  I couldn't cope if I had him following my every move and forever wanting fussing.  Besides, the fact that he's jumping over now has turned into a 'I'll do what I like' situation from the dog and I feel like I have no control over him, that's what bothers me.

His morning walk is usually about 20 minutes, evening can be anything up to 40 minutes (depending on how quickly he comes back from his roams - his recall isn't great either, not once he's spotted birds, but he's getting better with training).

I also agree that he would be better living with someone else, but the OH loves him so much he won't hear of me re-homing him.  So I feel like I've got to give him at least a month to try to prove that he can control the dog with a bit of authority, and to see if he can train him.  TBH his training is pretty good, he knows loads of commands, he's just bloody stubborn.  If he wants to be in the same room as us, then he will be, and sort of turning my house into a prison I just don't see any other way. :(

He does need lots of stimulation yes, but I'd be happy to give that to him if he didn't go so hyper whenever I spoke to him! :rolleyes:

Perhaps you should tell hubby that 20 minutes exercise in the morning and 40 in the evening is no where near enough for your breed of dog. He should be getting at LEAST 60 minutes free running in the am and again in the pm and more if you can give it.

My yorkies get more exercise than your dog per day AND they follow me around at home everywhere too,as do most dogs i know ;)

Well there are lots of people out there who don't even walk their dogs twice a day, so I think he's doing all right.  I can see that you are saying that short walks may add to our problems, but I don't think that a 40 minute walk in the evening is too short, particularly when you're saying that 1 hour would be enough, it's only 20 minutes difference, I can't see it turning Toby into a calmer dog TBH.  If my dog needs walking for 2 or so hours a day, then I really had better re-home him, because I'm sorry, but working full time does not leave enough time for two hour walks, I have other things going on in my life too.

Keeley i think you just answered your own question.

>I have other things going on in my life too.<

Bear in mind,i do not,my dogs and my family are my life :) So i'm probaly not the best person to give you unbiased advice :o

Pretty much everything in my life revolves around my dogs and my kids,but i wouldnt have it any other way :)

This is why many people say that full time workers should not have dogs, unless they can still give the dogs what it needs.

My friend until ehr baby was born got up every mornign at 5am to walk her dobermanns and I went with her to keep her company.  she had an hours journey to work also and was not home until 6pm.

Her other half would come home and take the dogs out again for a road walk, and then start on getting supper on for heer to finnish when she got home.

This was rain or shine for many years.  I would also go into her house to let her dogs out during the day.  when she had a pup then I went in to feed it and take it for little walks for  socialisation.  On the rare occasion they ahd an evening out they would get someon in to dog sit.

To have a happy dog you can't have yoru cake and eat it, it requires a freat deal of commitment, as does having children.

I certainly don't walk my dogs twice a day. I also happen to think that if you gave your dog an hours exercise he would just get fitter and want more and more (saw it with my friends Springers - she used to laugh because I said they were the most ungrateful dogs ever LOL). I have other things in my life too so I know exactly what you mean there :)

How old is he?

To be honest, to me it seems you are looking for the easiest option, like you are waiting for one of us to come up with a miracle cure :( Im not having a go either, it is purly what it sounds like.

Unless you invest in a dog run there is no way he can stay in the garden, especially tied up. My dog is soaked through almost on a regular basis and I rub him down with a towel then let him in doors- is only a bit of water.

If you need some time out, a crate is probably the best thing to use, it is escape proof, but make sure you put something inside it to keep him occupied. If he freaks out when u dissapear you can always put the crate in the room your in so he can see you :)

You need to realise that it will not be easy, I really do feel he should be rehomed, and if your partner wants him so bad, it should be him making the effort to train him, or organise some sort of help whilst you are both out. If he cannot afford a dog sitter then it really isnt fair on the dog, it is pure selfishness on his part IMHO.

Im sorry to sound harsh, these are just my feelings, I too have had A LOT of problems with my dog, but I also sacrificed alot so I could keep him.

>I really do feel he should be rehomed, and if your partner wants him so bad, it should be him making the effort to train him, or organise some sort of help whilst you are both out. If he cannot afford a dog sitter then it really isnt fair on the dog, it is pure selfishness on his part IMHO.<

This was exactly what i was trying to say,obviously quite unsuccesfully :o

Keeley, The evening walk is not so important as he has company for the rest of the day.  The morning one must have free running for at least 30 minutes, that doesn't include getting him to an area where he can free run and back.

I am sure if you put in the effort on the early one you will notice a difference.  I am at work too, but I get up early to allow my dogs a good 40 minutes free run before I go.  I know they will settle down and sleep after that.

In the evening he needs quality time with you, spend 10 minutes during the evening having a one to one training session with him, teach him tricks or hide his toy and let him find it, you don't have to keep it formal, just let him have controlled fun with you.

You cannot keep him chained in the yard, what happens when there is a thunderstorm, like the one going off as I type.

You can overcome these problems with effort from the whole family, but you have to be committed if he is going to become a well adjusted member of the family.

Thank you Sandra. I will certainly suggest that to Dave and we'll try it for a while.  We do train him for a good five or ten minutes in the evening, but although his mind is very sharp, he does tend to get bored and wander off.  I try to bring him back but then I don't have his full attention. 

This seems to have gone off of my original subject! I was simply asking for advice on how to train him to stop him from jumping over the gate (in the house, not the garden) and whether it was cruel to keep him when we are both working.  Most people have answered my questions and I thank you for that.  It's been very good advice, and I will indeed keep Toby indoors through the day, persevering with the training etc through the evening.  He is going to start his obedience classes next Saturday too.

Thanks everyone, Sharon

>He is going to start his obedience classes next Saturday too.

You will have loads of things to practice then :D

I don't want to start arguments here, I've accepted everyone's varying advice with good grace.  I know I'm not the 'perfect' dog owner, but then if only 'perfect dog owners' (my words, not yours) had dogs, there would be a lot of dogs waiting to be rescued.  I do what I can for Toby.  I didn't realise, and wasn't warned, what I was taking on with a dog of his breed.  The rescue centre simple passed him over without so much as a question.  Had I have been informed at the time of purchasing him, I may have re-thought the situation.

But, as it is, we now both love him, and sincerely don't want to re-home him.

Zoe, I have taken EVERYONE'S advice on board, agreeing that he could be kept inside, and that I should get a bigger gate.  How is that 'waiting for one of you to come up with a miracle cure'?  I came on here to ask for advice, not cures.  I appreciate that without a dog run Toby is, for the moment, unable to stay in the garden.  I will look at other options first, such as a higher fence.

My husband IS making every effort to train him, but it's not easy.  You've no idea what Toby is like (and that's not your fault obviously), and you only have what I'm saying to go by, but trust me, he is the mother of all energetic dogs.  He's fantastic in some ways, his knowledge of basic commands is excellent, I just wanted to know whether having him, being a springer x, whilst we're at full time work is cruel.

I don't think that not being able to afford a dog sitter is in any way selfish, and I don't thank you for that opinion of my husband.  He is the least selfish man I know.  When I put Toby in the house from now on, I myself will be going home at lunch time (I only work up the road thankfully) and will take Toby out for a walk.  Dog walkers are not needed.

And trust me, I've sacrificed loads for Toby, mainly my sanity :)

Forgot to say, we think he's about 18 months - 2 years old, not sure exactly.

Good I'm glad you will be home at lunch time, why couldnt you do that before? Sorry if you have already answered this but I cant find it. Breaking up his day may help.

And its not the fact that not being able to afford a sitter is selfish, but the fact you are willing to keep him in this situation because of it.

And ok, if you want me to answer your initial question, Yes, I do think it is cruel to keep a dog alone for this long, not for every dog no, but because 1. to me he sounds unhappy to want to find a way out and 2. anything could happen to him out there.

But now u are going to keep him in, good, and coming home at lunch is great. Hope things improve for you all.

That makes a big difference if you can come home lunchtime. 

Use this time to mentally stimulate him with tricks and training.  It will tire him out far more then a 10 minute walk around the block (No one has much time in their lunch hour I know).  It will be less stressful for you also.

Thanks for your good wishes.

But!!  I have to say that hardly anyone who's given their opinion on this thread (from what I can tell anyway) would have agreed with you that it's selfish to keep him through the day.  Lots of people have said it would be ok to keep him in the house, as lots of people also work full time.

I don't think it's selfish of me to want to keep Toby in this situation.  If I was selfish I certainly wouldn't be here now, asking for help and advice, I'd simply chain him up and leave him there. 

You say that it's cruel to keep him because he 'sounds unhappy to want to find a way out' but at least two people during this thread have told me that 'most dogs' would try to escape from a garden, so I don't think that's anything to do with his breed, or him being unhappy, I think it's him being a pain in the behind and wanting to chase birds.  Slightly bored perhaps, but then that's his choice - he's given tons of toys to play with.  You wouldn't give a baby the amount of attention Toby is demanding at the minute - even with a child you could expect them to sleep at some point, play with their toys or be tired after a 2 mile bike ride or something similar.  He's quite unique I'm afraid.

Firstly Keeley, I have to say that you have your work cut out, but you are trying, which is more than some do.

When I had my first Lab he came to work with me but had SO much energy it was really difficult to contain. He had at least 2 hours excercise but was still a love wire. I found that making him focus was much more tiring for him than just running around, so I would suggest that you teach him some retrieving. If you have your own field this would be easy(er), as once he has the hang of it you can go out and 'plant' the dummies then come back to get him and his excercise is to follow your signals to find them. My betting is that 20 minutes of this will be worth about an hours running round like a looney :D

But above all dont give up, he will calm down. Oh and a word of warning about the fence, same lab got his leg through a link fence and then panicked. To this day I dont know how he didnt break it, but I ended up covered in brusies as I tried to disentangle him.