Hi all,

I'm back with another question!  When my puppy is awake in the house and out in the garden with me, should I be playing with her constantly?  I do play with her a lot to give her exercise, as we're not allowed out walking for another 2 weeks.  But, should I be playing/giving constant attention the whole time she's awake?  I do have 3 kids (14, 10 and 9 years) who also need some of my attention.  Tessie is very well loved by all of us and has lots of cuddles and play times.  But should it be constant?

Helen x

(ps. Just posted on the feeding board too with yet another question!)

No, you don't need to play with her constantly :)

You can use some (or all) of you play sessions with her, as training time. Fun, short sessions, really help with bonding, training and giving mental stimulation (helps elliviate boredom and the bad habbits born out of boredom such as chewing things they shouldn't).

Before my pup was allowed to go out for walks, I used to walk him around the garden on his lead, I wouldn't take a step if he pulled, but as soon as the lead was slack I would walk & he would get loads of praise or a treat. He found it great fun and it really helped with lead training (I probably looked like an idiot to the neighbours though!!!)

Playing with a toy/ball is a perfect opportunity to practice drop/give. All of the things you wish to teach her can be made into fun games that she will enjoy. It's suprising how quick they learn if you keep things fun and stop before they get bored. It does tire them out mentally too, so they are much more happy afterwards to play on thier own with a chew bone/sqeeky toy.

It's also great to get the kids envolved with teaching her, but they have to use the same commands as you do, or poor pup just ends up totally confused. My kids think its brilliant to be able to take the pup in the garden & practice sit, stay, come with him - it keeps the kids & the pup out of trouble :)

We too have the same issue. When I am not playing with him he has this habit of laying down right in front of me and looking at me as if he is the most depressed puppy in the whole world (Drama Queen !) :-)

Just to add to mastifflovers advice, I don't play with my pups all the time, they do actually enjoy exploring the house garden, I once watched a 12 week old pup play alone for almost 30 mins with all things a garden brush, he had a fab time whilst I was preparing dinner, dragging it all over the patio. :-D

As long as your pup is occupied she will not need your attention all of the time.............. however I do have 3 kids (14, 10 and 9 years) who also need some of my attention.  Of course they do, but I never, ever leave a young pup unattended when it is awake, that is the only thing you will still need to be watchful even if you have other distractions, I used to tend to work around the pup sleeping, or if you are really busy (doing homework etc :-) ) make sure your pup is in a safe place with something interesting to play with, yours may well be fascinated by a brush too.

But pups absolutely love to explore and always find something to occupy them. :-)

That's so funny, Carrington.  I just spent the last two days gardening whilst outside with Tessie, and funnily enough, she spent over an hour each day chasing the sweeping brush every time I tried to tidy up!!  Also had a great time diving in the hedge cuttings and making a den. So funny!

I never, ever leave a young pup unattended when it is awake

I also never leave her unattended, even when the kids need attention.  She quite often sits on my feet whilst I'm cooking! Or plays with the kids.  I was more concerned about leaving her (in her half awake/asleep state) in the kitchen whilst I attend to washing etc.  However, I have today discovered the massive benefits of 'kong'.  I pressed a little chicken into the gaps and kept her occupied for 30 mins whilst I did some homework with kids and got a load of washing in. Fab!

Your advice really is much appreciated and gratefully received.

Thanks

Helen x

I just spent the last two days gardening whilst outside with Tessie, and funnily enough, she spent over an hour each day chasing the sweeping brush every time I tried to tidy up!!

Just goes to show we spend all that money on toys, we should all just give them a brush and a cardboard box. :-D When will we learn.

And yes, Kongs are lifesavers.

Milo has hours of fun getting a plant pot stuck on his head (on purpose) and then throwing it round the garden :-)!!

Dylan, when he was a pup used to stick his nose in a bucket of water and blow bubbles!!  I've never seen anything like it before or since!!!

Sarah.