Please help me!!!!!

[lolli94]

Lolli and Buddy, my two English Springer Spaniels, are both about 1 1/2 yrs old. They are really energetic and we live on about two acres of land. They live outside and I use Invisible Fence. Overnight they destroy everything...and I mean everything. Garden hoses, toys, anything that gets left in their reach. So, I solved that problem and I kennel them at night. This morning my mom told me that they started digging at the side of the house during the day when I'm at work. They dug out the pipe made to direct rain water away from the house and they pulled insulation away from the side of the house.Knowing them, they'll probably start on the siding next:( If our landlord sees this, I may have to part with my dogs, and I can't do that! I know they are bored. They don't do this when I am home. Please, any suggestions on how to stop them and how to keep them from being bored! Thanks

[Snowdrops]

First... consider doing things that will occupy their minds ! Kongs stuffed with peanut butter and frozen .... they take time to work through. There are a zillion things you can do to help them in this way. Toys that make them think etc....

Also.. consider constructing a proper fenced and floored dog run. The landlord isnt being picky... he wants his property in decent order.

Springer Spaniels are intense working dogs... (when you did your research before getting them you will have realised that) they cant just be 'left' they need occupation and interest. You are also going to have to put some time and re training in . This is a habit they have obviously got used to be able to doing (you said said they have been destroying garden stuff).

Start from square one with training... add alot of exercise.... ALOT ! Tired dogs are happy Furs !

You can turn this around !

Good Luck !

[Karen]

How much exercise do they get every day? What mental stimulation do they get? They need more to keep their minds and bodies occupied. Do they have toys they can play with instead of finding things to do? How long are they left alone each day? What is your daily routine with them?

[lolli94]

Thanks! I live at home with my family; I have 7 siblings that are home all day with my mom. People are in and out of the house all day long, except now that school started they are inside more(They are home schooled). I usually let the dogs out of their kennel around 8 in the morning and they run around chasing birds before I feed them. I do have the option of kenneling them while I am at work(the kennel is about 6 by 8 feet), but being Springers, they will only be bored and I can't do that to them. Yeah, I knew what I was getting when I decided on a Springer :) Our dogs have always lived outside and entertained themselves a lot of the time, but since we moved to this house there just isn't much for them to do. I am considering agility, do you know where I could get a set?

[Snowdrops]

They are bored to destruction... literally ! You have to walk them... at least 1 hour hard exercise... preferably 2 hours a day. They are not "entertain themselves" dogs. No dog is. You need to work with them.. re train them ,school them. Agility is a great idea. many parts of the sets you can make yourself. EBay is also a good source.

Get training books from the Library... KNOW what they need !

But bottom line is.. these are your dogs and you are going to need to work with them and provide them with stimulous and exercise.

Again.... Good Luck.. but you are going to need to change your life with them to have happy calm dogs. You CAN do this. :)

[Husky_mom]

snowdrops beat me to it.. thy are beyond bored.. a bored dog. needless to say a super energetic one will become destructive.. as that's the only way they can get rid of the energy accumulation..

dogs do entertain themselves with each other.. but for like 5 minutes.. and that in no way makes up for the exercise they need to reaaaally be tired and non destructive..

take them for a loooong run.. like snowdrops said 1-2 hrs.. hop on a bike and have them run next to you with a leash or a spring thingy.. and when left alone give them plenty of mental stimulation toys so they keep their mind occupied in something.. that also tires them

[Karen]

Could you enlist your siblings to help exercise them? Have someone take them for a good long walk/run mid-day, or throw a ball for them for a while, etc? You can even make your own sort of agility set-up, and maybe enlist a sibling or two to help with that, and that will get them more invested in the dogs' lives and give the dogs more fun times! Even training to do "tricks" on command is good mental stimulation, and anyone can do that!

[lolli94]

Thanks! I will do that. I'm just not used to such energetic dogs, these are my first Springers and before that we've had low energy dogs. At our old house we had a farm across the road from us and a pond on our property. Here we have neither and Indiana summers are just too hot to do much. Thankfully it has cooled down now so I can do fun stuff with them outside. I love them and can't bear the thought of parting with them, so I'm really grateful for your suggestions. I am also thinking of getting a small kid pool for them to play in.

[Freedom]

It does sound like these 2 dogs are bored and full of energy. Do they get walked at all? They need a walk DAILY! I walk my small dogs for 2 miles per day, yours need much more activity. They also need work, a job to do.l Agility would be a great way to go, have you found a place which offers classes? I have my Willy in agility and will start my Riley girl soon too. Willy has been in classes for 18 months and loves it SO much!

[mon]

Kinda crossed my mind too but lolli94 is reaching out for help and seems to be very open to any suggestions. Therefore, I believe the situation is far from hopeless and a few changes and a couple tweaks could make all the difference in the world in their behavior and quality of life. Big responsibility, but there's room for a learning curve....right?

[Snowdrops]

I too wondered as the young lady said she had researched this breed. BUT... what is done is done.. and as said... with some hard thinking and hard work this situation can be turned around.

Lolli clearly loves these dogs.. and with a bit more learning (library... or on line) and alot more exercise and fun and games she can get the dogs on a really good learning curve with her !

I also understand the lack of being able to work hard in the heat.. (its been 120F + here some days) but if she can get up EARLY and do a good hour of exercise with them , then leave them with some "brain games" and put in another hour come dusk... and with the weather cooling a bit now.... she CAN make this work. Also.... do more than that at weekends if possible. These dogs have had a long time to learn bad habits.. they have to UNlearn those with the reward being occupied minds and tired bodies !

The fact she is reaching out for help when she knows this is a bit of a mess shows she cares to try very hard to DO something about it all.

[lolli94]

My dogs are my life!!!! I adore them and I spend time every day just sitting down and cuddling or playing. I work 3 days a week and that's when they get into mischief. I got Lolli when I had lots of time for her and tons of room for her to play. I got Buddy as a companion for her under the same circumstances almost a year later. We just moved and I am trying to figure this out. I researched Springers for a long time before getting one. They get attention often every day, its just mornings when everybody is busy with school that they get little attention. Thanks to those of you who understand.

[wolf_Q]

Is there a reason they can't be allowed indoors? I know you said you pay attention to them and all but you don't realize how much attention and interaction can be had just in day to day life of being allowed in the house and part of the activities. I just do not understand "outside dogs" not trying to be offensive but I don't get having a dog and not letting them indoors at all.

[lolli94]

Someday they will be house dogs. :) My mom and my landlord won't allow it right now.

[Snowdrops]

Lolli... slow down...

Ok.. you have had alot of advice... now... sit down... take paper and pen... and work out a routine.

You want to make it right... no-one here doubts that... no-one...

There are lots of simple things you can do to make it alot easier and better for them and you.. and that wont cost alot of money.

SO.... first step... sit and prepare a plan.... and the very 1st thing on that plan that can make a difference is exercise... and mind games.. and teaching a few tricks.

Here are some links... not looked much at them.. but they willl give you a start.

http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2006/02/stuff_this_in_a_kong.php

http://www.kongstuffing.com/?p=263

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dog-tricks-list-of-dog-tricks.html

List
Exercise
Games and Tricks to make them THINK
MORE Exercise !

Thats a good start... and you can start today.

[lolli94]

Thank you! And I'm sorry, you all do have great advice,I just felt like some of y'all were upset at me and I do adore my dogs...I just wanted some help with a problem I never encountered before. I will definitely start with more exercise; and thanks snowdrops...I checked out those websites and I love the ideas. My dogs learn tricks really fast and they love it so I will try some of those. Thank you so much!

Any ideas for what to use for a homemade agility set?

[Snowdrops]

Lolli...

What you can't make try eBay for.. and other sites like Amazon . You may have to save up.. but its worth it for happy dogs.

MUCH you can make yourself... jumps and Dog walks and Pause Tables and weave poles ... the only real problem one is the tunnel/shute.. but you can buy that seperately.

This is one set you could save for.. but honestly... make what you can and buy a shute

Agility set.
http://www.affordableagility.com/agilityinbag.htm

Tunnel/shutes at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=agility%20tunnels&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aagility%20tunnels&page=1

Ok... you have a computer... do your research for stuff.. compare prices... but you should be able to make alot ! You arent looking for competition grade... just fun SAFE stuff ...

Below is a few homemade directions too !!

"A" Frame

This piece will be heavy so make sure you know where you want it.

You'll need 2 pieces of plywood 3/4 inch thick if possible. It would be best to frame this on the underside for stability with 2x4's or 1x2's.

The contact side will need thin slats running across at aprox. 12 inches apart for gripping. These slats will need to have the sharp edges sanded smooth to avoid injury.

The surface will need to be painted with a flat paint (glossy is too slick) and a fine sand between coats. That is paint your board and cover the paint with generous layer of sand while still wet. Let dry and the excess sand will come off easily. Repeat that process. You want the contact sides to have as much traction as possible.

Join the 2 pieces of painted plywood with strong hinges. On the inside of the frame, hooks and chains can be used on both sides as a "stop" so the frame only opens as far as the chain allows.

You will need to "cover" the very top where it hinges with a carpet strip or something simular so toes and paws aren't caught in the "fold".


Dog Walk

You will need 3 planks, 12 inches wide, 2 inches think and I think they come 10 or 12 feet long.

Your base can be made from sawhorses, utility ladders such as you find in hardware stores that fold in a variety of ways, up-side-down metal trash cans, whatever you find that is the right height for you and stable. Some bases are constructed from PVC. I intend on using 2 plastic 55 gallon barrels/drums and fill them half way with water to give the lower portion weight, making them hard to tip over.

As with the A Frame, the incline and decline planks will need slats. Paint and apply sand in layers as described in the A Frame to all the planks on the contact sides.

Connect the planks together with hinges on the underside. Here you may be able to find removable pin hinges for easier assembly, and disassembly for moving or storage.

As with the A Frame, the "folds" will have to be covered or filled to avoid toe/paw injury if there is a significant gap. By trimming the ends at an angle the gap can be avoided when assembled


Home Made Weave Poles

White drainage pipes from any DIY store;
brush handle to fit inside pipe cut into approx 2" at one end and 3" at other;
six inch nails (for the ground spikes);
coloured electricians tape (mum did that bit) - or paint

cut pipes into 2'6" lengths;
knock 6" nail into 3" piece of wood;
fit into one end of pipe and screw it;
get the 2" piece of wood and fit in other end of pipe and screw it;
JOB DONE!

[lolli94]

Thanks so much! I will do that. Last night when I got home from work I took them each on a 1/2 mile bike ride. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Lolli's newly learned 'no pull' applies to a bicycle too. I would have gone further but I discovered that both my bikes have flat tires :( Then we worked on some trick training and they did well. Thanks so much!

[Snowdrops]

Wonderful start !!

Hoping you can get the tyres fixed and do a bit more daily with them.. you will see a difference if you work to this plan !

Keep a Diary. It will also let you see the good days and the improvements and the "what to change " things !

Well Done Lolli!! You CAN do this !!

[MoonandBean]

Really enjoyed reading this thread. Snowdrops is a dear friend of mine and it's obvious she will be a wonderful addition to our PT (pet talk) family :love:

[lolli94]

:) Yeah...thanks for all the support and wonderful advice Snowdrops!

[Snowdrops]

Wavessss to Moon and Bean and Sunny !

"BLUSH" !!!

Mostly its just common sense... but when you get overwhelmed with a situation as Lolli was its hard to see the wood for the trees.

Just needs an outside look to shake the cobwebs off.

Lolli.. you have beautiful dogs... and I know you love them. This isnt going to be easy to work this out.. but it CAN be done. You will be alot less stressed... your dogs will be tired and happy and they wont be getting in trouble...

Also... no having to explain to the Landlord !!

Let us know how you are doing... there will be good and bad days... keep that Diary I suggested !

Love the pic of the dogs !

[lolli94]

:) Thanks!