Please help me!!!!!

[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/200..._in_a_kong.php

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

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/dog-t...og-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&keyw...tunnels&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!