Please help me!!!!!

[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.

[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.