Is there a way of exercising the puppy
By moondance61
@moondance61 (164)
August 23, 2009 9:20am CST
Help me please, Toby, the springer spaniel pup is now nearly 10 weeks old. He has had his first injection but is unable to go out for a proper walk until he is 13 weeks old. Is there any way in which I can exercise the puppy apart from letting him play out in my postage stamp of a back garden. The puppy is starting to drive my husband, our children and myself a little mad with his biting, barking and general naughty behaviour. Once he has had his 2nd injection at twelve weeks I have been told by the vet I must wait yet another week but then I am thinking of taking him out twice a day for 1/2 hour at first, I don't want to over exercise him. What do you think?
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2 responses
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
23 Aug 09
What about jumping? Teach him to jump through a hoop or over a footstool or something. It will keep his mind busy as well as his body. Start teaching him hand signals for when he's old and deaf--sit, stay, go, etc.
If the barking is driving you nuts, put some pennies in a coffee can and rattle it while saying "NO BARK!" Then praise him when he stops. Worked in less than three hours with my dog, Cookie. Humane but effective.
You must keep poor Toby busy!! His behavior will get better if his mind and body are busy. Training is good for both of you.
Another good, fun activity is to get his favorite toy and toss it back and forth between two people seated on the floor. Let him get it once in awhile to keep him working!
Get a bully stick. They sell them here at PetsMart. They're about 2.5-3 feet long and I when I buy them there I saw them in 6" pieces. They'll keep him busy for hours. Or you can go to bestbullysticks.com-I'll not include my referral so as to keep this discussion alive!-and buy them cheaper. Get the lightly smoked ones. They're all natural treats that are actually nutritious and dogs love them!
@moondance61 (164)
•
23 Aug 09
Hiya dragon54u, Thank you for such an information packed response. I am doing the training, would you believe he is just about house trained,touch wood, and as we did the training with treats, he also sits now, on command. I am not bragging or saying how clever I am, just saying how useful training with treats is. Anyway, I am sure you are right, I should be exercising his mind as well as his body.
tdemex