Feeling stuck.

[Nikki & Charlie]

Since Charlie is only 9 weeks, I can't take him for walks outside yet or do much with him unless we are in the backyard where it's safe from other dogs. I'm feeling stuck in terms of what to do to keep him busy. When we go outside in the backyard, sometimes he'll enjoy playing with his ball but other times it's like he has more interest in nipping at my ankles and feet then his toys.

I don't want to bring him in the basement yet Ito play because he's still getting the hang of going out in the backyard to do his "business" and I don't want to confuse him by bringing him down there where he won't see the patio door.

I try to do some tricks with him and train him to keep him focused but his attention span is short and he gets distracted after a couple minutes.

I don't know what else to do with him to take out his energy. He seems to like playing indoors .. But I need to buy him new toys? What kind of things did you guys do with your puppy to release his energy?

[Tracey & Spike]

The ankle nipping doesn't last long. Spike still likes to come up behind me and "herd" me but if I stop short and tell him to wait he backs off.

Trick training is FANTASTIC. Work on sit's, downs, and high fives. Just do it in little steps and have a lot of treats ready. Puppy's attention spans are short. However training sessions.. even for 5 mins will tire him out more than chasing him around the house.

Toys did help us get through the confinement weeks. His favorites were and still are his kong and a nylabone dinosaur. He also has a couple of stuffies that he tosses around or should I say.. tries to kill...

Hang in there.. the days of being housebound are so short. It seems long but it's not. They grow so very fast! Spike turned 6mths yesterday and I'm wondering where the time went

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

One of Yarrow's favorite toys was her hol-e-roller.  We could roll it, toss it, and use it as a tug toy.  It also is made of pure rubber, so safe and good for teething.   I also gave her an old towel and we would play tug with it.  If pups could stay with their litter mates for a couple weeks longer they'd get most of that nippy, puppy wrestling stuff out of their systems and learn from each other how much is too much.  ...but that's not how it is generally. 

Tracey's right about how quickly is goes by.  Yarrow turned 9 months old on Tuesday and she's so grown up already.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

And Deb, Yarrow is a doll!

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

Check out local training facilities in your area, many have "puppy parties" designed for puppies who haven't gotten all their shots yet. I would also consult with your vet to make sure you need to wait - the "wait until 16 weeks" thing is sort of outdated, most vets I know say the puppy is fine to take out in public after its second round of shots. You just can't take them to the dog park (which, in my opinion, you shouldn't take a puppy to anyway until they're over a year old) and have to make sure they don't come into contact with the feces of another dog. Here's an article from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior regarding it: http://avsabonline.org/uploads/position_statements/puppy_socializat... 

[Itims]

We did the following things.. not sure if its a great idea or not but you can decide.

1. Checked parvo stats for our area (vets know this usually) and started taking her for walks in the neighborhood after she got her second shot i.e. after 12 weeks but before the generally recommended 16 weeks. Maybe it was at 13 or 14 weeks. I don't remember anymore. Most people will advise you against this so its up to you.

2. Doggy play dates at home with another friend who had a new puppy.

3. The 'food game' - I would sit in one corner of our living room and throw a piece of food in the furthest corner and let Biba chase after it and then call her back for 1 piece from my hand then throw another piece. This might help her learn to 'come' We have white stone floors so she could both hear and see the pieces land.

4. Find it game. Similar to above but throw the food around her and ask her to 'find it'. 

5. Tug of war - its pretty tiring but not good for dogs that are too dominating naturally. Ours is very submissive so we didn't have an issue.

6. Home Depot and the Apple store both let you bring dogs in. I don't know if it would be infested with Parvo but something to think about. 

7. Fetch at home- same as the food game but with a ball. 

Good luck! It feels like a lot but the house arrest will pass.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

We played a lot of 'hall ball', where the doodles would fetch and retrieve balls. Both loved that game. Oscar had Lucy (3 yrs older) to take out a lot of his excess energy as they played together a lot. I also did a lot of short training sessions, walking around the house on leash, heeling, sitting, waiting and staying. All while using high value treats. Its amazing what you can teach a puppy when they're that young. We also did indoor socializing with unusual objects (for instance, open umbrellas, wearing hats of different shapes and sizes, etc.) and worked on motor skills by making an indoor obstacle course (a wood ladder placed flat on the floor for the puppy to walk through, a ramp made by securing boards to a large box for the puppy to walk up and over, and a broom raised a few inches off the floor for puppy to jump over). We kept them pretty busy those early weeks before they got the 'all clear' to go outside in public areas. We also took them to weekly 1-hr 'puppy romps', put on by a local doggy day care for all puppies ages 10 weeks and up (to 6 mos.). They were invaluable for getting the puppies well socialized to other puppies before 16 weeks. Good luck!

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Hi Nikki, we are in the same boat of needing to entertain so here is what has been working for us...Ice cubes (loads of fun!), braided bully sticks (a lifesaver), chew toys, tennis ball and fetch, walks around the yard, short rides in the car, and we are going to try holding him in front of local store for socialization this wkend. My lil guy has had two shots so if I need to place him down on pavement if need be, I won't beat myself up about it. Did that today when I introduced him to a town worker - friendly guy in uniform, haha... Have fun!!

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

Yes, braided bully sticks. I forgot about those lifesavers. But you have to be careful, one brand gave Yarrow the runs.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Please check with your Vet for his recommendations . If you do a search above, putting in Parvo, you will see other members horror stories.. I
Enzo has come everywhere with me since the day she came home at 8 weeks. Socialization can be done in many places and their feet never have to hit the ground.
As for exercise at home...balls, frisbees, swimming...a kiddy pool is great for little ones! In the house, Enzo learned the command " find it". Great training opportunities incorporated into fun. Sit stays, down stays, while you hide a favorite toy. Start out easy..in fact let her see you hide it and then release her to " find it". It's fun to watch the thought process...at first they will always go to the last hindi g place. Good luck...and not too worry...the time of confinement will pass quickly. We actually never even felt " confined"

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Rosemary, did you just hold her? I am worried mine will get wiggly and I will lose hold/he will need to ground. I was thinking of bringing something like a laundry basket for him to sit in, but that looks a bit kooky. Please lmk any suggestions on how to socialize outside without their feet touching the ground? Thx!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Cindy....we did! Carried her everywhere. I thought about a stroller type thing, and actually borrowed one from a friend, but Enz wanted nothing to do with it. She was very comfortable in our arms and we soon figured out which positions worked best. I think her favorite was slung over my shoulder with her facing backwards. Granted, towards the end, it got a little tough. I think I developed some pretty good arm muscles! ;)
As I mentioned, she went everywhere with us. Lowes, Home Depot, numerous day trips to sights here in San Diego Diego. She still continues to go everywhere with us and she fears nothing. People, cars, motorcycles....she never even looks when a forklift passes at one of the hardware stores. She is very accustomed to any and all of these noises, sights, sounds. People can't help but pet these guys...so men...women, kids, she has been socialized with them all. And she loves the attention! It's provides great training opportunities on manners...what is acceptable and what is not. All with her feet never touching the ground! ;)

[Kristen and Chewbacca (Chewy)]

Thank you Ro! I remember you giving me this advice a few months ago and it's been so helpful over the past week (he's 9 weeks). We have gone to Home Depot, EZStorage (we're moving), our local mom and pop pet store, our favorite frozen yogurt place (outside), numerous car rides, and a play date with my friend and her toddlers. Chewy's done so well--timid at first, but then he relaxes in my arms and is friendly to people. Now that I'm experiencing it, I realize firsthand the importance of exposing them to so much during this short period of time. Looking forward to many more adventures!