Play fighting from the time we get home from work until bed...HELP.

[Puppy Madness]

Oh, Doodlekisses.  I must admit that I was overly confident in our raising two doodles at the same time, from the same litter.  I love the little puff balls, but I'm at a loss for what to do about the play fighting.  They aren't vicious or destructive, but they are constantly jumping on each other, nipping (but not biting) at each other, bumping into things...and the best part, they never stop barking.  Ever.  I pray every day that 8:30pm will roll around quickly so I can get them in their crates and I can begin my evening.  We wake up at 5:00am, so that's why they go to bed so early.

Basically, I just want to know if anyone else deals with this, and if so, what helps you??  We give them bully sticks but those only last so long and I don't want to placate them with treats constantly.  On days where they get lots of exercise, they are little angels.  They also love napping together and eating their treats next to each other. 

Important points:

1. They are walked in the morning before we go to work.

2. They each get walked for 30 mins midday.

3. They get another walk after we get home from work.

4. We don't have a fenced in yard.  We rent our home.

5. The nearest dog park is 30 minutes away.  We've looked for other places that are fenced in and dog friendly, but can't find any in our area. 

6. They are trained on sit, stay, down, but have trouble with the stay.

Thanks for your help!!!!

[Pilar, Sophie & Rico]

I have a 5 & 15 month old puppies and they love to do the same. What I do is that when they get carried away with the barking and playing rough I separate them. My house is basically divided with child gates and each get their own side. It calms them down and they can each chew on their chews. I recently fenced in and they go out there and start barking like crazy chasing each other! But they still keep just enough energy to do the same inside.

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

My girls really rough house to the point people think they are fighting and if they are in motion they have dumped people without even knowing it!  It seems however they really only do this when I'm home or around them?  My mom is with them all day and they just lay around (for the most part) but boy when I come home it's a wild freight train loose in the house!  I think I've seen others call it zoomies?  My 65# girl richochets off the couch as they tear through the house so there is a dent line in the wall!  I drive about 40 minutes to our local dog park twice a week minimum and let them run wild for several hours, of course as soon as we get home my Sassparilla grabs a toy and we play until bedtime!  I'm thankful they know the bedroom as the quiet area!  You didn't mention their ages but I would say if they are under three they are gonna have lots of energy so patience is the key word!  They will mellow eventually if that helps?

Here's a picture of them playing!  YEP they are just playing!  No animals or humans were hurt during this play session!  Here we had them on long leads at the lake (cows were close by and they are not "STAY" trained yet).  That might be an idea for your yard - these are a 30' lead from Walmart (cheap) and 50' lead (used for horses).

[Lynda Kamrath]

I definitely know what you are talking about.  My dogs go crazy when I get home, even though my husband has been home with them all day.  They really want to go for a walk and I usually take them.  However, we have a big back area with their dog run that is all fenced and they can spend as much time as they like outdoors.  Something that has worked for me and you might try is having a squirt bottle handy.  I just have water in mine and I have only squirted Harpo a couple of times, but when he sees me pick up the bottle, he calms right down.  Then I wait at the back door until they are calm before I let them go outside.  I think you have realized that doodles are high energy dogs and require a lot of exercise.  Use that to your advantage and take them out frequently for their exercise and your own.  I walk my dogs about three miles three times a week while my husband is biking.  Sometimes I take them also on bike tow leashes (see my photos - page 2).  It has been a great exercise excuse for me - I need it and so do they.  Try it, you will like it, and good luck with finding a new dog-friendly area for living with your family.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Sound like probably they just need more exercise.  Lola is 11 months and I can tell you, she would be jumping out of her skin without quite a bit more exercise than what you describe above.  I would say on average she requires two 30-minute walks per day and one to two hours running free and playing with other dogs.  On some days some of that comes in other forms - like running with me, swimming or retrieving.  Usually about 400 - 500 points or so on the Tagg Pet Tracker.  And never underestimate the value of intellectual exercise.  Sometimes training new behaviors and exposure to new situations does more than physical exercise.

[Bob Johnston]

I'm not sure this would help but would you be able to put up a temporary dog run in the yard. something like this http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/lancefield/pet-products/portable-dog... It would at least give you a break inside and they can be outside with little supervision. Them being litter mates might make it harder to calm them down since this is how they have always played since birth. You can also try putting their leashes on in the house and teaching them relax though it will require 2 people so they are not trying to relax next to each other.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Also, if all else fails you can have them run on a treadmill, if you have one.

[KLN]

I'm so sorry! I feel your pain! Up until about a month ago, Finley would not stop! I have an older dog (8) and they played nonstop...mostly initiated by Finn. It has really slowed down so hopefully it will for you too! The novelty with my 8 yr old has worn off....what I fear for you is that since they are both puppies and from the same litter they are egging each other on. :(. I know this doesn't help "right now" but it will get better, I promise. Puppies are so much harder than we remember. I had many days where I thought "what have I done, we had such a quiet life", lol!

The only thing I can think of to help is more exercise. You are giving them a lot (kudos to you because a lot of people don't take the time you are to exercise their puppies) but maybe they are just overly hyper and need even more? I know that makes it hard on you, especially since you are already doing so much. I couldn't believe how much play time and exercise Finn needed some days as a puppy! Every time he would do something mischievous I knew it wasn't him, it was me because I hadn't walked or played with him enough that day. Usually if you can wear them out they will lay down and nap for a bit but I have seen dogs that never quit...lets hope those aren't your two! Good luck!!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I raised litermates for 5 years so I'm completely familiar with what you are experiencing.  If I were you I would try to get a handle on the running in the house.  Right now it isn't bad, but when they are both larger they will be able to knock over a sofa or chair and could really do some damage to themselves or the furniture.  Our trainer suggested that to us when our girls were smaller.  The only suggestions I would have other than the exercise mentioned (to which I completely agree) is possibly day care.  Most dogs that come home from daycare are exhausted.  I would also suggest training classes because that is another way to exhaust them.  We used gated areas in the house.  We turned one room into the girls room.  For some reason that was their calm space.  They slept there at night so maybe that is why.  If they were getting too crazy we just sent them to their room for a little bit of time out and it calmed them right down.  We lost one of our litermates and now have a new 4.5 month old puppy and a 5 year old doodle.  The play is just as crazy with the two of them except one is 80 lbs and one is 30 lbs.  Makes me really nervous.  As a matter of fact while typing this they were getting crazy.  I brought both of them into their room for a little time out and they are now both laying quietly.