Comments on: Sleep Walking Dog? http://dogblog.8pawsup.com/2008/04/sleep-walking-dog.html The world through the lives of two chocolate Labrador Retrievers. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:32:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Shannon http://dogblog.8pawsup.com/2008/04/sleep-walking-dog.html#comment-303 Shannon Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:59:00 +0000 http://www.8pawsup.com/dogblog/?p=342#comment-303 Kate,<br/><br/>Each Lab is different on when they can be allowed out of the crate unsupervised. My experience has shown that you should give little tests here and there to see where your pup stands. For us, we first tried them in the house alone while we were doing yard work and would check on them every 15 minutes. After being able to go some time without any damage, then we would try short outings such as food shopping. If that worked, would continue that for time until we felt safe. Then extended the time and so on.<br/><br/>The thing you need to remember is that being allowed to do anything for a dog is a privilege and if they abuse it, then it gets taken away. You keep going through this until they prove that they will not abuse it and you will know (and feel at peace) when the time comes that you can leave Diesel out all day. :)<br/><br/>Hope that helps!<br/>Shannon<br/><br/>PS - Yes, I have turned into somewhat of a Dr. Labby but I don’t mind at all. Once upon a time I was new to the Lab breed as well and wish I had a "mentor" of sorts to explain things to me rather then me finding out the hard way. *wink* Kate,

Each Lab is different on when they can be allowed out of the crate unsupervised. My experience has shown that you should give little tests here and there to see where your pup stands. For us, we first tried them in the house alone while we were doing yard work and would check on them every 15 minutes. After being able to go some time without any damage, then we would try short outings such as food shopping. If that worked, would continue that for time until we felt safe. Then extended the time and so on.

The thing you need to remember is that being allowed to do anything for a dog is a privilege and if they abuse it, then it gets taken away. You keep going through this until they prove that they will not abuse it and you will know (and feel at peace) when the time comes that you can leave Diesel out all day. :)

Hope that helps!
Shannon

PS – Yes, I have turned into somewhat of a Dr. Labby but I don’t mind at all. Once upon a time I was new to the Lab breed as well and wish I had a “mentor” of sorts to explain things to me rather then me finding out the hard way. *wink*

]]> By: Turbo the Sibe http://dogblog.8pawsup.com/2008/04/sleep-walking-dog.html#comment-298 Turbo the Sibe Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:50:00 +0000 http://www.8pawsup.com/dogblog/?p=342#comment-298 Your blog is very interesting! Your blog is very interesting!

]]> By: Kate http://dogblog.8pawsup.com/2008/04/sleep-walking-dog.html#comment-297 Kate Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:45:00 +0000 http://www.8pawsup.com/dogblog/?p=342#comment-297 Hi Shannon,<br/>I think it's great that you are able to answer everyone's questions about Labs (although I'm sure your intent for this site was not to become a "dear abby" type column!) Anyway, I've got a question for you - when is a lab old enough to be left alone in the house NOT in his crate? I know there is no specific age, but what signs should I be watching for? Diesel is 11 months old...he still gets into things while we are home if he is curious about them, but I would love to be able to not leave him in his crate when we go out. He is in it everyday while we are at work (although I do go home at lunch everyday and let him out for about 25 minutes (I live only about 7 minutes from work, so not a big deal), but I would really like for him to be able to just roam the house and look out the window. I just don't know if he's ready....<br/><br/>Thanks Shannon!<br/><br/>Kate Hi Shannon,
I think it’s great that you are able to answer everyone’s questions about Labs (although I’m sure your intent for this site was not to become a “dear abby” type column!) Anyway, I’ve got a question for you – when is a lab old enough to be left alone in the house NOT in his crate? I know there is no specific age, but what signs should I be watching for? Diesel is 11 months old…he still gets into things while we are home if he is curious about them, but I would love to be able to not leave him in his crate when we go out. He is in it everyday while we are at work (although I do go home at lunch everyday and let him out for about 25 minutes (I live only about 7 minutes from work, so not a big deal), but I would really like for him to be able to just roam the house and look out the window. I just don’t know if he’s ready….

Thanks Shannon!

Kate

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