How do deal with having a Lab inside a house? - NO access to a balcony or terrace!

i would call it cruel!
Just pray tht meneka gandhi does not read this,

By: Vizal | 08 Apr 2009

imagine yourself locked in a room and think if its good? same applies for any living animal too. you can take the pup for walk 3-4 times day n see if u can solve the problem or look for a new home for the pup to be rehomed as it will be less stressful for the pup at this stage.

By: Anil @ DoggiesDude | 09 Apr 2009

Pavan, I agree with Doggie Dude . You must do the following things :
- Give the little guy some fresh air ,take him for a walk 3-4 times a day . you have a maid who can take him for a walk when you guys are at work . ( morning, afternoon , evening, and right before sleeping)
- After coming back from home spend atleast half an hour playing , scratching- giving your undivided attention with him . don’t leave everything to the maid.
- Start with potty training seriously .This is the right time - see the attached link .No dog is potty trained from birth .it is unfair to assume the same .
http://www.choosingdogs.com/ba sic_training/dog_toilet_traini ng.php

Now you must be aware that owning a dog is much more that cuddling and petting . it’s a full time job and require lot of your time and dedication .
If you don’t have time even to do the above then I am sorry to day that you are unfit to keep a dog and must put him up for adoption for a more loving and deserving family.

By: DoggieDawg | 09 Apr 2009

Thanks everybody for your replies. Reading back my post I myself feel I miscommunicated my problem here. It is not that the dog is LOCKED in the bedroom all the time. All I meant was since there is no balcony or terrace attached to the house, he uses a bedroom, because I wanted him to have a place of his own! He is always allowed to move around the house freely. I NEVER tied him till now. What I was trying to say here was, I have given the bedroom for him so that he feels secure, but he somehow doesnt consider that his 'home'

The maid and my fiancee even take him downstairs and play with him for a good 1 hr in the evening daily in the frontyard of the house. But considering that the landlord stays in the ground floor, I don't know when would he stop liking this.

Let me tell my problem here very clearly now
- When I put this post, I wanted to know how do dog owners who live in apartments manage their pet. I am sure there are lots of people who live in apartments and have dogs and still live happily with them. I would want to have the same experience.

- Secondly, since both me and my fiancee are working, is it bad for the dog to spend most of the time with the maid? I mean would this be psychologically bad for the dog. Trust me, the dog is left alone for not more than 2-3 hrs in a day.

Please please don't get me wrong here. I do love dogs a lot and want to just understand how do people live happily with their pets in apartments and inside houses, where balconies and terraces are not available.

I really appreciate everybody's answers here and would request all of you to not misunderstand me. Please kindly guide me with my corrected query

Thanks in advance

By: Pavan Kumar | 10 Apr 2009

dog needs min 45 minutes of free play each day.Lab being a family dog needs human company. You can toilet train him to use the bathroom. basic way is when he urinates in room, put a newspaper on it and let it be soaked and them keep that paper in bathroom. let it be there for 2 days. take him near the paper and let him smell.. hopefully he wud start using that place for nature's call.
Hopefully you can work out time for the pup too. when left alone give him lots of toys to play so that he is occupied. kong would be a good toy.

By: Anil @ DoggiesDude | 10 Apr 2009

Is your pup done with his vaccinations? At 2.5 months, I would suggest you take real good care of the pup especially that I see so many pups that age at my vet with Parvo when I take my pup for his routine checks... Ticks are another menace that you might want to take care of when you take him out... Tick fever can be reaLL painful for both you and your pup, if you know what I mean...

I live on the 11th floor, have a total of 6 balconies... but do not keep him in the balcony, their paws burn in summers and winters aren't too kind either... don't even get me started on thunderstorms...

My pup is over 5 months old & has now totally stopped poopin in the house still pees a couple of times, but whenever he does he runs and hides does not even respond to his name at that time, all am happy about is that atleast he knows hes done something wrong...

These are the days to enjoy with him.... hes young and LIGHTWEIGHT... later even picking them up becomes a pain which only your back can tell ;)

Enjoy.....

By: Puneet Sharma | 10 Apr 2009

Thanks everyone for their valuable comments.

I have finally decided to send my pup to my mom & dad's place at Hyderabad. They have a big house with a front yard and very good space for the dog to run around and play. I feel sad for sending him, but then I can't see him suffer and get bored like this everyday :(

This friday I am taking a cab from Bangalore to Hyderabad. Would start in the night to avoid the heat on the highway.
Could you guys tell me a checklist of advice of some sorts to be followed during this journey? The journey would be approximately 560 kms and can be covered in 13-14 hrs at a comfortable pace.

Waiting for your suggestions.

Thanks in advance

By: Pavan Kumar | 13 Apr 2009

do not feed him heavy before the journey.. give ligh easy to digest things to eat. keep glucon D poweder and add to water whenever you stop. you can feed him treats, cookies/buiscuits in journey.
Keep him leashed in the car..i mean not on just collar. have a leash hooked to it. Reason being whenever you stop and open the door, pup might want to jump out suddenly and is very risky on highway. so leash him BEFORE you open the door.

By: Anil @ DoggiesDude | 13 Apr 2009

Thanks DoggiesDude for your suggestions.
Btw, I have never took the pup in a car ride till now. Do you think there would be any problems as such, considering this is one long journey? - And any advices with regards to that. Sorry for asking so many questions. Just want to make sure I don't miss out on anything before I set out on the journey. Coz once I start I would have access to only things I carry with me
Thanks once again ...

By: Pavan Kumar | 13 Apr 2009

keep him on the seat along with you... he might be scared a bit but will be ok in sometime.... stop whenever he feels uneasy and take for a short walk outside for nature's call... rest depends how you understand the pup as per his body language while on road... should not be hard..its easy..

By: Anil @ DoggiesDude | 13 Apr 2009

What were you thinking when you got this dog. It is because of irresponsible owners like you that we have so many pedigree dogs up for adoption. Dogs are not toys they too are living things and have feelings. If you are that big a dog lover shift to a house. Getting a balcony is not the answer. You also need to regularly walk the dog and play with it. labs are not small dogs and they need their exercise and training. I get furious when I read stuff like this and you are supposed to be educated.

By: Dinkar Singh | 16 Apr 2009

Dear Dinkar Singh

Although you might be absolutely right, but I guess your communication style is not apt... you had replied onto a blog of mine too... "People like you...." seems to be your favourite, lets not get mud slinging here... Would appreciate that you refrain from such replies... everyone has a right to free expression but lets not overdo it and hurt some feelings! Sincere request only.. no offences meant!

Am a dog lover myself but I treat humans more valuable than dogs, not that I do not love my dogs, I love them like crazy, but a dog should by no means surpass the value of a human, thats my belief!! (Could be 100% wrong but thats that).

Hope you understand...!!

Respect & Peace

By: Puneet Sharma | 16 Apr 2009

Mr. Dinkar Singh

I appreciate that you love dogs a lot. And so do I. And that is the sole reason I have chosen to post my problem here and have a solution to it, rather than just put my dog up for 'adoption'. It is only in the best interest of my puppy that I decided to do all this, because I could not see it getting bored living inside a house.

If you really get furious you could give me a solution instead of just pointing out that I have done a grave mistake. I suppose this forum is for discussing all these kind of problems so that I come to an educated conclusion before I take any step. Trust me, your reply was not one bit helpful!

I have happily shifted my Lab to Hyderabad at my parents house where it has been enjoying to the core. My eyes were filled with tears when I saw my Lab jumping and happily playing in the new house. It was heartbreaking to part with him, but neverthless, I consoled myself that it is still within the family and would be taken care of with utmost love and care

It is my humble request to please kindly refrain from venting out your furious anger here. It would be absolutely fantastic if you could give your valuable comments and help people cope up with the situation.

Thanks

By: Pavan Kumar | 22 Apr 2009

ATTN: Iswear

I think you have not read my short reply in the first place. I did give you a solution. If you really love your dog move to a house and not another apartment. I also mentioned regular walks and exercise. Please see by first response again.

By: Dinkar Singh | 22 Apr 2009