Something has got to change or they are going!!!!!

[sarah25]

Our dogs dont like the rain but we make them go out Sophie really doesnt like it so we have to give her a push  
You have to make them go out.
How long do you leave them for ?

[Woody's Mum]

At the minute they are only getting out once or twice a week

There lies your problem I'm afraid. Honestly, they need to go out once or twice a day not week.

If your not well I'd seriously consider getting a dog walker to take them out for at least an hour a day. They must be climbing the walls.

Another thought, do you pick up thier poo from the garden? If they've been in there since Christmas then they might not be finding anywhere clean to go? Just a thought.

[Beth]

At the minute they are only getting out once or twice a week

There lies your problem I'm afraid. Honestly, they need to go out once or twice a day not week.

Sorry... I agree with everyone else.

Things are hard sometimes, but the dogs have to be cared for. As you know, i'm on my own with a baby and two dogs, and i still make sure that they get the exercise they need - in my case it involves waiting for a break from the rain, wrapping me and indie in warm clothes and forcing myself out into the cold.

I had 'flu over christmas too, it meant Jarvis missed his walks for 3 days when i literally couldn't get out of bed - after that i dragged myself and him out even though i was still ill and on the verge of a chest infection.

[Brimbeck(Dyllan)]

You have had some good advice so I will only add-
My boys are the same age as yours and they would go nuts if they didn't go out for a walk twice a day whatever the weather. But I know what it is like with two pulling dogs so I try to take them on one to one walks part of the time.

There have been some good threads about pulling recently and the advice worked for us and now they are much better.

 Please don't smack them as this will lead to more problems than you already have.
Have you got someone who can help you with the walks

[debsallen]

If these poor dogs are only geting out once or twice a week, then it is you that is letting them down, I am really sorry if this sounds harsh, but when you take on a dog/s you have the responsibility to care for them, and if you are poorly then you need to find someone that can help.  These dogs need exercising, no wonder they are all over you, all that energy they need to release it somehow.

As harsh as this sounds you need to decide whether you are able to care for these dogs, it is only you than can decide this, what made you want to have dogs in the first place? they look on you to care for them.  If smacking them is what you have resorted to, ill or not, then you need to have a long think about whether it is the right invoronment to bring them up in.

Sorry, I just wonder what comes after smakcing doesn't work.........................

[Cob-Web]

At the minute they are only getting out once or twice a week yep I know that's my fault and not fair on them but I havnt been well since hristmas and have so much on. Im also sick of the pulling tehy do when they are on there leads 

Oh, goodness - poor dogs   

Forgive me if this is out of line, but have you seen your GP?  To neglect your dogs in such a way suggests that you may be suffering from depression; perhaps SAD?  I had this two winters ago, it was incredibly debilitating...........


As I see it you have one of three choices:

1) return your dogs to their breeder/rescue centre so they can be enjoyed and cared for by someone else

2) find temporary support so that you can make changes to your life in order to give your dogs what they need - either a professional dog walker, or perhaps find a responsible teenager to help you out thorough a local scout/guiding group, or youth church, maybe?

3) Make changes today so that you can meet your responsibilities and continue to do so every day. That may mean getting up earlier, cancelling classes you attend, less socialising and instead join a training class, book some one-to-one sessions, find people to walk with - all things that will motivate you so that you can begin to enjoy your dogs again  This is the hardest one to do, but in the long run, the only way you can continue to share your life with your dogs   

[PennyB]

If they have all that energy have you thuioght of may be clicker trianing them --- will have to do it separately so may put one behind a baby gate or similar. This will help stimulate their brains and also can help with other training.

I agree with others may be get a harness or similar (out on long walks if mine are pulling and its a country road without pavements I will often use a gentle leader with mine just to be on the safe side as well, I also have shoulder problems so its easier on that as well) so it will make it easier for walks for you. Plus they really do need to be taken out more often --- if its wlaking you're having problems with then may take them out into the car then may be use a chuckitt as with that you don't have to walk far but they get the exercise

[PennyB]

1) return your dogs to their breeder/rescue centre so they can be enjoyed and cared for by someone else

all good advice plus may be add that may be if you just had one dog then you may be able to fulfill your requirements as Rachel suggested above in points 2 and 3. Sometime having 2 dogs relatively close in age when things are in turmoil may be not very manageable at all but you may be able to manage the one if things are bad for you

[crazyspaniels]

I am shocked and saddened that you are taking this out on your dogs, the fact that they are being punished for toileting in the house when you are not getting them out suggests you have a serious problem on your hands - its not a behaviourist you need because the dogs are doing absolutely nothing wrong. You need to sort out your own life and make sure the dogs are happy - if that means contacting someone like Penny to arrange rehoming them while you get well then thats maybe the best solution, you knew by posting that we would all agree that whats happening at the moment is not fair for your dogs and maybe you wanted us to back up a decision that you have already made? If you dont want to rehome them then you are going to have to get a dog walker urgently, tomorrow if possible because your dogs are just babies and they need out.

[Elmo]

Im saddened and sickened, sorry but i am being honest that you think its the dogs fault that they are relieving themselves in the house and are punishing them for it

I agree that maybe you need to think about rehoming one or even both of your dogs so you can get yourself sorted. If you are struggling to take care of there needs then thats not their fault. Even if your ill or busy dogs still need exercise and its up to you as an owner to make sure they get it whatever it takes.

In response to your title of this thread i think the best thing would be to rehome them as its not the dogs that need to change its you

[Top Barks]

I have nothing to add to what has already been suggested
It is up to you to do the best for yourself and your doggies.
I wish you luck
Mark

[cazza]

I have nothing to add to what has already been suggested

me too

Hope something gets sorted ASAP for the dogs and you

[Joules]

Gemma, I am really surprised and saddened to read what you have written.    You have been posting on this forum to know very well that you are not doing the best for your dogs and as for punishing them for messing in the house................... as has been said taking them out once or twice a week is nowhere near good enough     Surely you can manage better than this? Is there someone who could help you by taking them out sometimes?  They must be sooooo bored and totally confused by how you are treating them   

You have been given some good advice and you now need to try and do the best for those dogs whether that means finding new homes for them or getting in someone to help with walking them etc.    I know life has been difficult for you lately but it really is not fair to take it out on those doggies    Please try and get some help to sort yourself out and once you are feeling better about things you will be better able to do the best for your lovely dogs 

Sorry if this sounds harsh -  I know you love your dogs.  You will get a great deal of help and support from us on here as you know but in the end you have to take responsibility for this yourself so please, please take some action now to get some help

Good luck and take care 

[crunchie]

Please make a decision that is going to improve the life of your dogs.  Poor little things.  It is not their fault that they are behaving as they are at the moment.  They need more exercise, more stimulation and this may sound harsh but more love and understanding too.  You have to do whatever you have to to improve their life and make them happier.  If it means finding them a new more responsible, loving home than so be it.  Sorry, I may sound hard but I am thinking of those little dogs.

[Jeanette]

I am so shocked to be reading this, your thread starts off by saying how much you love your dogs and then ends by saying you shout at them and smack them     This may sound harsh but I really think those dogs would have a much better life with someone who has got the time to look after them and give them the attention they are obviously craving.   Makes me very sad to read posts like this.  Sorry I cannot be more positive and sympathetic but I don't think for one minute the dogs are a problem, its how they are living with you which is the problem.    Poor dogs.