I've been playing two ball with them, they both from working lines so they won't quit and I don't want to injure them. I've been stopping the game when the tounge is long and the return trip is slowing down. Do I quit for the day? or do I give them a rest period and pick it up again?

the rest of the post is ancedotal so you can stop here.

My four dogs have been cooped up in the house or backyard for the last few days because of the weather. I noticed they tend to squabble if they don't get enough daddy and play time. This afternoon it was the worst, it looked like a full blown four way dogfight was about to happen. I called them to me and all for of them were still a little "bitchy" (if someone can give me a better word, please do) I said the hell with this I don't care if its raining and muddy, my dogs have to blow off some steam, so I got my coat on and my two kong balls and we played for solid hour in our front yard and street having them fetch the ball, to keep the pace up, I'd throw the ball they would race for it, return, Then I would give the out command and throw the other ball so I had a ball in motion most the time. I mixed it up a little by putting them in a down stay and then sending them out. I stopped the game after they started walking out and back. I'm sure the nieghbors thought I was a kook playing fetch with three dogs(Maggie has HD and can't play ) in the rain and mud when its 40 degrees F outside. Afterward I bathed them all on the deck, cold as it was, it wasn't to bad since I put the hot water tap outside. After we ate dinner and then fed them not a cross word and very little activity now they are sound asleep next to me in our office smelling good

A tired puppy is a happy puppy

Oh, the sweet, sweet smell of wet dog. Sounds to me like you did the right thing with your "bitchy" (hahaha) pack. As far as how you know they "have had enough", IMO, if they seem healthy and happy with your routine, they are getting what they need.

My next dog will have a.m. ob and exercise and then again exercise in the afternoon, daily. Ok, maybe if we miss a day, it's ok, right? This is my goal in order to maintain routine and a happy dog.

Fellow Four Packer here. I know what you mean about the "bitchiness" that ensues with an otherwise comfortable pack when they can't get the exercise they are accustomed to and need. We're in single digit temps right now, with way below zero wind chills. Sounds like I see the same things you do - the dogs start getting very antsy with each other, and it's not safe to spend a lot of time out doors right now.

We have learned to use the crates as our best friends to avoid any possibility of dog fights just due to pent up energy. There is only so much active exercise we can provide inside the house compared to what they are used to outdoors.

Any clever ideas you come up with to expel that pent up energy indoors equalling the level you do outdoors, I'm all ears!!! (LOL - always looking for the magic solution!)

Beth

 Quote: beth fuqua

.....I know what you mean about the "bitchiness" that ensues with an otherwise comfortable pack when they can't get the exercise they are accustomed to and need. ... Any clever ideas you come up with to expel that pent up energy indoors equalling the level you do outdoors, I'm all ears!!! (LOL - always looking for the magic solution!)

Beth

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=15&Number=93037&Searchpage=1&Main=10135&Words=%26quot%3Bfishing%26quot%3B+Connie+Sutherland&topic=0&Search=true#Post93037

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: beth fuqua

.....I know what you mean about the "bitchiness" that ensues with an otherwise comfortable pack when they can't get the exercise they are accustomed to and need. ... Any clever ideas you come up with to expel that pent up energy indoors equalling the level you do outdoors, I'm all ears!!! (LOL - always looking for the magic solution!)

Beth

WHEE!! Puppy Fishing is an art form around here as we are helping the pups get started. Sadly, our other dogs are use to running football field lengths during daily work... (so crates are still my best friend I guess...)

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=15&Number=93037&Searchpage=1&Main=10135&Words=%26quot%3Bfishing%26quot%3B+Connie+Sutherland&topic=0&Search=true#Post93037

Well spring is around the corner for us ,heehee, ok not bragging
I have made it a habit to take my dogs twice a day to Red Rock, an area I found and will not share with any one here in Vegas,haha but we walk for 2 hours, I time myself because everytime I get started and the desert is endless, it feels like I have been gone a while when in fact it's more like 30 minutes.When we drive there , they howl, whine and bark, on the way back it is so quiet and they get in the house and quietly find their place, sometimes they'll go straight to the pool and coll their feet.I love those days that I get to go.But on days I have too much to take them , oh it's mess and they get on each others nerves..so I think it's great Dennis that you make the effort.I know how it gets!
Michelle, I know you can't wait for that puppy breath!!

I have a question about how much is too much exercise for a 5 month old puppy. I have been taking Nickie for a one mile walk each morning for the past two weeks (we worked up gradually to that distance, but the time I have allotted before I leave for work is what stops me at about 20 - 25 minutes). He really seems to enjoy it, however, he tends to grab the leash in his mouth like he is "walking" me instead of the other way around. I have a prong collar on him (because he is so young, there are only 4 prongs on the collar and I have the leash in both rings so he is "self-correcting " when he pulls too hard. Other than the issue of him grabbing the leash, all is going fine. I either snap the leash out of his mouth (not too hard because he still has his puppy teeth), or I put my hand over the top part of his muzzle, open his mouth, and take the leash out. Sometimes I have to do this 8 or 10 times during our mile walk. Do you think he is just being "bratty" because I don't let him pick up every single stick or foreign object along the way, or do you think he is getting "pooped out" and wants to hurry home?

diane is your puppy that hard and so untrainable that you pot the prong so early?
about the leash ijust pot some bitter spray on the end half of the leash and the puppy is stop biting the leash for good with no fight... (just take care the bitter saff dont get to his toys and tugs or threw your hands)

dennis ilove taking my dogs to they pic and than stop, it is actullay taking they drive higher the next time. the problam with pics is that if you dont know the dog to well (and it dosent seem to be your case) it is very hard to pot your finger when they are occuring untill they are over :when the dog beginnin to be slower down abit and hes grip on the toy starting to show wicker you can tell you past the pic... with dog idont know that good igive work untill the sighns the dog over the pic than the next time istop some time before that. and with time igradully taking it longer the point is ithink is to stop when the drive is on hes way up or very stady and not when its allready getting weacker...
with my dogs igive about 2-3 to ten times to go over they pic than i poll more drive abit by excit tham with the toy getting they drive to go up again and than stop after period you do so you can do it twice than three times thats how ibuild consisitnce
allthou the dog tired...
you should also watch your dogs for they wont get over temaperature... pot tham in the shades between training and have tham drink after each session... ihope you got what imean with my lame english...
sefi.s
israel

Diane, at 5 months a long walk is too much for a pup still growing.
As far as him grabbing his leash it's a play dominance ,he is trying to control the walk.I would simply use a command not actually grab his mouth and open it.Tell him" foohey" or "out" , you might also shorten your lead where it gives him no room to do it, and if he tries give him a little pop on the lead.
A prong on a young pup like that IMO is not a good thing for what come later on in training.Start with a fur saver, work on your handling skill as suppose to the quick fix.You want him to enjoy his walk and you want to built a good bond during those walks, not have him fight you, and thinks he's being corrected left & right,.Regroup, analize this whole walking experience, I am sure you can make it better for you and your pup.What is your experience in dog training or have you ever taken an obedience class?
An obedience class with a good trainer would work wonders for you, and help you out. I would look for one close to you.Good luck with him, and if he is bring so strong that with a fur saver it's too much for you ,a prong would work but you have to know what to do at the other end of that leash.You are always welcome to see us at our training field,I also can give you a trainer that gives classes.Just let me know

Angelique,
I thought I was doing the right thing by trying to give Nickie a lot of exercise before I go to work. He has to be in his crate all day because my husband sleeps during the day (works the night shift). The reason I started with the prong collar was the techniques used on the "Puppy 8 wks to 8 months" DVD did not work for me with Nickie. On a regular flat collar and leather leash, Nickie was pulling my arm off! I would be constantly "popping" the leash and giving him a "slow" command. He would do the same thing then that he still does now on the prong collar - too much of not getting his own way and he starts grabbing the leash a few inches from the collar (yes, I've tried soaking it in Bitter Apple - doesn't faze him a bit!). Then a few times of correcting him for grabbing the leash and he is leaping up at my arm/wrist/hand - whatever he can latch his puppy teeth onto, and even tries to wrap his front legs around my leg while I am trying to walk him. It seems like he gets mad when I don't let him run over and sniff at (or try to pick up) every little thing while we are walking!

Yes, I have been in an obedience class before (with our first dog Buster (a pitbull). The class was at PetsMart which I know everyone thinks is worthless. Buster and I went for 8 weeks and he passed his training (he also was impossible to walk without pulling your arm off - in the PetsMart class we had to use a choker chain which helped but decided not to continue using it with him after the end of the classes.

Anyway, if I can't or shouldn't take him for a long walk every morning, I don't know what to do to wear him out - playing out in the yard throwing the ball for him to retrieve is only good for about 15 minutes then he gets very wound up and starts attacking legs/feet/ankles - anything that moves! That is when I decide that playtime is over and he goes back inside and into his crate to relax.

It looks so easy on Ed's DVD's - if I had all day to spend with Nickie instead of just a half hour in the morning and about the same time in the evening (work takes up way too much of a person's spare time!)

I desperately want to get a handle on this while he is a puppy. I know he will be a big (and stubborn) dog and we have to be the ones in control!