 Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Rob Abel ]
#275133 - 05/04/2010 06:55 PM |
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Reg: 04-21-2010
Posts: 50
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I own 2 Mals (age 5 and 17 months) and an ACD (age 3). I train and trial in OB, SchH, agility, flyball, tracking.
Dogs are 100% home-raised (no kennel). Daily routine is 30minute run + 20 minute leash walk + cuddles in the am. 8h workday. 1h off leash walk with chuck it + 20-30 minutes of work per dog in the pm plus lots of cuddles!
Week-ends are mostly training plus long walks.
The biggest difference I found is that you are always thinking of how to tire your dog (tired dog=good dog). We do lots of exercise (physical and mental) and do mind toys like kongs and Nina Ottoson toys. Lots of raw meaty bones to chomp on too.
I wouldn't trade it for the world 
Elise
Fontaine d'Or Emily RPT, FMCh, TFE, HITs, BH (HIT), CD
Whisper FDCh-S
Fontaine d'Or Hang on Tight |
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Al Curbow ]
#275147 - 05/04/2010 08:22 PM |
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Reg: 07-11-2002
Posts: 2679
Loc: North Florida (Live Oak area)
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Jump in and start making a million mistakes  , it's really the only way to learn. Working lines are just dogs that need attention vs a couch potato. I have a 4 month old Fetz grandson here, he's for sale, want him? please please please! 
You *are* right, here I was blaming his daddy and it's his grandpops! ROFL
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Betty Waldron ]
#275148 - 05/04/2010 09:03 PM |
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Reg: 07-27-2009
Posts: 1421
Loc: Southern California
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I like this thread. I have my own things to figure out (like I can't afford a place with a yard) but I think I can do it. Glad to see other people do, even if they do have big yards. For me it will be lots of biking (road and mountain), hiking, training, and long lines in a park!
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Katie Finlay ]
#275156 - 05/04/2010 10:05 PM |
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Reg: 04-16-2010
Posts: 498
Loc: Southwestern USA
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Agree it is cool to see all the different perspectives. The one statement that probably rings truest to me is "Jump in and start making a million mistakes" from Al. I have a tendency to study things ad nauseum before acting - but sometimes it's better to leap and figure things out as you go.
Out of respect to our old dogs and my wife (no order of priority intended), I do need to lay a bit more groundwork before leaping to get a pup. I want to order the "8 weeks to 8 months" and maybe "raising a working pup" video here pretty soon so I can get set up. Haven't seen anything yet to dissuade me. It's just going to be hard waiting...
A dog has alot of friends because he wags his tail instead of his mouth.
- Charlie Daniels |
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Rob Abel ]
#275161 - 05/04/2010 10:15 PM |
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Reg: 06-06-2008
Posts: 5062
Loc: WA, USA
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I work around 50 hours a week, plus commute time.
It can be done- its just a matter of carving out the time. Waking up earlier, hitting the backyard with the dog as soon as you come in from work, rather than putting your feet up, and being creative with your time.
And just like your dentist, your training director can tell if you've put your time in during the week.
ETA: Oh yeah. And I'm a single parent. You can totally find the time.
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Aaron Myracle ]
#275162 - 05/04/2010 10:22 PM |
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Reg: 04-16-2010
Posts: 498
Loc: Southwestern USA
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Alyssa, do you keep your dog crated while you are at work? Outdoor kennel?
A dog has alot of friends because he wags his tail instead of his mouth.
- Charlie Daniels |
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Rob Abel ]
#275163 - 05/04/2010 10:27 PM |
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Reg: 06-06-2008
Posts: 5062
Loc: WA, USA
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Now that she's an adult, she's crated during the day.
Yes, I'm evil. I crate my 2 year old GSD 9 hours a day.
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Aaron Myracle ]
#275165 - 05/04/2010 10:32 PM |
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Reg: 07-27-2009
Posts: 1421
Loc: Southern California
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Question! Do all of you come home mid-day to take your dogs out of the kennel/crate for a few minutes or are they in there the whole time you're at work? Because I won't be able to come home during the day unless I miraculously land a job close to home (highly unlikely).
Edited by Katie Finlay (05/04/2010 10:32 PM)
Edit reason: fugly grammar
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Katie Finlay ]
#275166 - 05/04/2010 10:39 PM |
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Reg: 06-06-2008
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Loc: WA, USA
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Generally, the dog is let out during the day, but there have been times that she's been crated for 10 hours straight when things have gone sideways at work.
Usually my roommate is home to let her out and supervise some free time in the yard, during the day. The rest of the time, she is crated. I honestly think she'd be fine in the crate all day, at this age, but I've had no reason to test that theory on any extended scale.
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Re: Lifestyle with a working dog question.
[Re: Aaron Myracle ]
#275167 - 05/04/2010 10:42 PM |
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Reg: 07-27-2009
Posts: 1421
Loc: Southern California
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That's good. Right now my boyfriend works from home (lucky) but I don't want to always count on it. He can let the dog out or take him/her for a walk (our Corgi is a house dog) but if he ever changes jobs (likely) I'll have to figure something out. Hopefully by then I can have a yard with a good size kennel.
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