Well it's been a while since I've been on. Havoc is doing well and still a big hearty boy. 8 1/2 months, 25in, and 68lbs.

There have been a lot of changes though in our household in the last two weeks and I could use some suggestions. I'll try not to make this a book, but no promises.

I work about 50-60 hours per week and Mike averages the normal 40. Havoc has been staying at Mikes parents house during the day because his mom doesn't work (by choice). We've had little spats because she doesn't want to train Havoc the same way that we do, and because (we feel) that she over-reacts about stuff Havoc does at their house.

Example: he has taken to eating their dogs poop. Penelope is fed a homemade diet of hamburger or chicken, rice, carrots and sweet potatoes. I know I have read about other dogs eating other things poop, and while gross, Penelope is healthy and we know what she's eating and I don't think it can hurt him (am I wrong?) I figure either Penelope isn't digesting something all the way and he can smell it, or perhaps he's just missing something from his diet. Mikes mom thinks there is something wrong with him that he wants to eat her poop and flips out any time she sees him.

Another example: She is constantly complaining about how he drips water on their floors after he drinks and she has to walk around wiping it up and wiping off his face because after he drinks he sometimes holds it in his lips (at least it seems that way) and it drips out, or he drools a bit. Again to us, not a big deal. I can't image their dog NEVER drips water on the floor; and she gives Havoc ICE as treats... so duh! Yes there will be water on your floor, right?

Ok so anyways,things compounded and about 2 weeks ago we decided that it would be best not to take Havoc over during the days anymore. So the poor guy has been crated for 3-5 hours at a time Mon-Fri. Mike walks him in the morning and takes him out and lunch, and I've been walking him at night. As expected he is clearly bored and becoming destructive, and at times now becoming disobedient. I've suggested to Mike maybe taking him to a doggie day care place once a week so he can run around more than we can let him do right now, but Mike doesn't like the idea. We haven't been frequenting the dog park as much because of owners that refuse to be accountable for their dogs, but Mike is going to take him tonight. I've searched for crate toys to keep him entertained, and I've found nothing that would stand up to him for more than 15 minutes. He has antlers and recently we started getting him buffalo knees, but he wears those down quickly.

Does anyone have suggestions on activities that will wear him down more quickly, or toys that will keep him entertained? Or just advice in general. We knew going into this that we have busy schedules and we would have to work at being good owners. The weekends are great and Havoc gets to do a lot usually, but the schedule during the week is making me feel extremely guilty.

I agree with Bev . . . definitely do not feel guilty.  I have 4 dogs that are left all day from about 8:30 to 5:00.  They do just fine.  Although they are no longer crated during this time, they started out by being crated.  Only when Java was a puppy still potty training did I either go home at lunch or have my daughter let her out.

Unlike Bev though, I would leave them in the crate with a Kong.  I would fill it with yogourt and some dog food and freeze it.  They are always excited to go into the crate.  Not that it really entertained them for long, but it got rid of my guilty feelings as I did not have to coax or shove them into crates, they were more than happy to go in to get the treat.  I even videoed them one day.  Pretty much just slept the entire day.

Now they are not crated, but blocked from going into certain rooms in the house.  They know the routine and are not chewers or destructive in any way.  Well at least if my husband does not leave his lunch on the counter that is!  GSPs are opportunist . . . and well his nice leftover steak dinner was a nice little treat for them one day.

But you have changed the routine and it will take some time to get him used to another one . . . but you will get there.

And Bev is right about the mental stimulation . . . it works just as well if not better than the physical exercise.  Although I do believe they should get plenty of exercise just to keep muscle tone and have better health, but they can go a few days without any should schedules and circumstances prevent you from taking them out for that sort of exercise.

Hang in there.

Roz

I too feel the same.  Ours are kenneled at least that much during the day, and we are home!  I work nights and sleep days.  The most important thing, I feel, as others are also mentioning, is ROUTINE.   Havoc will get used the routine, mental stimulation, and exercise.....all encompassed in a normal routing. He will not complain at all.    I agree he should not go to the In-Laws.  If she has any bitterness towards him, he will feed off that energy.  Bad idea!  Great choice! 

Messy with the water!!! Lol!   My two turn my kitchen into a wade pool by the time they are finished!  I thought it was just my two!    They get hot when they go out, so they are just as messy as they can be with the water, spread it all over the tile, and then lay in it!   Even when not hot and seeking a wading pool refuge in the kitchen tile, they leave puddles, drops of water ALL throughout the house, or as long as their lips will hold the water!  Their paws get wet too so they track MORE water throughout the house.   I purchased a small wading pool and put their water bowl outside.....that didn't work, they drink out of the toilet when the water bowl is outside!  Same mess.....just in the bathroom instead of the kitchen!  Lol!