Freedom

[Sugah]

I know, I just posted something but I'm feeling chatty/curious tonight.

So, Moosh is turning 8 months next week (time flies!) and I feel like I haven't given her as much freedom as I should.

When Molly was a growing pup we lived in a condo, so everything was on one floor and visible from every angle. She was always near us when we watched TV, slept, ate.

But, because I'm in a house now, I have kept Moosh mostly on the main floor when I'm there. I often put her in the crate when I am doing things upstairs because she still has a BIG problem chewing things (like stairs, walls and carpets) and I can't watch her all the time.
Also, I'm petrified she's going to start peeing on our beige carpets. When we are watching television she goes to the living room door every 15 minutes and, because I'm worried she has to go, I bring her downstairs every 15 minutes. Mostly she just wants to walk outside then back in again and because of it, she doesn't spend the whole evening with us. But I want her to.

Am I expecting too much? I don't know, it would be nice to have her hang out all the time...

 

[Erika]

if your worried maybe a nice long lead to keep her near you till shes used to being with you in the evening, we had Gandy on a 20 ft lead till he learned certain perimeters in the house, he was about 4 months old then by 7 months he roamed freely with the rest

 

[CMDRTED]

Long lead is a good idea. Tigger is near that age. We haven't had an accident in the house for quite some time (fingers crossed). But someone is always near her. She is good about going to the door and asking to go out. All Newfie puppies are different, so you may have a quick learner, or a slower one. Be consistant in your training.

 

[Henrys Mom]

My opinion is I wouldn't give her too much freedom at 8 months old. I still control where Mason goes and what he does and he is almost 10 months old. I will always confine him to the kitchen (his form of the crate!) when I am gone or can't watch him every minute. Our other Newf did not have free reign of the house for a long time! Mason still eats things and torments the cat. He hasn't had an accident in the house in a long time but like you, I worry about that and the carpet! I like the idea of a long lead in the house. I haven't done that but I think I will! I close all the doors to the bedrooms and bathrooms so Mason doesn't eat anything in there!! Puppies are a lot of work aren't they! Mason has been a real test for me, but also a joy!

 

[Capri]

As long as you can buy the pink Vanish carpet cleaner there, you're fine :lol:


I would start trusting her more. She is already 8 months old and as long as you train and walk her daily (to direct her energy directed towards other than destroying the house ;-) ), she should start learning by now how to live in your household. i.e. no chewing, calming down at home with you in the living room, and no running outside-inside-outside etc. It's the basics, but important to 'teach'.


Merita is 19 weeks now and she's been free downstairs for the nights since about roughly a month ago (I sleep upstairs, but as long as she gets out before I go to bed and I keep my night around 6-7hours, she'll hold it well). She's still in her crate when I'm away, but she's free for the evenings and has learned that when I open my computer and books, it's time for her to just sleep in the room.