[PyrNet-L] <None>

[FARNAM!BMURDEN@farnam.attmail.com (Bruce Murden)]

Carol Kirk wrote:

>We have a new puppy and she is adjusting well to her
>new home.  Since we work she is confined to the
>laundry during the day for her safety and since she
>is not fully housebroken yet.  What types of
>suggestions can we solicit from the group as to ways
>to keep her entertained while in there during the
>day.  We keep a radio on for company and she has a
>Denta-bone, food, water, puppy pads and a crate with
>a blanket she can go into.

Carol,

Congrats on the new puppy! We crate our Pyr pup, Lucy
(now 6 mos. old) during the day -- it's great that 
your pup has a bigger place to play and sleep in 
during the day. We often leave a radio on softly for
Lucy, music and voices for her since she can't hear
her people's voices. I'd only be concerned for things
that she may chew that you don't want chewed, or any
laundry stuff that's bad to get into.

You don't say how old your puppy is, so I'll assume
she's young (2-3 months). You have a little more
flexibility in what you leave for an older dog, but
an older puppy can also get into more things while
you're not around to watch!

We found that Lucy, who was raised outdoors before we
took her home, became housebroken quickly by crating her.
I'm sure she didn't want to mess her "bedroom", so she
learned to hold it until we got home. We helped by
visiting her at lunch (Deanna and I took turns) to let
her out -- is that feasible for you?

As for entertainment, rotate the toys that she gets
to play with in her "room".  We found that Lucy becomes
bored with certain toys that had been her favorite
(just like any child!), so we rotate what she has to
play and chew on. After hiding a toy for a week or two,
she'll be interested in it again.

Last, make sure she has good chewables that won't cause
her problems while you're gone. While puppy teeth are
coming in, and again when adult teeth come in, your dog
will be more "chewy" than normal. Find something your
dog enjoys to chew but isn't likely to shread, for her
to cut her teeth on.

Good luck -- we can't wait to hear great stories about
your developing pup!


Bruce Murden
farnam!BMurden@farnam.attmail.com