About Wendy Grudin Expertise I will answer any general or specific questions regarding Australian Cattle Dogs(conformation, behavior, showing in either obedience or conformation). I cannot give any comments or recommendations re:AKC judges,as that would be considered a conflict of interest.
Experience I have owned, bred and shown ACDs for the past 13 years, and I am a licensed conformation judge (AKC) for the breed. I have owned and operated an all breed training center for the past 22 years.
Publications Dog World magazine(cover article on the Australian Cattle Dog, March, 1995)
Question hi. we have just adopted an ausie heeler/black lab mix. she is 3 months, and such a wonderful, intelligent puppy. she understands "No Biting" and "No Barking" already. Problem is, we are gone for about 4-5 hours a day. Instead of keeping her crated, we keep her in the bathroom with some chew toys, food, and water, along with an open window.
We were also thinking of another puppy to keep her company. Also, she does poddy on the paper in our kitchen. She goes outside, and will go the bathroom is she has to. She looks out our window, during the day, and when we get her outside, she only stays out for about 5 mins,a nd wantes to go inside. So, I guess Im asking your opinion on a couple of things:
-Should we get another puppy to keep her company? If so, what kind?
-Is it OK to keep her in the bathroom with more space than the crate?
-Is it OK that she is paper trained as a puppy, and doesnt like to go outside?
Thanks for your time.
Answer Hi Tee, First of all, please don't get another puppy till this one is trained...with adequste training, getting another dog is fine, possibly when the current one is about 11-12 months old. I am not really in favor of keeping her in the bathroom(I would prefer she be outside)...but if the bathroom is working out ok, then so be it. If the choice is the crate or the bathroom...I prefer the bathroom. I am not in favor of the paper training either. I would prefer that someone go outside with her...and then let her in once she potties.She may not "like" to go outside if no one is with her. Dogs that are paper trained sometimes prefer to always go pottie in the house. Keeping her inside in the bathroom does not provide adequate stimulation....there are not enough sights and sounds for her to develop properly.The best scenario would be for her to have a space of her own(outside) with shade, water, and a doghouse, when you are not home.Hope this helps. Wendy
