[Mssjnnfer]

We have a really small house, so the dogs really don't have a lot of room to roam inside. I can tell they get really bored really quickly.

I want them to have a job.

I've read that giving them jobs is like really good for them...

What sort of things could I do? We don't hunt and I'm sure I can't get into showing them or obedience trials or anything. I just want some simple but effective jobs for them to do around the house.

Any ideas?

 

[jwemt81]

There is always agility and sports like flyball and dock diving, although that season is pretty much over until spring. There is also the possibility of training to become therapy dogs and visit nursing homes, hospitals, and places like that. You could even set up some agility equipment in your yard if you have enough room.

 

[tippykayak]

Fetch, agility, obedience (even if you never compete), whatever. Goldens take quickly to pretty much any sport that involves working together with a person.

 

[heartofgold]

I think individual time with them is important. Maybe you can take each one aside for 15-20 minutes a day and teach them obedience, tricks, ect? My dog loves the one on one time even though she already knows almost every trick in the book. Then after her training sessions I either walk her or throw the ball for 15-20 minutes. I only have one dog but she has to share me with a house full of kids. (I have two of my own and babysit for three more).

 

[Tailer'sFolks]

One of our neighbors had a stroke a year after we got Tailer. Hubby decided to start taking her her paper in the mornings...well, not him carring it, but getting Tailer to do it. After just one morning he, Tailer, can't wait to take Betty her paper! We can't even say "Betty" in our house as Tailer starts going Nuts!

Tailer is tennis ball addicted, so part of Betty's therapy became "Betty Ball". She would toss the tennis ball down the hall, Tailer will bring it back...she dries it off with a paper towel then tosses it into the kitchen...again and again and again! Sooo, Tailer has 2 jobs for Betty...Paper Delivery Boy n Therapy Dawg!

Oh yes, Sunday's we have a problem...no paper...so we use an old one to put in the plastic bag for Tailer to carry to her! Never thought she would be able to be home alone...She says she would not have been able to do it without Tailer's Help!

He carries the roll of paper towels to and from the living room at the start of the game too. Such a good boy...

 

[The_Artful_Dodger]

Wow...Tailer sounds like a great dog.

Dodger will hold my feet while I do sit ups (which isnt very often). Thats about the only actually useful thing he does. I've been thinking about teaching him to pull a sled to cart around my roommates little and old dog this winter (gets lame if he walks too far).

Maybe you could teach them to find things that you hide around the house? Actually, I should teach Dodger to find my keys...that could come in useful.

I also agree with everyone who said to work on obedience and teach tricks.

 

[Pudden]

I just want some simple but effective jobs for them to do around the house.

Any ideas?

hmm..

- wash dishes
- take out the trash
- do the laundry
- clean up their toys
- give back massages

 

[Trids]

Uuuh, does the Pud give lessons? I'd love it if Max were to learn some of those skills! :new (18):

hmm..

- wash dishes
- take out the trash
- do the laundry
- clean up their toys
- give back massages

 

[Bender]

I'd go for the 'hide and seek' game too, have some certain toys that you can hide for them to find. They can pretend they're drug sniffing dogs on the job...

Lana

 

[FlyingQuizini]

hide their kibble in little piles around the house or toss it out in the yard and let them hunt for it.

 

[Dreammom]

My parents border collies have always helped mom make the beds LOL. They say if you don't give a BC a job they will find one and hers did.

Hurley and Layla both love to help load the dishwasher, from experience though - make sure they don't have their collars on. Both of them have gotten hooked on the rack at one time or another.

Jobs like bringing in the newspaper, the mail, your slippers or shoes are fairly easy to teach any retriever, they love bringing stuff to you.

 

[aquagal]

wow!You have great dogs!
I dont have to tell my golden to fetch slippers.The moment they are off my feet he gets them and chews them to shreds!Same for any paper/clothes that are lying on the floor!
how do I get him to fetch things without chewing them ?

 

[Dreammom]

wow!You have great dogs!
I dont have to tell my golden to fetch slippers.The moment they are off my feet he gets them and chews them to shreds!Same for any paper/clothes that are lying on the floor!
how do I get him to fetch things without chewing them ?

Ummm thats the trick part LOL. I do think it comes with maturity... Layla is still quite young, but she has learned that certain things she can not chew, unfortunately she is still learning.

 

[Mssjnnfer]

Awwwww you guys have so many good ideas!! They are going to have so much fun now.

 

[LibertyME]

If youre sitting in the computer chair...the dogs like to drag us around the house...
(Maine winters are very long....)
Trace's job is to pick up the dog dishes after their meals...
Liberty lives to pass me clean laundry from the basket to fold....

 

[Mssjnnfer]

How would I go about teaching stuff like bringing me things, putting things away? I would LOVE it if they could pick up their toys!! Or bringing me the food dishes, that would just be so adorable.

What about teaching them to "find" different toys? Like the drug dogs?

Thanks again all. They thank you too LOL.

 

[LibertyME]

if you teach "TakeIt" aka "FetchItUp" aka "GetIt"' (start by play teasing with objects they really like and marking the moment with they have the object in their teeth - Then teach a "Hold" working for incrementally longer bits of time - at the same time work on picking up all kinds of objects...then the food dish comes easily...

I really need to get some footage of Liberty helping with the laundry...it is funny....the only clip I have she is passing me our family's 'unmentionables' LOLOLOL

 

[Oaklys Dad]

I really, really need to see all three of these. : Having met all but Trace I have no doubt that they do them with grace and skill. I just really want to see them in action.

If youre sitting in the computer chair...the dogs like to drag us around the house...
(Maine winters are very long....)
Trace's job is to pick up the dog dishes after their meals...
Liberty lives to pass me clean laundry from the basket to fold....

 

[Debles]

Mine bring the paper, the phone, the remote, my socks (Gunner usually already has them in his mouth) and any toy, dummy or ball I say.

It takes practice but they learn quickly! They love it!!!!

They also love Hide and Seek!

 

[LibertyME]

Trace picking up his dishes... I think he was about 10-11 months old..