[peacedove]

I am living with my mother again and her dog plus my two dogs and cat. She keeps telling me I should find my dogs a new home because I cannot care for them. This makes me really depressed. A part of the problem I think is the klonopin. I work all day and then I come home and fall asleep and cannot wake up for the life of me. Today I went to bed at about 5pm and just woke up at 9pm. I am going to try decreasing my klonopin dose. I will be devastated if I have to give my dogs away, but I can't be selfish if they would really be better off with someone else.

Anyone with dogs out there? How much human involved exercise do you think they need? I mean they play with each other quite a bit so I'm wondering how many hours a day I need to set aside to play with them. I want to be a fit parent. I am an animal lover and never thought I'd be unable to care for a few animals. If I can't care for dogs I can forget about ever having children.

 

[bright23]

What's preventing you from moving out? Your Mom is obviously overwhelmed with so many animals around.

Jumping to the conclusion about not being able to have kids... that's getting a little bit ahead of your current situation don't you think?

Talk to your doctor about what's going on. Rule out depression first. Then put a plan into action.

I would focus on planning an eventual exit from Mom's pad. Even if its a two year plan, work on a plan.

 

[peacedove]

I have depression, panic disorder, and DP. I am planning to move out again soon I am just having doubts now about my ability to give my animals what they need.

 

[ShyTiger]

hi Peace.
How much time do you spend with them? Im not talking walking or anything just them being with you. What breed are they? Some dogs have higher needs than others excercize wize. Are they happy? Are they showing any destructive behaviour? If your feeding them, providing them with water, and giving them some love and mental stimulation i dont see why you would need to rehome them. Particully when they have each other to amuse themselves with. Just 10 mins a day with retrieving games or obedience can be just as good as a walk. Also you can do some environmental enrichment-ie as simple as getting a kong and stuffing it with food and then they have to work at getting it out. Here you can actually get dog walkers too so maybe you can consider that. Can your mum be more specific in what she believes to be not caring for them?

 

[peacedove]

Well, I'm gone about 9 hrs a day, 5 days a week for work. and then I go out weekend nights usually. The rest of the time I'm at home with them. They are a shepherd and shepherd/rottweiler mix. They show destructive behavior when no one is home or when everyone is asleep. My mother believes I am not caring for them because she is up before me in the morning and lets them outside and she watches them when I am asleep and when I go out.

 

[ShyTiger]

Can you maybe make a roster with yourself? Maybe look into some kongs and stuff? Maybe look into a dog walker? Can you wake before your mum? Can you allocate you and dog time? The breeds you mention do require a medium-high amount of mental stimulation so environment enrichment would be very usefull. It sounds thou as if you do have time to do some productive stuff with them so maybe can write out stuff that you can do with them when you have the time with them. Training them is a great mental activity. Even just teaching them new tricks. When they are left alone there are things you can do that will occupy them. There are all sorts of toys that require dogs to problem solve and even toys that just let them let off steam! Change them around so they dont get used to the one thing. i can pm you specific stuff if you'd like- i am not functioning well today so apologise if my response is all over the joint!

 

[Shadow Cat]

I have 3 dogs. Even if they do play, they still need a lot of attention to be happy. I play with my dogs constantly. If you feel as though you don't have enough time for them, maybe you can give them to a friend?

 

[Shadow Cat]

Well, I'm gone about 9 hrs a day, 5 days a week for work. and then I go out weekend nights usually. The rest of the time I'm at home with them. They are a shepherd and shepherd/rottweiler mix. They show destructive behavior when no one is home or when everyone is asleep. My mother believes I am not caring for them because she is up before me in the morning and lets them outside and she watches them when I am asleep and when I go out.

If they are destructive when no one is there, they might have separation anxiety. I'm not trying to be mean, but if you aren't home all that often and don't spend a lot of time with them, they might be better off with someone else. They are just like little kids. As far as I know about those breeds, they need a lot of exercise.

 

[peacedove]

ShyTiger... if you have time to make a list of things to do with them that would really help I think. They have tons of toys and a kong ball is one of them, but I feel bad cuz they can never get the treat out of it, so I end up just taking it out for them. You say to switch the toys around... so I should take half away and then switch the two groups once in awhile? Thanks for your help.

 

[ShyTiger]

Hey peace i have flu at present as soon as functional i will do.