Airedale

[snowday]

Any ideas on keeping a busy 4 month old Airedale, Arthur, out of mischief?

[woofgang]

yup, start his training, sit, lie, stay, bit of lead work. Get a Kong and stuff it. structured play till he can go out of the house. Basically at his age he should be playing and exercising, eating and sleeping. have you got a crate or playpen? Once he has had his exercise and done his business, put him in there near you with a lovely chewy treat. he will chew himself to sleep and give you an hour or so's peace

[madmaggot]

Couldn't agree more woofgang; all the effort put in during the first few months will be repaid threefold in the coming years by avoiding 'bad' habits setting in due to boredom.

[carmalee]

Don't forget puppy socialisation classes - really important and works off a lot of energy. good luck with pup.

[grannie39]

you are so very lucky just starting with a new airedale puppy they are the best dog's ever. you will notice people smile at the the dog and then say 'oh! we used to have one of those dogs' he will begin to settle down when he is about 7years old, but! you won't notice it, enjoy your beautiful dog. oh' happy day's when we had one. they arent animals they are people dressed up in fur. sorry if i got carried away.

[woofgang]

Two things that are the best things EVER we did with our two boys before they could go out was taught weeing on request and a solid recall. When we want to go out now with them in the car or leave them alone, i can take them out into the garden and ask them to wee and they do it, also poo if they need to, This means that I KNOW when they are in the car or shut indoors they are comfortable and not bursting. Their recall is amazing although I do say it myself and they aren't terrifically well behaved dogs. I used to carry a box of food around the house in my pocket, whistle for them from about age 8 or nine weeks (we got them age 7 weeks) and they would come for a treat. By the time they were allowed out (we live in the New Forest) they would come to my whistle (and later an acme thunderer for distance) with no hesitation. When adolescence came we had some recall wobbles but no major probs. and now at two and a half years old, (touching wood) the recall is rock solid again even with rabbits, deer ponies, cows and donkeys to distract them. I am not a great dog trainer, I jyst put the work in at the right time!!