View Full Version : help: my puppy is playing with water bowl?
ynotzoe
03-25-2006, 07:58 PM
I have an 11 week old golden retriever and she's been great so far...until the last couple of days. She's been playing with her water bowl and when I leave she puts her paws in it and splashes the water onto the kitchen floor! She's leaving barely any water to drink except what's on the floor. Is she just bored?
I've caught her playing with the water bowl a couple of times and have told her no, but still no change.I have a few toys in there with her like a kong ball, a stuffy and a chew toy(big nylabone).
Does anyone have any suggestions for me? When I'm off to work, I don't want to see this happen and for her not to have any water to drink. Thanks.
It's just puppy stuff. Give her more stuff to do. More exercise. More stimulating toys.
PixieSticksandTricks
03-25-2006, 08:29 PM
Ummm lol my 8 year old Lab mix still does that.
bubbatd
03-25-2006, 08:44 PM
I gather she's in a cage...install a water bottle for her. Play time when you're home... let her play in water ( not her bowl ! )...after all she's a water dog !
IliamnasQuest
03-25-2006, 09:07 PM
I remember when Trick (now nearly ten) came to live with me. Her breeder told me "this dog LOVES water, so be prepared!". And sure enough, from the first day she couldn't stay out of the water dish. She still loves water and will swim or play in a mud puddle at every opportunity.
What you might try is a small metal bucket (you can usually find these at pet stores). You attach the bucket to the side of a crate or pen and the puppy can't knock it over. You don't want to leave your pup with a collar on though, as it could get caught on the bucket handle.
She probably needs more exercise time with you before you leave to tire her out more, and you might consider some "puppy pacifiers" which are toys that you can stuff with kibble and peanut butter or squeeze cheese (like the kong). Raw knuckle bones are also good for keeping a puppy occupied.
I wouldn't get too upset with her playing in the bowl. I prefer a dog that likes water over one that won't go out in the rain because they're afraid of getting wet! (I have those type too).
Good luck!
Melanie and the gang in Alaska
Renee750il
03-28-2006, 07:37 PM
Oohhhhh! Bimmer did that when he was a pup! He'd dig all the water out of his dish, then lay in it! Drove poor O'Reilly nuts! I got smart and put a wading pool in the yard for him and he figured out that was a lot easier and more fun than digging out the water. AND I got a big, heavy water dish with a wide base that he couldn't flip either!