[Elana55]

I have read through all of this and this is what I get:

You do not have adequate time or resources ($$ or emotionally) to be owning a dog.

This is not meant to rip you but I went through this in detail before getting my dog. I have to work and my dog has to be crated days. I would LOVE to have her in an indoor/outdoor situation but we have had dog thieves in the area so that option is closed. I also do not have the $$$ resources for day care etc. So, I understand all of that.

Knowing this, I researched it out before getting my dog. She is crated 10-10.5 hours a day and never longer. If I know I am going to be longer I do spend the $$ on boarding her. I went into this knowing that was the choice.

I also get up 1/2 hour earlier in the AM (4:30AM, yes. In the Dark and the Cold) and walk her 1.5 miles BEFORE work. Then, at night, I get home and we go another 2 miles minimum and usually it is more like 4 miles and that is IMMEDIATELY when I get home before I eat or anything else. A lot of time? yes. But that is the responsibility of owning a dog. You schedule your time and life around the animal(s). Trust me... I know and on top of this I try to keep a very nice house, property and the rest.

Here you are saying you got a dog and don't have the $$ to make up for your lack of time (working 14 hour days). You have a dog that jumps on cars in the garage.. but if the car is IN the Garage, then you (or someone) is home, so why isn't the dog WITH you? I figured this out because elsewhere you say the dog is OK in garage when you are at work and the cars are NOT in garage?

At another point you prioritize the cars and their paint job and their being in the garage over the dog (I don't even HAVE a garage and my car is really quite happy living outdoors.. it never complains or tries to run away so it must be happy). I can understand that from a $$ standpoint, but you are dealing with a living breathing animal that is not being adequately cared for on any level past food, water and shelter.

The dog gets walked 2-3 times a week because you don't have time. Dogs need to be walked and trained and worked with every day and for more than 15 minutes here and there.. you need to plan on TIME. I spend about 2 hours a day exclusively on my dog WEEKDAYS and more on Weekends (she goes with me to a lot of places). She is 14 months old.

You want the dog to "stop" jumping on the cars or over the fence. What behavior are you going to REPLACE jumping on things WITH? You don't have time to replace it with walking so she is tired, or playing so she is tired and stimulated, or training in agility so she is stimulated, trained and tired. You don't have the money for Dog Day care either.

You just want a behavior to stop and that is not realistic. You want it to stop and the dog to do what? Lay around? This is an active dog and., just like an active child, she will need to do something ELSE that is ACTIVE and YOU need to provide that activity. This is ANY dog, not just this dog!

So, in reviewing what you have said, I think if you are very honest with yourself you will realize you should not have a dog at all. You do not have the time for a dog. You do not have the money resources for a dog. You do not appear to have the emotional patience or feelings for a dog (more for the cars actually).

So, please find a new home for the dog; keep your cars and get a bowl and some gold fish (but be sure you have time to change the water frequently!).

[Cheetah]

Maybe she just likes having a high up place to feel more secure, or she's just jumping up there out of frustration. It's hard to tell. It's too bad you couldn't maybe put something else out there that she'd be more inclined to jump up on than your car.

EDIT: Just thought I should mention... goldfish should not live in bowls... >^^;<

[Elana55]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

EDIT: Just thought I should mention... goldfish should not live in bowls... >^^;<

Open tank is better.. more airspace and with a filter etc. Just making a point...

[MegaMuttMom]

I completely agree with Elana55. With all the responses people have given and your response tho them, it has become clear to me that you just don't have the patience or willingness to give the dog the attention it needs. My dog requires an hour long walk EVERY morning. If he gets that, the rest of the day he sleeps. If you can't do something with your dog EVERY day to tire out it's body and/or mind, you can expect poor behavior. This is your problem, not the dog's problem.

[reverend_maynard]

I have to agree that owning a dog is probably not right for you. When I hear that you'd rather rehome the dog than park your cars outside the garage when the dog must be confined in there, that's the only conclusion I can reach.

[tigress]

Another +1 to yu should probably rehome the dog (judging from everything I've read here). It would be best for you and the dog.

At least though do the dog the courtesy of finding a good rescue to take her to (maybe look for a cocker spaniel rescue near you). If it were me wanting to give my dog up I'd feel like it was my responsibility at least to find her a good home (or put her in hands that I feel would do a better job than me). And I'd never get another dog cause obviously I would not be a good match for a dog (and yes, I've posted here a few weeks back about feeling overwhelmed. I think though I'm getting a schedule and things worked out. But if I did end up deciding she was not right for me I'd be talking to Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue and offering to foster her until some one appropriate for her was found. And not getting another dog).

[princess]

UPDATE

Here's a plan I came up with:

1) Install 90 degree extensions along the top of a short area of fence in my backyard. This area borders my garage and is about 50 feet long.

2) Place rope along these extensions to create an overhang thus discouraging and preventing her from jumping over the fence.

3) Install a dog door on my garage door with her crate directly at the door on the inside so she can go inside when she wants. What will happen is she'll step right into her crate when she goes into the dog door.

4) I can even place obstacles (hoops, ladders, boards) to encourage her jumping and offer her entertainment when she's alone. This will be in the outside area.

With this method, she's away from the cars in my garage, she'll have access to the outside when she needs to poop/pee, she can't escape, she'll have the security of her crate, and can be inside in inclement weather. The obstacles will be the final touch.

She should be okay from theft and mischievious acts since my neighborhood is fairly safe during the day. (Cars however, have gotten broken into but mostly at night, she'll be inside at night). This is cost effective, requires minimal modifications, and encourages her love for jumping.

What do you folks think of this solution?

[Aussiefan]

Originally Posted by princess

Not sure what you mean not her fault the cars are scratched. I mean she has no idea of what happened, she just happily jumped up for reasons unknown to us.

Chicken wire on the dirt not good? Boards then? This will take some time to complete either way...and more $$$$ again. I've already spent about 2G's in the 5 months I've had her. I love my dog, but again, its money that could have been put into my kids college funds.

I'm running my head into the ground and its way past my bedtime. I dont want to give her up, but I may have to. Rescue instead of a shelter? That's a better idea, yes.

Yeah i would check into rescues in your area. I was just saying that i hope you were not blaming the dog for your own mistakes. Wasn't the dogs fault it damaged your car, it was yours. Again i don't want to come across as harsh, and i know you are frustrated, but you need to know that living beings take priority over any possession, that is just common sense. It does take money to take care of an animal, i don't know how old your vehicles are, but let me tell ya, my 4 dogs are by far cheaper to care for then my two vehicles. Feeding my Tahoe drains my wallet WAY more then feeding my dogs, lol! My pet insurance is way cheaper then auto, and when my vehicles go in for repairs, its usually way more then a vet visit. And like others have said, my Tahoe and Jetta are very happy outside, they are 8 and 9yrs old and still look like new. Just a waxing twice a year keeps the paint protected nicely. And living in the Seattle area, a little rain on my head as i go to my vehicle doesn't even phase me. Guess us northwesterners are just a different breed

Anyway yeah, i would check into rescues. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[poodleholic]

Again, crate won't work. On occassion I'm gone for 14 hours. I can't leave her in there that long and don't want to chance her pooping/peeing in there.

Agreed. 14 hours is way too long to crate a dog. 14 hours is also way too long outside in a kennel. Behavioral issues will surely develop - barking, digging (and possibly other behaviors). The neighbors will call AC or the cops, you'll end up paying fines, and/or worse.

As for jumping on the cars when put in the garage, who knows why, or even IF a behaviorist could figure it out and come up with a training plan. It takes time to work through behavior issues, and time is something you obviously don't have, being away for 14 hours. I don't even see this as a viable plan.

Wish I had an answer for you, but, if you can't have a dogwalker/sitter come in, and if no one is home for 14 hours, the dog is going to suffer - inside or outside.

[Elana55]

Originally Posted by princess

UPDATE

Here's a plan I came up with:

1) Install 90 degree extensions along the top of a short area of fence in my backyard. This area borders my garage and is about 50 feet long.

2) Place rope along these extensions to create an overhang thus discouraging and preventing her from jumping over the fence.

3) Install a dog door on my garage door with her crate directly at the door on the inside so she can go inside when she wants. What will happen is she'll step right into her crate when she goes into the dog door.

4) I can even place obstacles (hoops, ladders, boards) to encourage her jumping and offer her entertainment when she's alone. This will be in the outside area.

With this method, she's away from the cars in my garage, she'll have access to the outside when she needs to poop/pee, she can't escape, she'll have the security of her crate, and can be inside in inclement weather. The obstacles will be the final touch.

She should be okay from theft and mischievious acts since my neighborhood is fairly safe during the day. (Cars however, have gotten broken into but mostly at night, she'll be inside at night). This is cost effective, requires minimal modifications, and encourages her love for jumping.

What do you folks think of this solution?

This is actually one of the most positive responses I have seen from an owner on this forum. Most take offense and stomp away. You obviously really want to work this out and perhaps your original posts were just out of pure frustration and discouragement.

I would suggest you make sure the things you get for her to play in and on are away from the fence so they do not offer a spring board.

I would also suggest (because it is way fun) to try to teach her some agility stuff with respect to the obstacles. Things like contacts and flat work and what each obstacle is called and getting her to do them as you call them from either direction. It can be so much FUN!

If you have never gone to an agility competition, I suggest you attend one in your area for the fun of it. As long as you keep your dog away from the competition (50 feet) and she is well behaved on a leash (not barking, pulling or aggressive) you can take her too to most places as long as she is Up to Date on Vaccinations etc. You may discover a new hobby!

Meanwhile, on behalf of this dog, thanks for coming back with something positive.

[lovemygreys]

I don't understand what the problem is with a crate?

eta: let us know how your solution works out...

[poodleholic]

I don't understand what the problem is with a crate?

She's gone 14 hours, so the dog would be in the crate for 14 hours. That's a problem!

[princess]

UPdate: I thought you folks would like to know how things are going for Princess and I. I put up a simple plastic shield across the gate to prevent her from jumping over the gate. The shield seems to be doing its job. The jumping on/into the car seems to have stopped, or at least I don't see any new scratches.

Here's the best part. The other day, I forgot to close the gate and left it open all night and morning. We were home during that time and she was outside or had access to the gate. She didn't run away! We were so happy that she stayed inside or didn't run away...or if she did venture out, she was there when we let her in.

She really is a sweet dog, calm demeanor, and playful yet listens well. She's a keeper for sure. Alls well, that ends well!