Abrams has no self regulation when it comes to water. He thinks he is thirsty all the time, which leads to him asking to go out to pee every 30 minutes. And it isn't as if he's just going out for the sake of going out - I've been doing my best to make him "hold it" for a little longer to see if he was asking to go out for fun, but if he insists on going outside, when I finally let him out he acts as if he's been holding it for 5 hours.
Just now he went over to the bowl and guzzled down some water, then went to the door and peed.
I took him outside, he peed, and then when we came back in he immediately went to the water bowl and guzzled again. (I picked it up and am not planning on letting him have any more tonight, the brat.)
I know part of the problem is he thinks he water is fun. He'll walk in, lap some up, then hold a mouthful and let it dribble out into the bowl because he likes the sound it makes. He's also taken to burying his muzzle in it and blowing bubbles. I do my best to redirect him when he takes to just playing in the water and drinking it out of what I assume to be is boredom.
I don't want to not give him the water he needs....but this is getting quite ridiculous. Is there a general rule of thumb in regards to how much water he needs at a given time? Or is there a certain time I can restrict his access without being cruel? He's crated during the day without access to the water bowl, either for 5 hour spans at a time with a break in between where he has access, or 8 hours straight. So I would hate to restrict his water consumption in the evening, too, but this going out to pee so often is insane! In the past hour I think I've had to let him out at least 4 times, and he peed by the door.
Should I offer "free access" and just provide him with a small amount at certain time intervals? Or should I let him take his fill at certain times and then pick the water dish up?
Stupid puppy.
Just now he went over to the bowl and guzzled down some water, then went to the door and peed.
I took him outside, he peed, and then when we came back in he immediately went to the water bowl and guzzled again. (I picked it up and am not planning on letting him have any more tonight, the brat.)I know part of the problem is he thinks he water is fun. He'll walk in, lap some up, then hold a mouthful and let it dribble out into the bowl because he likes the sound it makes. He's also taken to burying his muzzle in it and blowing bubbles. I do my best to redirect him when he takes to just playing in the water and drinking it out of what I assume to be is boredom.
I don't want to not give him the water he needs....but this is getting quite ridiculous. Is there a general rule of thumb in regards to how much water he needs at a given time? Or is there a certain time I can restrict his access without being cruel? He's crated during the day without access to the water bowl, either for 5 hour spans at a time with a break in between where he has access, or 8 hours straight. So I would hate to restrict his water consumption in the evening, too, but this going out to pee so often is insane! In the past hour I think I've had to let him out at least 4 times, and he peed by the door.
Should I offer "free access" and just provide him with a small amount at certain time intervals? Or should I let him take his fill at certain times and then pick the water dish up?
Stupid puppy.
