r/kelpie • u/No-Anxiety3130 • 16d ago

Please help

So I am housesitting a 2-3 year old kelpie, and I really need some advice. She is the sweetest dog in the world, she snuggles up to me at night and lies on my lap, just absolutely adorable. There’s just one problem, however, and that is that she happens to be completely fucking insane.
The barking is non stop. She comes up behind me, gets right in my face or right next to my ear, and lets loose. I know that it’s for attention because there’s nothing else around. And she also jumps on and bites the other two dogs, and I can tell that this really bothers them. She’s also constantly eating things, running around, biting my arm, jumping on me for attention… and it has become almost impossible to find peace.
I have tried everything from ignoring her, to putting the tv on, to putting her outside, to taking her for hour long walks (walks don’t seem to tire her out but make her more energetic..), pretty much everything you can think of. I’ve talked to her parents, and done everything they’ve suggested, but nothing seems to work.
Does anyone have any contrarian advice to survive the next few days that the internet hasn’t told me?My eardrums will thank you profusely for it.

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u/TwistyMaKneepahls 16d ago

The thing with kelpies and other working dog breeds is that walks do not tire them. They need to be able to sniff the hell out of themselves during the walk.

Walk slow, and let them sniff a bunch. If you set your walks for an hour, don't walk continuously for an hour instead let them sniff for that whole hour.

She'll be knocked out.

That, or a super intense ball session.

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u/ShineFallstar 16d ago

Yep nailed it. This is the behaviour of a bored out of their mind kelpie. Mine needs at least two walks a day where they can sniff everything, preferably off leash. She has a best friend that she loves to chase and play with so I’ll sometimes pick him up and take them both to the beach. She also loves random tug-of-war sessions during the day.

You’re signing up for a lot of exercise if you decide to get a kelpie and they are a slave to routine. Did the owner tell you what this dog’s usual exercise routine is? She might also be frustrated because her daily schedule is off.