Dogs

[danaf]

I have two mini-schnauzers. They are awesome. They play alot but generally when we are home, they are well behaved.

BUT - the minute we leave -they tear up anything they can get their paws on. (thank God not the furniture, only papers).

For example, my yorkie has always had a pee pad because I lived in NY and didn't have a doggie door. She is 13 now and there is just no getting her out of using a pee pad. When we are home, the two bozos don't go near it. But if we leave it down when we go out - that thing is shredded up big time when we get home.

If we pick up the pee pad, they will actually climb onto our dining room table to find any pieces of paper to shred up. And this is with the chairs completely under the table so they can't use them. LOL.

And they know they aren't supposed to do this. It's like they are angels & devils at the same time!

I've scolded them and withheld treats to them for doing this stuff but they still do it if they can. We try putting everything away but sometimes forget.

I do have crates but my husband doesn't believe in crate training. He thinks it's cruel so I only use them if one of the dogs gets sick to prevent throw up all over the house.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[isitreal]

Your dogs are bored and are finding something to do. Unless you can find some way for them to not be bored (like being outside, etc) then they really need to be crated during the day. It's not cruel.. it's more of nesting thing than anything.

[danaf]

yeah but no - we have a huge backyard and a doggie door so they can go outside whenever they want. They may be bored but it certainly isn't because they cannot go outside.

I was wondering more if it isn't separation anxiety or something like that.

[One Half Full]

The potty pad problem is understandable. My dogs are litter-box trained. The floor of the litter-box is newspaper. So far it is not interesting to them. I feel a potty pad would be too great a "Treat." Now, if you can spray it with something like Bitter or Green Apple (a dog-chewing deterrent--ask a pet store rep and they will give you a good brand name) will the Yorkie still use the pad? It has a very bitter taste and usually a dog understands not to touch the item after a few chews. You can see it in their faces. They say "yuk, I don't like that," and pretty soon they stop that particular behavior. You need to be consistent (if it works) and always spray the pads till you know the behavior is altered.

I stopped my dog from chewing on my bed and furniture with this bitter apple spray.

I'd try it, get the bitter apple and just spray several of the potty pads, or pieces of paper and then see if your problem is solved. They must know that paper tastes yukky.

It might mean human training as well. I keep any and all "important" paperwork in boxes.

[MomIcantFindmy]

I have two mini-schnauzers also. They play constantly. I have a basket of toys for them in the corner of the livingroom. When they play it looks like I have two year olds living here. We crate trained them, however if we are going to be gone the entire day we place the dogs int he kitchen or bathroom with a baby gate blocking the entrance and of course their basket of toys. It has worked very well.

[HeatherB]

Perhaps you could try an interesting, yet challenging toy? Petsmart has a big/or small rubber bone that you can put peanut butter in. I've never used it, but would think that it would at least keep the dogs busy (trying to get all the peanut butter out).

On a seperate note, I have a miniature pinscher and live in an apartment. We've only lived here a month and a half. We used to have a house with a doggie door/yard. NYE we went to my brother's house and stayed the night and left the dog at home. (with some strategically placed plastic bags in the kitchen - his favorite thing to pee on) I was happy that when we finally got home, he peed only in the kitchen on the bags - but I guess he was upset and he chewed up his dog leash (to pieces). So, we had to get a new leash for him. LOL

[One Half Full]

Litter box training is actually not to difficult though it takes time and patience. My dogs wake up, go to the litter box, do their business, and jump back in bed. I put the old newspapers in a plastic bag and haul it to the trash. I use a washing machine drip pan because my Italian Greyhound is large, about rat-terrier size. I find that when I am finally forced to move into an apartment, I won't have to worry about the dogs.

[danaf]

momicantfindmy - my two guys are big jumpers. Tried the gate thing but these two fly through the air like there is no tomorrow. Even the girl will jump over the gate and she is pretty stocky. It's actually pretty funny.

Ah well, maybe they will improve with age. The buggers. I love them to death though.

[Minnymouth]

danaf,
You might try using a "folding door" to contain the little darlings to one room when your away..... and of course put their favorite toys with them.....

Yes, most dogs suffer from separation anxiety..... the want their masters with them 24/7......... just like a baby wants his momma around or wants to be held all the time.....

My "girls" are older now - 7 - and are mostly "couch potatoes".... but still would be dangerous to leave them alone in the house for any length of time. A little while, their okay, but for a long length of time (even with doggie doors) they still get bored. Certain breeds more than others. I have one that if left alone for any length of time starts trash can hunting...... looking around, seeing what she can get into to "make her statement"!!! Her favorite thing is "paper shredding"..... LOVES IT!!! Any peice of paper she can get her teeth into..... She would rather have paper than a rawhide or chewy stick.

Course when they were "pups" they enjoyed the chewing of shoes, table legs, etc........even though they got their brains knocked out for it.... But finally outgrew all that or got tired of getting smacked.

Even now they still enjoy chewing on plactic items - like resin yard chairs, picnic table legs, etc..... so sometimes it's still a "battle of the wits" with them..... They only do this when bored!!

Most inside pets do not get enough exercise is part of the problem vets say..... they have so much energy that they have to DO SOMETHING to vent it off...........

SOOOO, play with that baby, walk and run them, and wear them out before you go off and leave them in the house alone..... WORK FOR ME..............

Minny

[AMISLANDER]

I used to have the cutest, smartest little mini-doxie, "Milkyway"....so named because he was the color of a milkyway candy bar....I used to leave him alone during the day & he would chew up everything he could reach and anything he could pull. Spiteful little rascal.

I would love to have another one, but I've been holding back because, I'm gone during the day and I'd hate to leave a little dog alone for 8 hours....anyone else like this? I'm just would love a little companion....but, don't want to make an animal lonely...

Any suggestions? (see picture of the little guy I used to have under my profile).

[Peevee]

My dog would tear stuff up when we left the house. She's a 75lb boxer. My friend told me to start leaving the tv on when we left.
She sits in my recliner and watches tv now when we are away.
So far she hasn't tore anything up in over a year now.

[isitreal]

She sits in my recliner and watches tv now when we are away.

That's too funny... Good idea, too.

[Minnymouth]

PeeVee,

Thats an excellent idea about the TV..........

My dogs sit and watch TV with me when I'm home........ they love the animal stations (Meercats) and Funniest Animal Videos.... their even CSI buffs!!!

The sight and sound of humans on TV, plus them watching it would be entertaining and possibly comforting to them.....

Why I hadn't thought of that either, don't know.....

[BKOnce]

When I watch those dogs watching TVs, I still don't know what is really going on in their heads?.. Do they have human intellect or capable understanding what is going on? Do they feel sad, happy, surprised, excited, bewildered, fear, etc.,, when looking at those TV events??? Do they know what is going on?...or wonder why, what, who, etc.??... Still wondering myself till this day.

Wish I can be in their heads sometimes to know what they might think.

[HRx]

It's blistering cold outside up here in the northeast...if you own a dog or other domesticated animal for that matter keep them in the house!