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Just as I was patting myself on the back for discovering that getting enough exercise in the morning meant that Bailey would NOT chew things during the day, a whole other set of circumstances blew up on me.
For the record, Bailey played at the dog park for over an hour yesterday, from 12:30pm till almost 2:00pm. At 3:00pm, we left for the boys’ double header indoor soccer game. I left out a Kong Wobbler filled with treats and was confident that we’d come home to an unmolested house.
Now, I don’t know if it was because it was close to dinner time, it got dark while we were gone, or the neighbors were all out working on their Xmas lights, but, in only two hours, he had attacked a photo album, chosen out of five others on the bookshelf (See last photo below).
Although no actual photos (it was the boys’ BABY album) were destroyed, Scott and I were both freaking out a bit, as we thought we had this problem licked last week, with lots of exercise. Also, we have a LOT of photo albums. We have NEVER smacked Bailey, but, as he still had the album in his mouth, Scott whacked him on the ass with his hand. Bailey seemed unfazed, but Evan refused to speak to his father for the rest of the night. I wasn’t thrilled either, but we were both pretty frustrated.
Other possible variables might include the fact that he was boarded Wednesday and Thursday which may have resulted in an exaggerated response when we ALL left yesterday. He had already rested an hour from the dog park — not enough of a proximity effect? Who knows?
He has TONS of toys, including some that hold snacks. I leave a TV on. The doors are shut to most of the house (boys’ rooms, bathrooms, basement, laundry room), and that really limits his options.
See HERE for why the dog is no longer crated….that’s a WHOLE other business.
In order, below, are the items he has destroyed since mid-October. Some common themes will jump RIGHT out at you, and we think we know what he prefers, too. Anything I forgot to take a pciture of is represented by a pic I pulled from online. I KNOW it could be worse. I refuse to even commit to paper/blog the items we are thrilled that he HASN’T showed any interest in…YET. It’s the not knowing when he’s going to go THERE that has us a little frantic.
ADDIDAS FLIP FLOP — Just the top
CORK-BACKED COASTER
WORDPRESS FOR DUMMIES and MLA MANUAL OF STYLE — I appreciate the irony here.
CARDBOARD TISSUE BOX COVER, TISSUE BOX, and TISSUES
LAMPSHADE pulled of nightstand — lamp and bulb UNDAMAGED!
PICTURE FRAME off of dining room buffet – Glass INTACT, vintage pic of grandmother gone (that was a little disappointing).
And last, but certainly not least….
The aforementioned PHOTO ALBUM. This was the only item he was “caught” with. Otherwise, when I/we get home, he’s calmly laying in the front window — with whatever he’s gotten into spread out on the kitchen floor. And he’s not even destructive EVERY time he’s at home and hasn’t gone for a run recently.
I tried a FEW different things today, plus a run at the park. I’ll be posting the results this evening. Cross your fingers for me!
squirrel circus 
Captain Destructo loves to chew that is for sure. My former Queen of the house, Pumpkin did as well. Books were her favorite, but luckily I could always close off the rooms with bookcases and I learned quick to take all books off tables when leaving the house. Could you gate him a room or would he escape being that Huskies are notorious escape artists? I love the name Captain Destructo. I call my husband, Captain Distracto.
Now the good news is that Miss P did outgrow her habit by about three or four. I don’t think my husband is going to outgrow his habit at this point. I think you are right, it was based on anxiety from being at the kennel.
Ha! When we tried closing him in a “room” last winter, he pulled out the doorknob, ate the linoleum, and chewed about 2 feet of door frame.
My friends at the dog park seem to think that turning two (in May) will be some sort of turning point. I certainly hope so!
You know, you just made me appreciate my dogs. They potty in the house all the time, which I hate, but at least they don’t chew. Steve and Catdog are very grateful to Captain Destruction for making them look good 🙂
I just gave you a blog award – enjoy! http://momentsofexhilaration.com/2011/11/28/my-very-first-blogging-award/
First off — THANKS for the award! Will work on passing it on soon 🙂
The Captain is equally grateful to Steve and Catdog because he never messes in the house and I guess that’s what I need to be THANKFUL for today! Ha ha.
My cat Loki, decided early on in his career that he was fond of all things rubber. This manifested itself by his consuming all the flanges off the interlocking exercise flooring in our back room. The flanges were so small we didn’t notice until he “returned” them all to us at once, necessitating an emergency trip to the Vet to make sure he wasn’t holding out on us.
I have since learned to keep all rubber bands, rubber soled shoes, and cheap purses out of his path of destruction. Maeve, on the other hand, seems to prefer expensive wool yarn! Once you figure out what Bailey’s target is, let us know!
So far — I’m leaning towards substantially thick cardboard and/or pressed wood products. That last one is a little scary, considering more than a few of our home decor items meet that criteria (including the corner desk I’m sitting at RIGHT now!
Oh no. One of my dogs is a super nervous guy, and he was SUCH a chewer when we first brought him home. A non-exaustive list of things he destroyed included a picture frame, an Xbox headset, two remotes, batteries, the carpet, a box of tampons, a comforter, the cable cord, the bottom of the bathroom door, and our clothes drying rack.
He doesn’t do it anymore. I wish I could tell you why. I upped exercise, left the TV on when we left, made sure nothing was anywhere in his vicinity. I’m not sure what worked, or if that was all just a fluke. He will still slip up and eat any paper or napkins I leave out, though. Good luck with the chewing. 😦
Aww, thanks! Almost everyone I’ve talked to says that the chewing subsides around the age of two. Come back to check the Captain’s Log (page) to see how we’re doing. 🙂
Oh boy. After cleaning up dog diarrhea all weekend and reading this, all I can say is that these animals are lucky that we love them so much!
Yes indeedy, I am SO glad we haven’t had to deal with that in a while. I’ve heard that quite a few dogs get upset tummies over the holidays because well-meaning visitors give them table food. Never thought of that, but it definitely happened to a friend. Her mom always feeds their dog on the sly.
As far as being lucky we love them so much, I say that about the kids sometimes, too! Ha ha.
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