Looking for new ideas

zanytactics · 09-02-2009, 10:52 AM

Hi All!

Here's my situation. I have 3 dogs, a boxer who has major anixety do to the loss of her mate (I currently have her on rescue remedy to ease), she is trying to do what ever she can to get out of the yard. We now have the ex pens nailed around the fence line to the actual fence because she was destroying the wood and breaking out. And the Digging is out of control!

I also have a pit mix who's very playful and a mini Aussie puppy and the two of them love to rip out my plants! I'm down to two left.

I don't know how to keep them from digging and ripping the plants out. These dogs do get excercise but when no body's home the reak havock on the back yard.

Any ideas? It's kind of hard to punish them when no one is there to catch them in the act.

**Criosphynx** · 09-02-2009, 11:16 AM

can you get them good and tired before you leave? You may have to invest in a dog kennel or think about keeping them indoors in crates when your gone. Even the best trained dogs will act out if they are bored

Mikey · 09-02-2009, 12:15 PM

Sorry to hear of the loss of your boxer's friend.

I'd step up the exercise-when they are exhausted they cannot worry and destruct-take them bicycling or roller blading. Exercise before you leave in the morning and when you get home and again if needed. Get a ball or a laser pointer and wear them out in the yard again.

For digging, I made one spot in my garden where my dog is allowed to dig. He does and does it nowhere else. There are digging sprays you can buy (This Works For Us: <i>No-Dig! Lawn & Yard Spray 16 oz.</i> - Pet Organics No Dig Lawn & Yard Spray 16oz - Epinions.com) It worked for my parent's, and a few people I know-might be worth a try.

Digging is natural so see if you can provide one spot (fence a sandbox in and encourage digging there?) that they are allowed to dig in.

**fawkese1** · 09-02-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey

Sorry to hear of the loss of your boxer's friend.

I'd step up the exercise-when they are exhausted they cannot worry and destruct-take them bicycling or roller blading. Exercise before you leave in the morning and when you get home and again if needed. Get a ball or a laser pointer and wear them out in the yard again.

For digging, I made one spot in my garden where my dog is allowed to dig. He does and does it nowhere else. There are digging sprays you can buy (This Works For Us: <i>No-Dig! Lawn & Yard Spray 16 oz.</i> - Pet Organics No Dig Lawn & Yard Spray 16oz - Epinions.com) It worked for my parent's, and a few people I know-might be worth a try.

Digging is natural so see if you can provide one spot (fence a sandbox in and encourage digging there?) that they are allowed to dig in.

this is a great idea. you can hide treats and toys in the sandbox too and it will help with anxiety and boredom. i would also recommend tiring them out as well. they won't have as much energy to be destructive. you could also try hiding different toys and chewies in the yard for the dogs to find. there are a lot of toys meant to stimulate your dog and i have had success with the following: any kind of puzzle ball (fill with treats/or i just put the dry portion of my dogs food in them) there are "kong" dispensers that will release up to 4 treat filled kongs at different intervals throughout the day. there are also toys called "talk to me" (you record your own voice) that dispense treats and play your voice when the dog plays with it and the "babble ball" (just makes a bunch of random noises when your dog plays with it). if it is warm enough where you live you could try a kiddie pool with different floating and sinking toys in it. the idea is to give them something to distract them, and to give them stuff that is appropriate to chew on. you could also try spraying your plants with bitter apple...i don't know if it will be good for the plants but it may deter the dogs from chewing on them.

**Criosphynx** · 09-02-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fawkese1

you could also try spraying your plants with bitter apple...i don't know if it will be good for the plants but it may deter the dogs from chewing on them.

This does work, I can vouch for it...my cats will eat my houseplants otherwise..

they are kind enough to let me know by yacking them up. yay me.

**fawkese1** · 09-02-2009, 03:50 PM

mmmm.....cat yack.....

zanytactics · 09-02-2009, 10:21 PM

I've been thinking bout getting a bike for some time now. Roller blading would be fun but I'd rather not fall flat on my face, which is what I think might happen. I'm gonna look into the bike thing, Then I'll have to figure out how to excercise all 3 and ride a bike, since I only have sidwalks near me. AHHH I'll figure it out, just re arrange my schedule to go somewhere before work to ride.

My cats love to tear up boxes!

**Criosphynx** · 09-02-2009, 10:26 PM

Honestly I think the blades are easier...I'd taken up to four dogs at once on blades...you just kinda crouch down....

using a bike with even one...the idea scares me for som' reason, I just envision a dog leash stuck in a bike chain and me on the ground.. :P

Mine think boxes are heavenly...wierd cats

**fawkese1** · 09-03-2009, 01:54 PM

attaching wheels to my body scares the $#!^ outta me, but i do think that for many other people the roller blades would be easier. i've never taken more than one dog on a bike ride at a time, but i've been pulled off my bike several times. i was very lucky with clover b/c he is so attentive ( he watches my front tire and is very responsive to vocal cues so i was able to teach him to "stop") you might want to start out just walking the dog w your bike between you and the dog to see how he/she responds. also they make leash holder things that you can attach to your bike, but they scare me! i would rather not be wrapped around a post with my bike and my dog if he accidently goes the wrong way around something!