Chewing everything!

Shellgaz · Old Hand

Chewing everything!

max · Enlightened One

Shelley , Sorry to hear what is happening Saffron ,when we first got Sasha she was in the kitchen to and started chewing the door ,lino etc. The only cure that we found besides the usual treat balls, toys, radio and things was a large cage , it protected the house and also she felt a lot more secure, we covered three side,s of the cage with covers and left food and water and a small toy as well as leaving the radio on and door of room open so she could still see our other hound walking about she still does not like being left, but at least I know she is safe and secure. Hope this helps.

Nora. p.s. as for the growling over food you pretend to eat from the bowl first then make her sit or lie down before she is rewarded with her dinner, half way through take her bowl away then follow the same routine then give her it back telling her what a good girl she is, might help as it lets her know you are in control of when she eats.As for her taking the childrens food a loud NO and tell her to lie down may work ,do not give her titbits as it is her calling the shots. After the children have finished tell her good girl and give her a dog biscuit after being made to sit then lots of praise.

-- Edited by max at 11:00, 2005-11-24

Shellgaz · Old Hand

Thanks for the advice. I would have done the thing with her food but I am really scared that she will snap at me. My husband isn't worried about this so maybe I will get him to do that bit! I do tell her 'no' when she pinches food but she just looks at me like I am stupid and does it again. I can tell that she has not been trained in her previous environment so sit and lie down just falls on deaf ears. I am not a quiet person so I don't think she is assuming that I am too soft to discipline her, but I do feel that she is pushing her bounderies to see what is what. I guess I will have to try and start training her. Not easy with a one year old, a two year old and four more older kids to sort out too! I must be a glutton for punishment!

C_J · Master

When I first got Casper I had a few problems with him stealing from my 2 year olds highchair. When I told Casper to lie down he would just do the same to me - look at me as though he was saying "as if!". What I did was if he didn't listen to me I would put him outside the room and close the door. I would then let him in after a few minutes and tell him again to lie down. Every time he disobeyed me I would put him out for a few minutes. It took a lot of perseverance on my part, getting up and down all the time during meals, but he soon learned to lie down while we are eating and he now knows he gets a treat when we are all finished so he is happy to do as he's told. I also had to train my son with a sticker chart to stop him feeding Casper too! It was harder to train Aedan than Casper!!

I am no expert, and I don't know if this is the right thing to do but it worked for me!
Jane

JanW · Master

I agree with the removing from the room during mealtimes technique. We did this with Ruby and it worked a treat as the worst thing for her is to be excluded from the "pack"

I did have a few cold dinners while the training was ongoing though!

Similarly she always has to do something to get food or a treat - normally this is a sit. So even if she REALLY wants to get something she just "sits" insistently.

Shellgaz · Old Hand

I will try the getting her to lie down thing while we are eating. I think our main problem is not having a dining room (we all have to eat on our laps) so there is no place high enough for the kids to escape the food monster! We have fostered my sisters little girl, so we had to give up our dining room to make another bedroom.

On a seperate note, I am sure I read somewhere that greys can't sit very well due to their shape and its best to teach them to lie down? Maybe someone can put me straight!

Missy · Master

Hi

Its not easy trying to get a greyhound to sit some do some don't. Getting them to lie down is the best road to go.

Alteratively IF you can ... put the pooch in the kitchen but IF you can't trust her then the option of a dog gate where she can still see you without being totally locked out. Once everyone has finished their meals then let her into the livingroom. We do this sometimes particularly IF we are eating before the dogs. We also have a water gun to hand and IF our dogs approach anyone eating then they get a blast of cold water. They have learned to lie down naturally without being told to lie down with using the water gun.

So guess I'm saying that you have more options.

Katrina

dannyboy · Old Hand

When we had the pups they had no manners at all at meal times, what I used to do was put their lead on and tie it around my foot so that the pup lay down on the floor, I then had my dinner without a pup on my lap! I only had to do this a few times until they got the message that they had to lie on the floor when we were eating, it did work and I didn't have to do much telling off and meal times were less stressful for all of us!

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Shelley, I'll just throw my hat into the ring here, you've raised a large number of issues with Saffron.

Firstly the chewing, it's interesting you say she even chews when you are in the same room as her, have you had her teeth examined? It's pretty rare for a dog with a chewing problem to actually do it in front of their owner so I'd have a good look at her teeth (or better still get a vet to do it)

Secondly the chewing and howling when left, from your post it seems you shut her in the kitchen? You got a couple of options here, I'd be tempted to give her more freedom when you leave her, obviously can't comment on the set up in your house but in the past we've seen good improvements when a dog is given a bit more freedom when left. Where is her bed? If she has a nice cosy spot or bed of her own that she likes to sleep on it may be that she wants to go there when you are out rather than being in the kitchen. The other alternative is pretty much on the opposite end of the scale and that is to use an indoor crate, I guess the idea is actually similar, the crate (during the times when you are in) becomes the dog's refuge, they get used to being in there and are accepting of it when you do leave.

There's a lot more in depth info about dealing with Seperation Anxiety which is too much to go into right now but if you email our follow up co-ordinator Carole carole@gal.org.uk che'll happily talk you through these other techniques

The feeding - To be honest I'd be more concerned over this behaviour, you say you are scared of her, well thats just the worst thing to be! Dogs, and hounds in particular are very sensitive to peoples moods and Saffy will know you are scared, please try not to be, greyhounds are big wimps, she's unlikely to snap. She is just testing boundaries and now is the time to draw some lines and lay down the ground rules, decide what these rules are and stick to them (I mean stuff like allowing access to sofas, her being petted on your terms not hers, that sort of thing) You must be firm and not allow her to 'rule the roost'.

Training - don't expect Saffy to sit, most Greyhound don't, don't expect her to lie down, most Greyhounds like comfy and won't do this to command either. Finally don't expect her to understand what 'NO' means, she doesn't understand english (yet) Please do start training her as soon as you can, remember she is a clean slate, find a good class and take her clicker training, as a stop gap Viv has produced a training guide and if you PM me with your address I'll get one to you, one VERY important command is 'Leave It' and this is what you need to teach Saffy out of her theaving ways, it's very easy to teach and very effective.

Think thats me for now, sorry for being so brief but there's a lot of things happening here and a lot to address and for you to digest. Remember you re not alone, we're all here to help...

cheers

Dave

Shellgaz · Old Hand

Thanks for all the advice..... You have given me some great pointers, I will try to train her and hopefully she will get some manners!

xxxx

emma · Guru

Shelley,

Have just read your post, you sound as if you are struggling a bit now but i am sure with a bit of time and patience things will improve.

If you find it hard taking the food bowl off her try the water gun (a plant sprayer will do) you are not hurting her just shocking her.

Chad used to try to steal our dinner off the table (someone had to be on guard) when we first got him - a few squirts (just twice) and he leaves us alone and knows to go to his bed when we eat. You could also try giving her some dinner to keep her busy while you eat. Tiger used to cock his leg and I only sprayed him two or three times (he never wees indoors now).

If you can rule out a dental problem with the chewing then short of putting mustard on the door frames I don't know what else may work. Charlie was a chewer when left alone and I am afraid the only answer was a crate. This becomes like a bed for the dog and you can just shut the door if you have to go out.

He cured himself at a later date when we got Tiger, I would seriously consider getting a second dog because they are company and don't seem to behave so badly when you have more together! Two dogs are really no more work than one!

Best of Luck, I hope things improve soon, believe me I remember what having your house wrecked by a greyhound looks like! Em Tig and Chad X

-- Edited by emma at 23:45, 2005-12-10

Shellgaz · Old Hand

Thanks Em,

You always come along with the calm sensible answers.... stops me feeling so flappy! I have decided to use a soft muzzle and it seems to be working. It means that I can go out and leave Saff on my bed which she likes much better than being left in the kitchen. I am definately going to get a water pistol too, I agree that it probably won't take long for her to get the idea. She has started trying to wee in the house too....could be something to do with the cold weather! She also has a lovely new coat which means she is happier about going out for walks.

I did consider that I might not be a good enough owner for her and was going to try and rehome her but we can't do it... we need to be committed to her and we love her loads.

I am sure things will settle, I will keep you informed!

xxxx

Teresa · Enlightened One

As Em says..........

"I would seriously consider getting a second dog because they are company and don't seem to behave so badly when you have more together! Two dogs are really no more work than one!"

I learnt this from having my previous two dogs and would never have one on its own now. They are definitely good company for each other and are less likely to cause damage.

Teresa, xx

Missy · Master

daves_mum wrote:

As Em says..........
"I would seriously consider getting a second dog because they are company and don't seem to behave so badly when you have more together! Two dogs are really no more work than one!"
I learnt this from having my previous two dogs and would never have one on its own now. They are definitely good company for each other and are less likely to cause damage.
Teresa, xx

Well said. I have to agree here two dogs are always better than one. Thats why I now have four !!!!

Viv · Old Hand

I have to confess, I'm getting a little concerned about some of the problems people are encountering with their dogs.

I read the 'behaviour problems' regularly, but feel some of the mails require more attention that can be provided via email and end up not saying anything. The replies vary from quite sensible to, dare I say, well meaning but possibly way off the mark (diving for cover!).

If anyone is interested I would be happy to do an afternoons talk and discussion on 'behaviour problems' with a large Q & A session. This of course would have to be discussed and arranged with 'GAL', but if you fancy it, let us know.

Cheers,

Viv

greyluvver · GAL Membership Co-Ordinator

Sounds great Viv, but unfortunately there are people on this forum seeking advice who live as far away as England!!

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Viv, sounds like a great idea! As Lita says a lot of the requests for behavioural help recently have come from our friends south of the border HOWEVER it's us guys up here posting (well meaning) messages of support and help. I think a little talk and Q&A session would be fab! I'll be in touch!!

Viv · Old Hand

Brill!

I was hoping you'd be ok with it Dave! I couldn't help taking a bit of a liberty.

In the meantime, I will put up a topic for anyone to list what questions they would like to discuss when we arrange the event.

Cheers,

Viv

emma · Guru

Viv,

What a wonderful idea, but as I am one of the people who lives in England I will not be able to attend. If Dave or Viv or someone could post the Q and A after the date I would be (as others would I am sure) be more than grateful!!!!!

Some of the things they do are just so puzzling to us all and i am sure you could enlighten us all making us better owners along the way!

Em, Tig and Chad XX

Viv · Old Hand

Hi Em,

Sorry you won't be able to make it up to Scotland. Maybe Dave might be able to put together something afterwards.

In the meantime, you could order 'the booklet', either from the GAL shop or www.livewithyourdog.co.uk The clicker training is useful for improving dog's cognitive skills which has a knock on effect on behaviour. For example: the clicker clearly indicates what you require and can be essential in cases of remedial behaviour work.

If only we COULD read their thoughts! Unfortunately we can only rely on science.

Cheers, Viv.