Learning The Basics
Today I realized why exactly I got rid of our first dog. We can’t teach them the basics.
I got out of the shower this morning to find Ethan & Parker on the couch. Ethan playing with toys and the dog was munching of stuffing. Yes, the pillow. When I asked Ethan if he noticed the dog eating the pillow for breakfast he said he did. The next logical question was why he didn’t stop the dog.
Oh wait, he tried he said. “I told her to stop.” Powerful kid.
I know dogs go through these kind of stages until you yell & beat them enough to scare them and they eventually stop. I think they have some fancy name for accomplishing it? Obedience training.
Lately Parker is pushing the dog bone so to speak. My biggest issue is the trash in the bathroom. What is it with dogs digging in the trash and chewing on paper? The fact she can jump up and unroll the toilet paper then take off running with it in her mouth tee-peeing the damn house is ridiculous.
One week a month she gets to gnaw on plastic applicators. Yes, it’s a bit embarrassing to find one under the couch when you have company over and their 2 year old picks it up like a toy. Lovely.
Between the stuffing, the plastic and the paper we save a ton on dog food!
I’m definitely looking into that fancy training. We don’t have high expectations. I could care less if Parker can roll over or sit on command. I want a class that teaches her to stay out of the trash, get in her cage when I say to and and stop eating things. Do you think they can just teach her the basics? Maybe there’s a book for keeping your dog off the short bus.
My name is Emily. I’m 30 years old. I have often been told that I ask a lot of questions, but I think I have more to say than ask.
While this post is great, a close second is the google ad below that says “Are You Killing Your Dog?”
Thanks so much for the kind words chez moi. You, m’dear are welcome back any time. Margaritas are on me.
Not that you asked, but buy a trashcan with a lid for the bathroom. And the kitchen. And, well, basically all your trash cans. Once they start that behavior, it’s really hard to un-teach it.
You don’t need fancy training - just training. Your dog will be happier with it, and you will too.
For far better advice, have you tried http://doggoneblog.typepad.com/dog_gone_blog/
? It’s Mrs. Chicky’s dog blog. Good stuff.
Good luck!
It’s because our bathroom trash can is so short. She only gets in it. Our last dog had these same habits….only she wasn’t as cute as Parker!!!
I was going to suggest chicky too, and what about sr dog whisperer?
I just don’t get a dog, I’m worried enough about keeping myself off the short bus. I second Canape, Mrs. Chicky is wicked smaht.
I’m steadfastly not adding anything else to my household that poops.
This is my pledge.
I feel your pain. We just got a puppy. /sigh.
There is something that draws the dogs to the most embarrassing pieces of trash, isn’t there?
Think I can get a training class to teach an 11 year-old dog to stop eating my children’s dinner? I’d like to think I’d pay good money for that.
what dog doesn’t eat paper! the best is when i’m crying and expressing myself and then the dog puts her paw up on the coffee table, does her best to “grab” a kleenex with her paw, puts it in her mouth and runs away to rip it up.
always makes me stop the sobbing and turn it to laughter.
since my dog always manages to try and eat my panties, i guess the tampon is logical.
ick!
I knew my ears were ringing for a reason. Or maybe it was my spidey sense. Doggy sense? Whatever. Someone starts talking about dogs and it’s like sending out the bat signal. I’m here for you.
Get thee to some obedience training, woman. And, as I tell all my students, treat your home as if you had a really busy toddler running around. Put everything chewable really high or hide it behind locked doors until your dog is better trained. Not even kidding.
[…] reminded me in the comments of the last post on our dog of yet another issue we have with Parker. Seems out little female pup might be batting for the […]