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06-26-2012, 09:14 AM | #1 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Utah
Posts: 452
| Modifying your house? I know I'm probably one of the most OCD people on this planet. I don't even know where I get it from, other than the fact that the house I grew up in was more like a museum than a home. My parents were both professional people and they always had nice things. You couldn't touch anything for fear of breaking, scratching or damaging something. I'm not nearly that bad, but I admit I have champagne taste on a beer budget. I've mad so many concessions in my home from baby gates to ex pens to spraying boundary on off limits areas every other day... the list goes on. My ex pen is kept in my formal dining room since it's got the room to accommodate it and they can be in the pen and still see you from there. However, Issy has learned to jump out of it at only 4 1/2 months old. Now normally, I wouldn't stress so much, but she's a destructive chewer. I thought she'd be through teething at this age and settle down, but she hasn't. In the meantime, I stood here yesterday and watched her jump out of the pen, meander around the room and take position to begin a chew festival on my dining table. So now I'm stressed. My dining table is only 6 months old from Bassett. NOT CHEAP! In fact, to be honest, it's irreplaceable at this stage of my life. It's one of those things you buy once and never again because of the investment. Obviously, the last thing I want is Issy reducing it to a pile of toothpicks. Any suggestions? This is uncharted territory for me. Gabby never did any of this stuff when she was a puppy. Other than my housebreaking woes, I think I have the perfect dog in her.
__________________ Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. Gina and the gang! |
Welcome Guest! | |
06-26-2012, 09:32 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | I have a soft side ex pen that has a zip-in mesh cover. Maybe that would solve the jumping out of the ex pen problem. You could try bitter apple spray on your table legs, I've had it work for some, not others so much.
__________________ ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~ |
06-26-2012, 09:58 AM | #3 |
Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida
Posts: 8,799
| Definitely some kind of topper on the ex pen. For her safety as well as your sanity Even if you were to do it on the cheap, you could use a shower curtain and some zip ties for now, and just use the little door to get them in and out. For chewing, someone here told me (can't remember who, this was almost 6 years ago ) to use a stick of cheap men's deodorant on any items that were being chewed. It WORKED and it did not damage the finish on the wood. Izzy was an aggressive chewer and she actually liked the bitter apple spray Wishing you luck! I know someone here will have a better answer for your ex pen dilemma
__________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna |
06-26-2012, 10:09 AM | #4 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Utah
Posts: 452
| My ex pen is a superyard XT. It's plastic and she's already started chewing on that. I've never seen a yorkie engage in so much destructive chewing. She's even taking up the plastic "floor" I put under it to protect my hardwoods. I did try the bitter apple stuff. Turned out it was a condiment to her. There's got to be something that works without damaging the wood.
__________________ Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. Gina and the gang! |
06-26-2012, 10:22 AM | #5 | |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | Quote:
I thought the Bitter Apple worked great. I'd leave Joey out of the pen and anything he chewed on, I'd douse with Bitter Apple. He learned very fast not to chew. I think it doesn’t work for some because they use too little too late and the dog has already learned to love that particular piece. I had plenty of chewing toys and sticks available for him to chew and this helps. By the way, the chewing everything continues as long as they are teething, and even after that. dogs do have a lifetime need to chew, so provide her with something.
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals Last edited by Nancy1999; 06-26-2012 at 10:24 AM. | |
06-26-2012, 11:39 AM | #6 | |
YT Addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: Douglasville, GA USA
Posts: 354
| Quote:
I'm glad the bitter apple worked for you-your theory might be right (why the bitter apple doesn't work) for some dogs, but there might be another answer. I am inclined to think that maybe some dogs just can't taste it, or it's a mind over matter thing. We coated EVERYTHING within puppy reach of that stuff daily, as soon as we brought him home, even our hands, and our dog just didn't care. It worked the first 3 days, then he must have gotten used to it. If she's confined to her pen, can't you give her something while she's in it to keep her attention? Puzzle toys, antlers, kongs, bully sticks? Jaeger is almost 7 months and has been much calmer about chewing things from maybe 4 monthish to now, but he's starting to get "mouthy" again. He's not really destroying the house as much as before but has started going after rocks and stuff now-I hear they go through a second phase of chewing around his age. | |
06-26-2012, 11:44 AM | #7 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,450
| My bedroom furniture is proof that it does not work for all of them.
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06-26-2012, 11:44 AM | #8 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ
Posts: 1,812
| I am a huge fan of Bitter Apple spray. My rescued golden, Buddy, reduced his previous home's furniture to rubble. He never damage chewed anything in my house- I bitter apple sprayed everything other than pet stuff (toys and bowls). My house tastes horrible to him. He doesn't even counter surf not either. I set him up- Placed smelly, yummy food on counter but sprayed it with bitter apple- He grabbed the food but it tasted bad so he then dropped it. I kept doing this with different items including egg omelet, meatloaf, ham, bacon. He will eat these items not only if given to him or put in his bowl.
__________________ Beware of Nestle Purina Cozy (4/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/08), Lucy (4/09); Buddy 4/09- Rescued 12/11); Mika ('98) & Tallulah ('00) RIP Harley 4/2009; Lucky 11/2010; Zoey 4/2012 |
06-26-2012, 11:46 AM | #9 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,450
| Until they are well over one year, they chew...at least that has been so in my experience. My advice is to keep her away from anything she can destroy. Whatever it takes...gates xpens with tops...whenever she is not supervised, she definitely should not have free roam.
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06-26-2012, 12:15 PM | #10 | |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Utah
Posts: 452
| Quote:
You have always been an infinite source of wisdom here. I've read so many of your posts and found them all to be helpful. My bedroom furniture is chewed as well. It has spawned probably the biggest fight between me and DH and I think he's making me just as crazy as Issy is. I've told him repeatedly "she can't run free. She can't be unsupervised. She can't have access to the rest of the house." and I've explained in great detail why. What does he do? He violates the rule. He feels bad for her for having to be confined, lets her out of her pen and takes a nap with her on the bed. It's happened on more than one occasion. Now, both posts on my foot board are chewed beyond repair. Just that piece of the bed will cost $1100 to replace. You can imagine how furious I was with him. It's not completely her fault. He let her do it. I can train a dog. Now I gotta figure out how to train DH. I've explained to him the easiest way to break a bad habit is to never allow one to formulate in the first place. I know I sound like a mean, evil person who loves her home more than anything else, but the truth of the matter is, I kinda do. I worked so hard for more than 20 years and I understand that what I have now is all I get in life. So I'd better take care of it and appreciate it while I have it. My home can accommodate a puppy. It did with Gabby. But provisions have to be made to protect both the house and the dog. Eating cherry wood can't be healthy for them. So how do we train our spouses?
__________________ Never argue with stupid people. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. Gina and the gang! | |
06-26-2012, 12:24 PM | #11 | |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,450
| Quote:
So, I can only blame myself for damages to my home. After my last puppy left, I had to replace six window sills and have two door frames repaired. The one before her killed the baseboards all over...oh...and I forgot the wood blinds. The furniture is going to eventually have to be replaced, but I just live with it for now.
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06-26-2012, 01:44 PM | #12 | |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
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06-26-2012, 03:52 PM | #13 | |
Therapy Yorkies Work Donating Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Central, Florida
Posts: 3,863
| Quote:
Also, I am a big believer in tethering. I often recommend that Pups should be crated or tethered until they are potty trained and know the house rules. Most Puppies will chew until they are about a year old and can not be trusted to stay out of trouble. It helps if all of you use the same cue words, like Stop, No Way,or No ! when correcting and redirecting chewing behavior. Bitter Apple has not worked very often for me. But then I am usually called after, a puppy has already developed bad chewing habits. I have suggested using rolled up clean socks to toss at a chewing puppy, spraying them with a quick squirt of water while giving the cue word NO. I like using x-pens and washable pee-pads for older puppies who do not have a stay at home parent. Even adult Yorkies should not be expected to 'hold it' more than 4 hours. Just my opinion. I hope some of our ideas will help you. Best wishes T
__________________ Teresa & Rubin, Gracie, Abba, Ginny Joy and Julia Rose Act like a dog, be kind, forgiving, and loyal. | |
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