We battened down the hatches and weathered Hurricane Irene, but somehow we weren’t prepared for Hurricane Delilah.
Delilah has continued in her seek and destroy mission. Lately she has been targeting the recycling items. I have a tendency to wash out the recycles and let them sit on the end of counter, I know bad form Jodi. I set her up to fail.
This morning Hubby asked, “Did you have any little square brown treats in a plastic bag?”
“Yes.”
“Where were they?”
“On top of the refrigerator.”
“Hmmmm, it seems Delilah has a little help in her demolition work.”
I know for a fact Delilah CANNOT get on top of the refrigerator, besides I am her alibi, she really was with me all night; curled up at the bottom of the bed.
Now I wonder if she really has been the one instigating all the destruction, I know for sure she has been the destroyer on some items, but has she been the one getting up on the counter? I’m not really sure.
Our daughter and her family were staying with us in the beginning of the week because they lost electricity, my SIL came home to find Delilah’s thyroid bottle chewed and pills all over the floor! He picked up what was left and alerted me. I immediately called the vet, Dr. Soutter actually chuckled! Thankfully she hadn’t eaten enough pills to harm herself, we skipped her evening medication and her next morning dose and she was fine.
She was also running off on our walks. I thought perhaps the change in the household had thrown her off, but they went home Wednesday. Yesterday morning I opened the pantry to get a bit of oil for my salad and look what Delilah did.
Yup, that’s a can of Crisco.
Last night I came home to this.
A full box of tissues, a beef broth container, a Pomi tomato container and what was left in the salt canister.
I’m beginning to wonder if she isn’t having separation anxiety. She usually hangs wherever I am, and can sometimes be clingy, but I don’t get the running off bit if she has separation anxiety.
Last night we had her in the field on the 30 foot leash and she was so well-behaved. We even dropped the leash to let her play with her bumper and she came back every time.
It was almost as if she liked being on the leash.
Thoughts, comments, suggestions?
This is the Saturday morning BlogHop, hop…hop.
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2011/09/the-saturday-pet-blogger-hop-doggone-fishing/
I am no trainer, but I would say keep that check cord (leash) on for some time (months maybe). Then now and again (after she is coming back consistently) take it off and see if her running off/recall improves. It is like the e-collar. You will notice that our dogs always have it on while training, even though they rarely get corrections. However, at a test they cannot wear any collar but they still do the work. The idea is to have the ability to correct the dog (grab the check cord) during training, until the behavior is drummed into their doggie heads. Also I could not hear if you praised her when she came back. You petted her, but over-top-praise really helps. You will notice in the second video I posted how his handler really praises Thunder. You may even want to praise the behavior specifically with something like “good here” or what ever you want to call it along with big time praise.
The eating I do not know….I’m worried she will eat something that will really hurt her. Have you thought of a crate when you can’t watch her? Our dogs stay crated when we cannot watch them (for their own safety).
Thank you for the cord advice, that is how I am handling it right now! Yes she was getting praised but not over the top, I will try that.
As for the eating that is what I am worried about too! I do have a crate and will definitely crate her! I appreciate your thoughts. 🙂
2browndawgs really summed it up in their comment! Yes, would absolutely go over the top with praise, after all everyone loves to hear when they have done a good job 🙂
The eating thing is very baffling, I see you mentioned Delilah’s thyroid bottle so I wonder if that has anything to do with it? I know in people thyroid can really cause havoc even when on medication. Hope things start getting better with her soon as far as the eating things she shouldn’t.
I didn’t think about the thyroid! She did have it checked in June, but I can call the vet and see what they think.
Thanks Misty!!
Sometimes, we humans just read too deeply into things.
I think Delilah was just about to surprise you by baking a cake AND preparing an entire wonderful meal. The tissues are because she was getting all choked up on the sweetness of their efforts.
Even though your company left, she’ probably having a little separation anxiety – if she bonded with them, she probably isn’t sure what’s going on without them now. But what do I know… She’s awfully cute with the Crisco can in her mouth…
That is a very sweet seniment Pibble; Delilah however would NEVER bake a cake, she is too impatient and would eat the ingredients before tossing them together.
Looks like you’re getting some pretty good advice. I sure can see how she charms you even after a destructive episode. Some dogs just take longer than others. Hang in there. She’s definitely worth it!
Big Al, she’s so adorable. Even when I saw that Crisco can and took out the camera her tail was still slowly wagging and she was looking sheepishly at me. It was so cute!
Hee hee. I feel your pain. 🙂
Yes, you can understand!!
Delilah should hang out with me. I can teach her a few more tricks. -Bongo
Bongo, thanks but no thanks, Delilah makes her own kind of trouble!
Adorable photo with the crisco! too cute.
Our Maggie Mae use to do such antics when she was in a ‘mood’. I know it sounds crazy, but I could almost swear when she was upset with us, felt like she did not have enough attention, Sadie was getting all the lovin’, her tennis ball was lost, whatever the trigger was, she would be almost passive aggressive. She would find things she knew she was not to have and rip through them. If she was upset enough, she would even ‘target’ the one she was most upset with…example…we have tons of books on shelves and tables around here. She would go for the favorites! She would pull them from a shelf. It happened most when she was in her ‘teenage’ years…no joke! Craziness! I’m sure Miss Delilah is just being a curious pup…but then again, could she be a rebellious teen? Lol
I think you might have hit upon something there! People will tell you that dogs don’t do that, but I disagree. She doesn’t do it when she’s happy! LOL