View Full Version : Bella Did a Bad Thing!
Bella's Mom
05-26-2006, 12:02 PM
Little Miss Bella has free run of our family room and before yesterday we had no problems. All danger areas were secured and she only had access to the family room itself. We purchased a new sectional and a HUGE ottoman about two weeks ago. Bella being the little dachsie she is managed to figure out how to get on the ottoman. The ottoman had (notice how I said had) a good sized button in the middle. From the start Bella would go for it and I would give her little swat, tell her no and cover it up, put bitter apple on it, etc. Well she seemed to have lost interest in it which was a huge relief at the time. Well, I came home yesterday and what did I find??? The blanket that covered the ottoman pulled off and the button shredded, little wood pieces everywhere, a few staples laying about and what was left of the button hanging by two threads. :faint: I of course freak because I'm scared she ingested a staple or a piece of wood. I should've known something was up because she wouldn't come to greet me when I got home the little bugger. I checked her out and she seems fine and her eating and poops have been fine too so I don't think she ingested anything. So on with the story... DH comes in the room and is beyond angry! :mad1:He started yelling at her and I'm trying to get him to realize since it's already done she doesn't know why he's yelling at her. Don't get me wrong, I'm mad but it's done and you know she is a dog and that's what dogs do sometimes. Now here's the next problem. DH is now worried that since she can get on the ottoman and couch that she will dig at it and do more damage. Any suggestions on prevention or is it something that goes along with owning a little Diva that appears to get mad when we leave and takes it out on defenseless ottomans?? :scratch:
Wow, sounds like a big day at your house. We keep our 2 little hellions confined to the bedroom when we're gone.....no great advice, but sending lots of :pray: s and "good behavior":bigrayz: s your direction!
Courtney
05-26-2006, 12:09 PM
She is definitely not mad at you or trying to get back at you for leaving. This is your fault for leaving her unconfined. I would recommend crating her or gating her elsewhere.
:ditto: I really just think she was board and this was fun for her. You are right, you can't get mad at her after the fact because she will have no understanding of why you are mad.
She will need more confinement with an xpen and some baskets or in a crate while you are gone. Just work on it slowly over the weekend if it is a big adjustment for her. 15 minutes then to 1/2 hour then to an hour etc.
Sorry about your ottoman, but I do think she will keep going after it - it's like a giant stuffie...too much temptation calling her name.
I agree, crated or gated is the way to go. After Tasha's two attacks on my pillow, we now keep the bedroom door closed during the day!!
Michelle
05-26-2006, 12:55 PM
Oh Boy,, Bella is a bad bad girl,, really though, I think she just thinks of it as a stuffie,
I would consider crating her or an x-pen.. that would definately protect your new furniture and you wouldn't have to worry about her destroying anything else..
catstamm
05-26-2006, 01:20 PM
I'm trying not to laugh :rotfl: :rotfl: My daughter and I go around in circles because the dogs seem to get into her things and tear them up.....hummmm and who's fault is that? My daughter has had to buy (I bought the first one) 2 new retainers because of the dogs....and I yell at HER for not putting them away.....:shocked: :shocked:
quavec
05-26-2006, 01:27 PM
Cricket is a good dog - but he has earned out trust and seems to know that if he does slip up and chew the wrong thing, he will be back in confinement.
Lots of good behavior :pray: to Bella.
Bella's Mom
05-26-2006, 01:39 PM
Bella is normally a little angel :rolleyes: and ultimately it is our responsibility. It's a risk we took that backfired.:) We've only been in the new house for six weeks and she had her own "room" in the old one. The room was just Bella and her things no furniture, etc. She is of course crate trained and graduated to her x-pen during the day in the old house and then ultimately just a gate in the doorway of her room and zero problems. Then the move... which by the way went very smooth in regards to Bella. She seems to have adjusted well. We wanted to keep a room in the new house for guests and since we added twice the square footage and had the family room separate we thought what a great idea. She can run and play snooze when she wants.... and it went that way until "yesterday." :duh: The thing is I knew she had been eyeing that button! :doh: I hate to bring out the x-pen again but that may be what we have to do. :confused: I know I spoil her too much but she is such a sweetheart and that little face gets me to do whatever she wants. :angel7: Man I sound like a pushover!
Uh oh, I hear Cesar Millan coming!
Exercise first
Discipline
then the lovins!!
But seriously, are you taking Bella for a god (20-30 min) walk before you leave her alone? Tasha gets 30 min in the morning, and some playtime, so she's a bit tired out when we leave.
catstamm
05-26-2006, 02:11 PM
Well behaved???? the only one well behaved in my house is ME.....
Bella's Mom
05-26-2006, 02:18 PM
Uh oh, I hear Cesar Millan coming!
Exercise first
Discipline
then the lovins!!
But seriously, are you taking Bella for a god (20-30 min) walk before you leave her alone? Tasha gets 30 min in the morning, and some playtime, so she's a bit tired out when we leave.
We play ball with her every morning before we leave in our backyard. By the time we're done she snuggles into her chilly dog bed and is half asleep before we walk out the door. I think what could've happened was she got bored sometime during the day, remembered the "button" and thought hmmmm, mommy and daddy are gone lets just go check it out. Our motto has always been...a tired dog is a good dog... I will admit sometimes I don't think I discpline her enough or maybe I'm doing it wrong. I'm not a fan of yelling or harsh reprimands, it breaks my heart. I know, I know... I'll be breaking out the books again this weekend. I can't let her become dominant. :ashamed:
Sorry Bella got carried away, yep she was bored! Everything has been suggested to correct this. The longer the exercise time the better. Please consider purchasing the book "Cesar's Way" (The Dog Whisperer) at CostCo or your local book store. I'm a firm believer in his rehabilitation methods and best of all they work. Affection is great but do it at the right time.
The pack leader should remain calm and assertive at all times and no yelling. :)
LUVMYGUNNER
05-26-2006, 11:43 PM
I would gate her in one of your bathrooms. That is why Petunia is crated when we go out--she loves the electrical wires.
lotsadox
05-26-2006, 11:44 PM
The same with Scooter. He is crated at night and during the day when we leave. Cuts down on the damage to the house.
JanUet
05-27-2006, 10:07 AM
Well behaved???? the only one well behaved in my house is ME.....
:rotfl: :rotfl: :lol: :lol:
My 2 have full runof the house! They destroy nothing! And if they do....I get a huge newspaper...roll it up real tight...give it to Doug....So he can swat me over the head with it! I do the same for him!
They don't know that they are not suppose to de-stuff our furniture or eat our shoes! That has happened to me twice! I just laughed and said "I guess I really needed to get a new pair!" :rotfl: Casey just looked at me as If to say "You really didn't need those did ya Mom?"
Please keep her gated or x-penned if you don't trust her.
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