I've been buying a few outside/active play toys for Eva to use this summer when she is at my house. This is one of them, a Little Tykes basket ball hoop. She loves it and got to put one ball through the basket.
Then Ozzie got the ball away from her and now it looks like this:
In about 10 seconds he did that. Maybe less. In my backyard there is a graveyard of dead balls Ozzie has killed.
He destroyed this one before Eva even got to put her little hands on it.
I feel so sorry for that child. He wants any personal object that belongs to her so he can chew it up. I can't tell you how many little toys he has mangled to smithereens. And now he has moved on to eating her bottles and sippy cups. I don't leave them laying around, honestly. He actually got up on the counter and got this one and ruined it.
Do you have any words of advice? Aside from taking Ozzie to the pet rescue center? In particular, do any of you know of a ball that is dog proof? The baby needs to be able to play with a ball without the dog eating it up within seconds of it coming into the house.
Here is how he has been occupying himself while I write this. Maybe a home for deliquent dogs isn't such a bad idea.
70 responses to “Arrrggggh. My Dog is SO Annoying.”
How could someone so cute be so annoying! Perhaps someone at a pet store, or your vet’s office, would have a suggestion for this problem. Or you might have to buy the toys in double – one for Eva and one for Ozzie!
How could someone so cute be so annoying! Perhaps someone at a pet store, or your vet’s office, would have a suggestion for this problem. Or you might have to buy the toys in double – one for Eva and one for Ozzie!
Oh oh. That is one jealous puppy! Just hope he doesn’t take it out on the baby if he can’t find a ball or toy to destroy. There must be some kind of behavior modification program for delinquent dogs somewhere! Good luck!
Oh oh. That is one jealous puppy! Just hope he doesn’t take it out on the baby if he can’t find a ball or toy to destroy. There must be some kind of behavior modification program for delinquent dogs somewhere! Good luck!
It’s hard to stay mad at that face, isn’t it? Had a cockapoo like that…he was competing for attention…and got it (negative attention is better than none). I’m no expert, but I think he will want whatever Eva has. There are lots of good articles online about dog behavior that may help. Good luck!
It’s hard to stay mad at that face, isn’t it? Had a cockapoo like that…he was competing for attention…and got it (negative attention is better than none). I’m no expert, but I think he will want whatever Eva has. There are lots of good articles online about dog behavior that may help. Good luck!
At the pet store here (think it was PetCo) we got a stuffed animal for our new Westie (adopted him in July 2012) because it was advertised as “indestructible”. . . .so far, except for a little tear in a seam, it has survived.
Usualy stuffed animals didn’t last 2 minutes in our house.
Perhaps you could get Ozzie one of those toys so that he would leave the little ones things alone?
Or get each of them one so that Ozzie thinks he stole a “good one”?
Good luck.
At the pet store here (think it was PetCo) we got a stuffed animal for our new Westie (adopted him in July 2012) because it was advertised as “indestructible”. . . .so far, except for a little tear in a seam, it has survived.
Usualy stuffed animals didn’t last 2 minutes in our house.
Perhaps you could get Ozzie one of those toys so that he would leave the little ones things alone?
Or get each of them one so that Ozzie thinks he stole a “good one”?
Good luck.
I agree that Ozzie is behaving like a jealous older sibling. Since he may not listen to reason, I wish you good luck in behavior modification!
Perhaps the (maybe) indestructible dog toy is a good start. My father used to employ a squirt gun to “shoot” misbehaving dogs and most of those dogs didn’t like that one bit. They learned not to bother the things that caused them to be squirted. I realize spraying water inside your home is less that ideal, but if push comes to shove …!
I wonder if the simplest measure is to put Ozzie outside when Miss E is playing with her toys, then put the toys away in a closet or lidded toy box before Ozzie comes back indoors. A cake tin or plastic shoe box could safely protect the bottles and sippy cups in the kitchen.
Hope you find a workable solution to this annoying problem!
Hugs!
I agree that Ozzie is behaving like a jealous older sibling. Since he may not listen to reason, I wish you good luck in behavior modification!
Perhaps the (maybe) indestructible dog toy is a good start. My father used to employ a squirt gun to “shoot” misbehaving dogs and most of those dogs didn’t like that one bit. They learned not to bother the things that caused them to be squirted. I realize spraying water inside your home is less that ideal, but if push comes to shove …!
I wonder if the simplest measure is to put Ozzie outside when Miss E is playing with her toys, then put the toys away in a closet or lidded toy box before Ozzie comes back indoors. A cake tin or plastic shoe box could safely protect the bottles and sippy cups in the kitchen.
Hope you find a workable solution to this annoying problem!
Hugs!
We have an egg shaped rigid plastic ball for our Rotti. It is indestructible. Here’s a link of one. I don’t know if it’s the same but it looks like it. http://www.amazon.com/Jolly-Pets-Plastic-Ball-12-Inch/dp/B003TAWW9A/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1366724175&sr=1-6
We have an egg shaped rigid plastic ball for our Rotti. It is indestructible. Here’s a link of one. I don’t know if it’s the same but it looks like it. http://www.amazon.com/Jolly-Pets-Plastic-Ball-12-Inch/dp/B003TAWW9A/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1366724175&sr=1-6
A tired dog is a well behaved dog. When our Westie was chewing up sofa pillows we were advised to take him for a long walk every day. Then he was to tired to chew up stuff. Also it was quality attention. He settled down nicely.
Leslie
A tired dog is a well behaved dog. When our Westie was chewing up sofa pillows we were advised to take him for a long walk every day. Then he was to tired to chew up stuff. Also it was quality attention. He settled down nicely.
Leslie
I have a ball from the pet store that is indestructible; Ozzie may want to play with it but he won’t be able to destroy it. I’ve found that my dog doesn’t want to play with something she can’t chew up.
I have a ball from the pet store that is indestructible; Ozzie may want to play with it but he won’t be able to destroy it. I’ve found that my dog doesn’t want to play with something she can’t chew up.
Any thing by Kong.. Nyla Bone is another for chew bones. Our dog is 9 and these have survived whereas lots of other toys were destroyed in less than a day- maybe even an hour or less.
I’ve gotten Millie’s toys from the big box pet stores.
Some of the Kong toys, you can fill with a treat and it keeps the busy.
Any thing by Kong.. Nyla Bone is another for chew bones. Our dog is 9 and these have survived whereas lots of other toys were destroyed in less than a day- maybe even an hour or less.
I’ve gotten Millie’s toys from the big box pet stores.
Some of the Kong toys, you can fill with a treat and it keeps the busy.
OK, I”ve finally stopped laughing enough to comment, dang, he’s the cutest. He’s jealous, plain and simple. My dog had decided to be jealous of the cat, they’ve lived together for 9 years, but now the dog spreads out in front of her food/water bowls and sleeps there, protecting it from the cat!! Good luck.
OK, I”ve finally stopped laughing enough to comment, dang, he’s the cutest. He’s jealous, plain and simple. My dog had decided to be jealous of the cat, they’ve lived together for 9 years, but now the dog spreads out in front of her food/water bowls and sleeps there, protecting it from the cat!! Good luck.
I have a doxie and he loves to chew so I bought him an antler! Here’s what I’d do let little Eva touch it and get her hands all over it (I’ll bet she has good tasting stuff on her hands even when you think they are perfectly clean)then let the dog have it. By the looks of what he’s picking to chew on he enjoys a hard chew. My doxie loves the antler and it has reduced frustration chewing because he will actually go and get his antler when he needs a little chew time.
I have a doxie and he loves to chew so I bought him an antler! Here’s what I’d do let little Eva touch it and get her hands all over it (I’ll bet she has good tasting stuff on her hands even when you think they are perfectly clean)then let the dog have it. By the looks of what he’s picking to chew on he enjoys a hard chew. My doxie loves the antler and it has reduced frustration chewing because he will actually go and get his antler when he needs a little chew time.
Not so funny to you but the posts about Ozzie’s mischief always makes me laugh. No suggestions though. It could be that he is jealous of Eva/doesn’t want to share your attention with her. But he is a rascal regardless, isn’t he.
Not so funny to you but the posts about Ozzie’s mischief always makes me laugh. No suggestions though. It could be that he is jealous of Eva/doesn’t want to share your attention with her. But he is a rascal regardless, isn’t he.
Sorry – I’m not much help. These are just reasons #1225,1226, 1227… that I’m a cat person. Not that I don’t like dogs, but … I’m a cat person. 🙂 Good luck!!
Sorry – I’m not much help. These are just reasons #1225,1226, 1227… that I’m a cat person. Not that I don’t like dogs, but … I’m a cat person. 🙂 Good luck!!
lol, that dog is a big STINKER! ;p On the bright side: he doesn’t proceed to eat the balls…that would be HUGE vet bills. ;p
Dogs learn quickly and they spend a lot of time trying to out smart us. It’s working…it’s working. ;p
lol, that dog is a big STINKER! ;p On the bright side: he doesn’t proceed to eat the balls…that would be HUGE vet bills. ;p
Dogs learn quickly and they spend a lot of time trying to out smart us. It’s working…it’s working. ;p
Try “kong” toys, or a “jolly” ball or maybe a “Beco” bone?
These have all been great with my dogs
Try “kong” toys, or a “jolly” ball or maybe a “Beco” bone?
These have all been great with my dogs
I love that basketball hoop for Eva… too bad that Ozzie did too! That little boy is trouble:)
I love that basketball hoop for Eva… too bad that Ozzie did too! That little boy is trouble:)
Oh, I do love that dog!!!!! When baby Eva is not around, coat one of her balls with Bitter Apple. See if that helps.
Oh, I do love that dog!!!!! When baby Eva is not around, coat one of her balls with Bitter Apple. See if that helps.
Doggie treadmill…
Doggie treadmill…
All I can say is, been there, done that. I liked the suggestion above to keep things put up when she is not there and maybe put him outside when she is. We had to really watch our Welsh and knew his limitations. As he got older, we had to limit his time around the grandkids. I wish you the best of luck….it’s not easy, I know.
All I can say is, been there, done that. I liked the suggestion above to keep things put up when she is not there and maybe put him outside when she is. We had to really watch our Welsh and knew his limitations. As he got older, we had to limit his time around the grandkids. I wish you the best of luck….it’s not easy, I know.
Ok so he’s supposed to look annoying but how cute is he with that scrubber in his mouth! Sorry no suggestions, don’t have a dog, but that sippy cup is just what my lids looked like after my youngest son got through with them 🙂
Ok so he’s supposed to look annoying but how cute is he with that scrubber in his mouth! Sorry no suggestions, don’t have a dog, but that sippy cup is just what my lids looked like after my youngest son got through with them 🙂
We have bitter apple spray from the pet store to use when chewing is a problem. That might be something to consider but you’d have to keep it away from Eva. Heavy Kong toys would help Ozzie but that’s not really the problem!! He wants HER stuff!!! Do they make Kong sippy cups?
We have bitter apple spray from the pet store to use when chewing is a problem. That might be something to consider but you’d have to keep it away from Eva. Heavy Kong toys would help Ozzie but that’s not really the problem!! He wants HER stuff!!! Do they make Kong sippy cups?
Right now Copper’s favorite toy is the ‘Wubba’ by Kong. It looks a squid. When we had a similar basketball goal we would store the ball up high so the dog couldn’t get it. Then we only played ball when the dog was outside, away from the basketball goal. That may not be possible for you, depending on if Ozzie goes outside by himself or not. I know keeping little toys away from dogs isn’t easy!
Right now Copper’s favorite toy is the ‘Wubba’ by Kong. It looks a squid. When we had a similar basketball goal we would store the ball up high so the dog couldn’t get it. Then we only played ball when the dog was outside, away from the basketball goal. That may not be possible for you, depending on if Ozzie goes outside by himself or not. I know keeping little toys away from dogs isn’t easy!
Your story made me giggle, but when I got to the picture of Ozzie I couldn’t help but say, ‘Awwww!’ He’s so cute. It reminded me of a time I was dog-sitting a friend’s yellow lab in my home. She demanded constant attention, and for the 5 minutes that I left her to her own devices while I ate my breakfast she chewed my blood pressure cuff. That was $50 down the drain. I didn’t have the heart to tell her ‘parents’ about it when they returned.
Your story made me giggle, but when I got to the picture of Ozzie I couldn’t help but say, ‘Awwww!’ He’s so cute. It reminded me of a time I was dog-sitting a friend’s yellow lab in my home. She demanded constant attention, and for the 5 minutes that I left her to her own devices while I ate my breakfast she chewed my blood pressure cuff. That was $50 down the drain. I didn’t have the heart to tell her ‘parents’ about it when they returned.
I’m sorry! It drives me nuts when my dogs are destructive. Whenever my dogs get naughty, they need more exercise. Also, I had to specifically train my dogs not to touch the baby/kid stuff.
I have one dog that the only way to get him enough exercise is a trip to the dog park in the morning and a long walk in the evening.
Good luck!
I’m sorry! It drives me nuts when my dogs are destructive. Whenever my dogs get naughty, they need more exercise. Also, I had to specifically train my dogs not to touch the baby/kid stuff.
I have one dog that the only way to get him enough exercise is a trip to the dog park in the morning and a long walk in the evening.
Good luck!
My local vet suggested rubbing the things you don’t want chewed with citronella and offering an alternative that they can chew. It worked for my dog, I chose some old things to rub over but she got the message pretty quickly and only played with her own toys after a few days. Other than that all you could do would be to confine the dog whilst Eva plays but personally I prefer method one then they can play together.
My local vet suggested rubbing the things you don’t want chewed with citronella and offering an alternative that they can chew. It worked for my dog, I chose some old things to rub over but she got the message pretty quickly and only played with her own toys after a few days. Other than that all you could do would be to confine the dog whilst Eva plays but personally I prefer method one then they can play together.
He is adorable. Our Welsh Terrier is 14, deaf, has cancer and I think has alzheimer. What I wouldn’t give for a few more years of her nonsense…..The spray bottle with water really works, after a few days you might be able to just hold the bottle and he will change his plans, worked for us, but each dog is different and Ozzie might like to get squirted. I will never forget the orange shoes…….
He is adorable. Our Welsh Terrier is 14, deaf, has cancer and I think has alzheimer. What I wouldn’t give for a few more years of her nonsense…..The spray bottle with water really works, after a few days you might be able to just hold the bottle and he will change his plans, worked for us, but each dog is different and Ozzie might like to get squirted. I will never forget the orange shoes…….
My doberman, Max, loves to chew. Any toys I buy last mere minutes, before I’m picking up the ‘bits’.
Max discovered our wood pile and my problems were solved. He goes to the wood pile and chooses his own. The bigger the stick the better. Sometimes they’re so fat, they don’t fit in his mouth and others are so long, he needs a 4 foot clearance to run.
He has a pile of sticks and loves them!
Because I’ve heard sticks are not great for his teeth, Max eats raw chicken necks each night. The vet said his gums and teeth are in great condition, so that’s my suggestion…..the wood pile!
PS Hubby hates it though, because mowing around all the wood is a pain in the …..!
My doberman, Max, loves to chew. Any toys I buy last mere minutes, before I’m picking up the ‘bits’.
Max discovered our wood pile and my problems were solved. He goes to the wood pile and chooses his own. The bigger the stick the better. Sometimes they’re so fat, they don’t fit in his mouth and others are so long, he needs a 4 foot clearance to run.
He has a pile of sticks and loves them!
Because I’ve heard sticks are not great for his teeth, Max eats raw chicken necks each night. The vet said his gums and teeth are in great condition, so that’s my suggestion…..the wood pile!
PS Hubby hates it though, because mowing around all the wood is a pain in the …..!
Nicole, When my youngest daughter moved back in with her our two oldest grandson’s, they were both babies and we ended up raising them for the next twelve years. We also had two dogs that had been pure angels before they moved in. When we started taking care of the babies, our furry kids lost much of the center ring attention they had known since we got them as tiny puppies and both of them became a bit destructive. Not just with the kids toys, but also their own and then they started in on the socks, shoes and slippers. They never, ever took any aggressive action toward the boys, they absolutely loved them, but they destroyed a lot of items before we talked to the vet and she told us to be sure to pay some “special attention” and spend some play time with the dogs, not only when the boys were napping or in bed for the night, but also when we were doing activities with the boys, inside and outdoors as well. She said they don’t need equal time, nor do they have to be included in everything you do. They just need to be acknowledged by little things like throwing one of their toys and having the boys, even as tiny toddlers, throw them too. Maybe stopping what we were doing for a minute to scratch them in the favorite spot and give them a treat. Just little things that take seconds to do. I was amazed at how quickly the destructive behavior turned into buddy time with the boys. Instead of chewing up the babies toys, they would still pick them up and bring them to us or the boys but we would take them and tell them NO, exchanging the babies toy for one of the dogs favorite toys and then tossing it for them or playing a little game of tug o war with them. The bonus was, before long, the dogs were the boys best buddies. Keeping them entertained with games of fetch and often just curling up in the room where we were as close to the little ones as they could get. So, this long detailed story could have simply said, Ozzie just wants more attention and to feel special, cause he lost his spot when you started babysitting sweet Eva. But I have to say too, that in all the years I have been reading your blog, Ozzie has always been been a bit a destroyer. But that too seemed to be when you were quilting and he probably wasn’t getting the attention he wanted then. I especially remember a trip to the vet for a problem after he had swallowed some thread (I think), plus pictures of shoes he had left in tiny pieces for you. But when I am totally involved with my sewing, my furry kids with come into my room and bark at me, telling me it’s time for a break and a scratch, maybe a little treat too. For us, a little extra attention went a very long way. I hope it will do the same for you if you try it. Good luck with this, sometimes it is a tough nut to crack. Hugs…
Nicole, When my youngest daughter moved back in with her our two oldest grandson’s, they were both babies and we ended up raising them for the next twelve years. We also had two dogs that had been pure angels before they moved in. When we started taking care of the babies, our furry kids lost much of the center ring attention they had known since we got them as tiny puppies and both of them became a bit destructive. Not just with the kids toys, but also their own and then they started in on the socks, shoes and slippers. They never, ever took any aggressive action toward the boys, they absolutely loved them, but they destroyed a lot of items before we talked to the vet and she told us to be sure to pay some “special attention” and spend some play time with the dogs, not only when the boys were napping or in bed for the night, but also when we were doing activities with the boys, inside and outdoors as well. She said they don’t need equal time, nor do they have to be included in everything you do. They just need to be acknowledged by little things like throwing one of their toys and having the boys, even as tiny toddlers, throw them too. Maybe stopping what we were doing for a minute to scratch them in the favorite spot and give them a treat. Just little things that take seconds to do. I was amazed at how quickly the destructive behavior turned into buddy time with the boys. Instead of chewing up the babies toys, they would still pick them up and bring them to us or the boys but we would take them and tell them NO, exchanging the babies toy for one of the dogs favorite toys and then tossing it for them or playing a little game of tug o war with them. The bonus was, before long, the dogs were the boys best buddies. Keeping them entertained with games of fetch and often just curling up in the room where we were as close to the little ones as they could get. So, this long detailed story could have simply said, Ozzie just wants more attention and to feel special, cause he lost his spot when you started babysitting sweet Eva. But I have to say too, that in all the years I have been reading your blog, Ozzie has always been been a bit a destroyer. But that too seemed to be when you were quilting and he probably wasn’t getting the attention he wanted then. I especially remember a trip to the vet for a problem after he had swallowed some thread (I think), plus pictures of shoes he had left in tiny pieces for you. But when I am totally involved with my sewing, my furry kids with come into my room and bark at me, telling me it’s time for a break and a scratch, maybe a little treat too. For us, a little extra attention went a very long way. I hope it will do the same for you if you try it. Good luck with this, sometimes it is a tough nut to crack. Hugs…
He’s definitely showing signs of jealousy. He likes to have attention when you are preoccupied by the baby or your sewing. You have to remember that everything on the floor that Eva can reach is in his ‘territory’. I would try the Kongs and put peanut butter inside it. If he likes PB he could spend a long time trying to get it out. Costco and Sams carry dog toys that are tough to destroy. So I would get him his own toys and give him some nice long walks, with Eva in the stroller.
He’s definitely showing signs of jealousy. He likes to have attention when you are preoccupied by the baby or your sewing. You have to remember that everything on the floor that Eva can reach is in his ‘territory’. I would try the Kongs and put peanut butter inside it. If he likes PB he could spend a long time trying to get it out. Costco and Sams carry dog toys that are tough to destroy. So I would get him his own toys and give him some nice long walks, with Eva in the stroller.
He is so cute. Poor little jealous guy. You might want to think about keeping the balls put away until it is time for the baby to play with them. Also, when it is time for the baby to play ball, perhaps that might be a time to put Ozzie on a leash. That way at least he would be easier to catch. A nice walk with everyone might be a good idea too. Then you can show off your sweet granddaughter to the neighborhood, and Ozzie gets the exercise he needs. I agree with another comment, a tired dog is a well behaved dog.
He is so cute. Poor little jealous guy. You might want to think about keeping the balls put away until it is time for the baby to play with them. Also, when it is time for the baby to play ball, perhaps that might be a time to put Ozzie on a leash. That way at least he would be easier to catch. A nice walk with everyone might be a good idea too. Then you can show off your sweet granddaughter to the neighborhood, and Ozzie gets the exercise he needs. I agree with another comment, a tired dog is a well behaved dog.
My only idea would be keeping the dogs play area completely separate to Eva’s when she’s at your house.
My only idea would be keeping the dogs play area completely separate to Eva’s when she’s at your house.
Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie.
Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie.
Our 1 year old shih-tzu goes after my daughter’s things too. I’m not sure if he senses that he is the “alpha” over her or if he just likes her stuff and the way it smells or if it’s just so easy to get her stuff because she leaves it around. He ate 3 pairs of glasses in the last 2 months. Good thing we had Lenscrafters insurance AND that the dog and daughter are so cute or I would have killed them both.
Our 1 year old shih-tzu goes after my daughter’s things too. I’m not sure if he senses that he is the “alpha” over her or if he just likes her stuff and the way it smells or if it’s just so easy to get her stuff because she leaves it around. He ate 3 pairs of glasses in the last 2 months. Good thing we had Lenscrafters insurance AND that the dog and daughter are so cute or I would have killed them both.
. . .but he is SO CUTE! I know our grandboys didn’t get a lot of ballplaying time in here with a 130 lb. Black Lab around.
. . .but he is SO CUTE! I know our grandboys didn’t get a lot of ballplaying time in here with a 130 lb. Black Lab around.
But he is sooooooooo cute! You can’t be angry at him for too long. 🙂
But he is sooooooooo cute! You can’t be angry at him for too long. 🙂