Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

My otherwise wonderfully-trained and well-behaved 3 year old Lab Norton has been acting out lately and it has me very upset.

He's "going" in the middle of the lawn instead of his usual spot around the back of the house.
He is destroying all of my son's toys if they are left out, I won't even TELL you about the very expensive item he destroyed Friday night.
He totally ripped the screen off the front door and now it's in the garbage and I have no screen, just the frame of the door until we put the glass in.
Everyday we come home to something else chewed to shreds.
My son's stuffed animals are being stolen by Norton because he LOVES stuffed animals and has a ton of his own.

Now I don't know about anyone else, but I really don't have the time every morning to go into every room in the house gathering all of my sons toys and finding a place where they won't be destroyed. I try my best, but something always gets found by him.

Norton has definitely become a little depressed lately, DH has been working insane hours and I frankly don't have much time left to take him for walks, I can't leave the house if the baby is sleeping, so basically he's taking out his frustration with not being "top dog" anymore.

Anyone go through this?

Suggestions?
This is really getting to be too much!

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

I've been having the same problem with my cat Sasha, who is 8. She has been peeing on my living room rug. It has gotten so bad that I finally rolled the rug up and put it away because I was tired of trying to clean it. Now we just don't have a rug in the living room. I am also at my wit's end! Anyone know a "pet whisperer" that may be able to help?!??!?

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

Have you though about investing in hiring a trainer (Mutt Manners, etc)? Or if that's too much $$ maybe hiring a dog walker? I think they run about $15 a day. That might help.

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

no advice sorry just wanted to give you some I hope you can get him figured out...hes having a rough time by the sounds of it!

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

I sooo feel your pain. Abby is OBSESSED with Jack's toys. He got a ball pit for his birthday - she has punctured almost all of the balls in it.

The Melissa and Doug puzzles - she has eaten all of the puzzle pieces.

She has claimed the Backyardigan couch as her own.

She poops wherever/whenever she feels like it.

She is such an amazing dog in other ways though that we kind of just overlook it - even though it kills me.

Message edited 7/21/2008 11:39:57 AM.

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

Posted by chikita315

Have you though about investing in hiring a trainer (Mutt Manners, etc)? Or if that's too much $$ maybe hiring a dog walker? I think they run about $15 a day. That might help.

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

I have two dogs...and they are both nuts. Im investing in a dog trainer. Mutt Matters is coming here on Saturday for the first session. They will do a free in home consultation. They promised what sounds like miracles to me...I need ceasar milan.
Ill let you know how it goes!

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

When we leave the house, any stray items have to get thrown in the PNP or our lab will chew on them. Maybe just get a toy chest you can quickly throw stuff in? I only let the big toys stay out because the dog has no interest in them. I also close DSs door when we're not in it or when we go out to keep the pets out.

We also find one short walk or 15min of DH throwing the frisbee in the yard at night, is enough to make our dog happy with us for the day. If we don't do at least that, he grabs something.

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

our kids don't have stuffed animals downstairs - they would be destroyed. The dog does not go into their rooms - so they are usually safe there.

When I went back to work, I actually took the dog to my parent's house - so he wouldn't be too lonely, on the days that DH didn't work from home. It sounded silly to some people, but we are/were trying to be proactive with the dog and kids.

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

my dog has regressed a bit too....it does not help that mikayla terrorizes her, she runs after Sandy screeching and trying to pull her tail. I make sure to tell MIkayla to "make nice" to sandy. Sandy is VERY mild mannered but she is definitely different since we have mikayla

I try to show the dog tons of affection and when she is good about getting terrorized (she usually walks away or kisses mikayla until SHE walks away), I make sure to give her LOTS of praise

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

I can totally sympathize.....our lab henry was having some 'issues' with pooping because he wanted attention...so I make it a point to take him for even just a short walk if I can't go for a long one. My DH also works long hours, so I have to take the baby with us---which is sometimes a challenge in itself trying to control the stroller and a large dog. We have a fenced in backyard, so I can also let him out and throw the ball for him but still hear the monitor if DS is sleeping. Its tough, DS has to come first, but the dog still needs attention. If its just too much between work and what not, I would try to see about hiring a dog walker, it really may help!

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

UGH, I feel your pain. Although Barney is not eating as many items as your lab. (he only stelas things when we are right there...obvious cry for attention). He is so much more hyper than he used to be, always getting int he way, jumping all over the place, on and on.

We really are just trying to praise him like crazy when he is with Parker. If we take Parker for a walk I insist we bring the dog(he needs it)

I don't have an answer, just sympethizing

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

We crate our dogs and have a midday walker come. The crating keeps them safe and out of trouble. The walk has defintely helped. They are little so a short walk goes a long way. I wish I could afford doggie daycare a couple days a week because I know they would be blissfully happy there. I just think you have to make time for walks and play.

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

EXERCISE!!!!!!! I think this is a dog that just needs more to tire him out.

My dog is a de-stuffer, too and we never leave stuffed toys where he can get them. Those either go where he cannot get them or they get put away right after DS is done playing.

Re: Help!!! Parents with pets....little long, sorry

I would first call your vet and make sure that there is not a medical reason for the behaviour.

ITA with the above posters. It sounds a bit like your pup needs more interaction, whether with you or with a dog walker. You are indeed doing the right thing in that you are praising the good behaviour.