Digger the Dog aka-bad dog

[schippsmom]

:Dog_run:

I need help!! For the past two weeks Re-Run has been having issues with me taking the kids to the bus. I am gone less then 10 minutes and in that time he digs up the potted plants I have in the living room. I hate to put him in the crate for 10 minutes and we do rush around in the am. I know waking up earlier so I have time to crate him is an option but for 10 minutes?? He should be able to be left out for 10 minutes without getting in trouble.

I did spray the spanish moss on top of the dirt with bitter apple and that worked for one day. I also left the bottle of bitter apple next to the plant and that worked for a day but today I forgot and had a huge mess to clean up whan I got back.

How can I keep him out of the plants????????

Paula & Re-Run

[kendalyn]

Take him with you to the bus stop? :lol:

This is kind of an odd idea but you could try training him by leaving and peeking into one of the windows. If you see him go for a plant you could use an air horn to startle him. I don't know if this would work, but it's the first thing that came to mind. You might look really silly peeking into your window and blowing an airhorn intermittently though!

[Guest Anonymous]

*Deleted*

[DogPaddle]

I like the idea of "leaving" and peeking in the window on him - give the window a good rapping if you catch him. I couldn't do it with my dogs though, they would know I was there. If you have the same problem you could make a "trap." Take an empty pop can fill it with nuts, screws or something, tape the top closed and attatch fishing line or thread to it. Set it up so if he disturbs the plant the can falls - it should make plenty of noise. Pre-train him by shaking the can and saying no very firmly when he does something wrong prior to doing this. You could also try covering the around the base of the plants with tinfoil - this seems to work for some cats and dogs.

[eric]

What's wrong with putting him in the crate? This is hardly cruel, especially for 10 minutes.

Otherwise, I agree with the other posts. You need to get your dog to associate digging in the plants with something bad.

[mouseatthebusstop]

I would take him with you

[schippsmom]

:Dog_run:

Scott and I were discussing options and taking him with us means a muddy car-inside. I don't mind a little dirt on the outside but I just got the car in November and I really don't want it trashed on the inside. Once spring comes and the ground dries out that is what we do.

Scott also said that he leaves him out of his crate when he gets home and goes outside to do a few things without him and Re-Run doesn't touch the plants. I guess I'll have to carry him out. I really don't do mornings very well :lol:

Oh the peeking in the window won't work, it's a bay window and he would be able to see me.

I hate to put him in the crate again, he's in there all night and when we're at work....maybe I will try that, until the ground dries.

Paula & Re-Run

[Guest Anonymous]

*Deleted*

[schippsmom]

:Dog_run:

Jennie, I am definately pro crate, I just don't get to spend the time with him in the am that he should get. I'm feeling guilty about it I guess. I'm thinking I'll try taking him with me and the kids and if it's too much, I'll crate. Oh, he's a Schipperke, a small one-12.8#s.

Paula & Re-Run

[Guest Anonymous]

*Deleted*

[schippsmom]

:Dog_run:

Yes Jennie, he is barky, no one gets anywhere near the house without him letting us know about it. Let me correct that, nothing gets near the house, he has even alerted us to wind before. We are getting a little better control of the barking with food, sort of. It's hard to distract him once he's on to something.

He does love to dig. He does it up at our cabin all weekend but here there is too much grass to dig through and Scott yells at him. So he gets his fill at camp. Maybe he is telling me it's time to go up there.

Yesterday, no digging, today was a bad morning.

Gotta get to work,

Paula&Re-Run