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BAD, BAD doggy!
We thought we had solved the separation anxiety/boredom issue with a really big bone. We have gone more than two weeks without any destruction in the house. So, since I was only going to be gone about two hours, today was the test. I left the door to the spare bedroom unlatched enough that it was closed, but if she wanted to, she could nudge it open. Delta goes into this room all the time when we are home, sniffs around, and walks out again.
Well. I was gone about three hours and Delta had totally outdone herself. I came home to: the door to the bedroom wide open; my computer cords all over the living room; my travel pillow in the middle of the rug; two of my crew baseball caps and the paper bag they were in, shredded (the bag, not the hats) in the middle of the rug; two candle stick Christmas wreaths shredded; a Christmas decoration that was just plain old eaten; and a shredded 2" x 3" package of silica drying beads torn open and all over the floor. You know, the ones that say DO NOT CONSUME.
The Christmas decoration was in the shape of an apple and was made of styrofoam, glitter and clear seed beads. She ate so much of it, the only reason I knew it was consumed is because I saw a little chunk of it and thought it was a molar that she had ripped out.
I call the vet "What do I need to do" uhm, get her in here. So, back down the mountain we go. They take x-rays and sure enough she has metallic tinsel stuff in her tummy. They give her eye drops that make her vomit and surprise, up comes styrofoam chunks and clear beads.
Delta gets to spend the night at the vets, because the medicine made her too sick to get her up the mountain (I guess she'll throw up at least two more times tonight) and in case she did eat any of the silica beads they will be on the look out for blockages, etc.
The vets comment was, "well she IS still just a puppy" Yeah, a 16 month old, now 48 kg, puppy. She reminded me the large breeds stay puppies until they are 18-24 months old. Great, I can't wait for the teen years 
You know, there were rock solid reasons I didn't want to have kids...
Re: BAD, BAD doggy!
Wedding stuff.
2012 Reading Challenge
BFP Apr 2012, EDD Dec 19 2012 * twin h/b at 6wk, 9wk scan * Baby A lost at 12wks, Baby B was my rainbow born at 36wks
The "suggestion" was even more comical than the destruction. She said to take an empty milk carton, put a few pieces of treats in there and freeze it. Supposedly this will keep her entertained for hours and she can't hurt herself with it.
Yeah, ok Miss Vet, did you just listen to the list of Delta's deeds? You seriously think a milk bottle is going to amuse this dog for more than an hour?!
We have tried the Kong filled with treats and frozen dog food. We aren't sure how long that lasts her, but judging by the shredded newspapers we used to find, it wasn't long enough. The BIG bone was working, until she got the chance to find something new.
I think she might be too old to start crating, but I will look into it further.
Pineapple, I am looking at the Buster Cube, and possibly D.A.P. The problem with D.A.P is that only sell the plug in spray in Australia, not the collars. The sprays are $75 a piece and we would need three to cover the area. with $150 in refills every month. I am looking into having the collars shipped from the US.
Been there, done that, come home to complete destruction and mulitple vet bills! I feel your pain my dear!
Kong toys, bone, etc never worked for Marilyn's separation anxiety. We either had to crate her or eventually when she hurt herself trying to get out of the crate the vet put her on ClomiCalm (http://www.clomicalm.novartis.us/).
She was on that for 3 or 4 years and it really helped. It didn't change her personality at all, just helped with the "crazies in her head". She's been off of it for a full year now and is perfectly fine. Change seems to bring it out in her again, so I am a little nervous about the big move back.
My Israel Blog!
Oh no, I am so sorry this happened but I'm glad she is going to be ok.
And your vets suggestion sucks! I cannot imagine a dog being entertained by treats in a milk jug for a few hours. A few minutes maybe. My dogs would be bored with it after 3 mins.
aMrs - a dog is NEVER too old to start crating. A lot of the dogs who come from rescue at various ages end up being crate trained. It can really make things good for a dog, though not for all of them. It is worth checking out.
Woot! Clomicalm is available down here, so if push comes to shove, we at least have that option open to us.
Pineapples - I'll talk to the vet a bit more tomorrow about our options and I'll stop at the rescue too on the way home.
As we were cleaning up the mess, we found even MORE stuff she got into. She pulled the eyes off of a stuffed platypus. But, she didn't move the platypus. She ripped out an eye, brought it to the living room, chewed it to bits, and then went back, ripped out the 2nd eye, and repeated.
She was purposely bringing items out one by one and when she got bored with one thing, went back to get something else! As H was cleaning, he kept asking what I had done to make her so mad.
She is a Bull Mastiff cross and we think the cross is Rottweiler.
We haven't found a Nylabone down here, but she does love the kangaroo tail bones and I don't know what animal the other big bone is from. We finally got her interested in playing with her rope toy and H went and lost it.
Obedience class should be fun tonight.
I will totally send you a Nylabone if you want. I LOVE them for Penny, they are the only thing she hasn't chewed through yet LOL The rope toy is great too. Hope obedience class goes well