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dog, you're driving me nuts
Any suggestions on how to deal with a dog who is being naughty after we brought the babe home?
If my dog could read, this is what I'd write her...
Oh dog...how I love you, you were our first baby and still my #1 girl. However, I really am over you "acting out" now that your little brother is here. You are amazing with him, so patient and caring, always making sure we are attending to his needs. Ever since we brought him home you are getting into things, such as the mail & pulling/eating books off the shelf, that you would have never thought about getting into before. Albeit it's nothing to important (maybe you're helping me sort through the junk mail?), it's still SUPER annoying. I used to brag about how amazing you were, never eating anything that wasn't yours. Why now? Are you jealous? We give you tons of attention still and make time exclusively for you everyday - you even still get your daily run/walk in rain, snow, or shine. Your behavior regressed when we first brought him home, and then you got better, but now that I'm back to work, you're doing it again. Dad no longer trusts you, and that's why you don't get to free roam the house anymore, but instead spend your days in your crate. I hate putting you in your crate, I prefer to imagine you spending your days laying on the couch watching The Ellen Show & getting a sip of water from the toilet at your leisure.
The worst part pooch? You KNOW you're being naughty. It's really aggravating to mom & dad. We want to trust you again, but feel like we're back to ground zero - the puppy stage, where we slowly let you gain your independence from the crate. Will you ever shape back up into my awesome little brown lady?
Love you for always-
Mom.
Re: dog, you're driving me nuts
It sounds like you just went back to work?
It could be the stress of not having you home during the day. The crate is a great place - keeps her and your belongings safe.
What breed is the dog out of curiosity?
I have a Jack Russell mix, and he is very well-behaved most of the time, except when there is change. I got him when he was just a puppy, and he is definitely like my first child. I took him with me when I went away to college, and it was just me and him. When I moved in with my boyfriend (now husband), we got a second dog, and he got very jealous and started acting out. He would look right at me and do something he knew he shouldn't, like bark at nothing or pee in the corner. They are definitely acting out for attention. For my dog, it happens every time we move to a new place or change our routine in any dramatic way, and going back to work is definitely a dramatic change for her. Keep giving her designated time so that she still feels loved and important. Remember dogs are people pleasers, so make sure you give her positive reinforcement as much as possible, and don't focus as much on the negativity. If she does something wrong, tell her "no", but then follow by something positive. For example, if she is chewing on something she isn't supposed to, take it away, say "no", then give her a toy, or something else she is allowed to chew on, and tell her "good". It's very important to discipline dogs when they are "caught in the act" and not afterwards. Otherwise they will not associate their bad behavior with the discipline. It took my dog a couple weeks to get back into his normal routines and good behavior after our most recent change (getting a new puppy), but he is doing really well now. Just be patient, and good luck!
Lucy is a boxer/american bulldog mix. I totally get this is a huge & stressful transition on her and I'm trying really hard to be patient. I went back to work 4 weeks ago.
She mostly causes trouble when we aren't home (hence her spending time in her crate again). They always say don't punish unless you catch them in the act - so its impossible, although she KNOWS she was naughty when we get home. When she gets into something while we're gone, she greats us at the door with her ears down & tail between her legs, not her usual excited self.
There are times she will jump on the counter to get food with me standing RIGHT next to her or times she'll get into the kitchen garbage with me 3 feet away.
Everyday when I come home, I make sure to give her individual attention. She also gets a daily 1.5-2 mile walk or run. My husband & I make an effort to give her love after the baby goes to bed. I have been trying to tell her "good girl" and pet her when she's just hanging out, so she knows I haven't forgotten about her.
I know this is a phase, but I miss my good girl
Adventure's In Willyland